For Immediate Release: April 25, 2018
Contact: Bill Davis, Chapter Director: Bill.Davis@sierraclub.org; (608) 345- 2087
Sierra Club Statement on FoxConn Diversion Application Approval
MADISON- Today, the Department of Natural Resources issued an approval to allow the City of Racine to divert water for FoxConn and its planned operation in Mount Pleasant. The village of Mount Pleasant straddles the divide between the Lake Michigan basin and Mississippi River basin.
In response, Bill Davis, Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter Director released the following statement:
"The Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter is disappointed by the Wisconsin DNR’s decision to approve Foxconn’s proposal to withdraw water from the Great Lakes. Sierra Club is not necessarily opposed to the FoxConn project; however, we believe all projects must comply with the law and follow the rules.
We do not believe this withdrawal request ‘follows the rules’ because it is structured in a way that undermines the Great Lakes Compact. This decision affects all ten Great Lake States and Provinces as it potentially opens the door for other straddling communities all around the lakes. We are concerned about how this affects the authority, stability and enforceability of the Compact. The Great Lakes are one of America’s most important and pristine resources. Proposals to use these resources should not be taken lightly.
In addition, we do not believe this proposal complies with the Wisconsin statutes that require the diversion for a straddling community to be ‘used solely for public water supply purposes,’ which are defined as “serving a group of largely residential customers.” This proposed diversion is for a group of industrial and commercial users and to our knowledge, not residential users. This is another example of putting industry over the people of Wisconsin.
This could have been avoided if FoxConn had simply cited the facility within the basin just a mile and a half or so east of the current location.”
Founded in 1892 by John Muir, the Sierra Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization. The Sierra Club’s mission is to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out those objectives. The Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter is made up of 18,000 members and supporters working to promote clean energy and protect water resources in Wisconsin.