Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
Verna Mize may not be a household name around the country. But in the Copper Country many people know of her dedication and commitment to preserving Lake Superior’s beauty. Mize grew up in the Upper Peninsula she was born in Houghton and attended Calumet High School. Before moving away to Maryland for a number of years. After returning to the region one summer in 1967, Mize noticed a significant difference between the lake she remembered and the one she returned to.
“And on a visit back home to the area, she noticed, a stark difference in the beauty and the color of Lake Superior. She was shocked when she found out what happened, Reserve Mining in Minnesota, dumping all of their tailings into the water. She was livid and motivated, to stop this. And well, that took a long time, she started in 1967, I believe. It took 13 years, and in the last five, it had been approved that they had to stop dumping the metals in the water. Which was apparently already six miles into the lake. And there was the last five years caught in litigation and appeals. And it was finally, they were forced to stop dumping in the water in 1980.” Mary Kaminski,Lead Organizer, Verna Mize Triathlon
In Minnesota at the time, tailing from a mine on the est side of lake superior were leaching into the water, causing an excess of metal and mineral deposits in the water. It is estimated that the waste dumped by Reseve Mining exceed more than 50 times the natural sediment deposits of rivers into the lake from the American side. Causing the water to appear somewhat milky. As opposed to the clear water many people expect when visiting the region. Mize was very upset by the lack of regulation or anything being done to protect the pristine waters, she eventually began making noise in both Lansing and in Washington D.C. Speaking with politicians and government officials through thousands of letters about the responsibility mining companies have to act as stewards of the environment, and emphasizing the importance of clean water.
“And she took a jar of Lake Superior water back to Washington D.C., and showed them how bad it was. And it wasn’t just in Minnesota where they were dumping the waste, it was already being dispersed about the lake. And she was not going to have any of that. Verna had said in her letters, that her niece Melissa was kind enough to share with me. That she used to cup her hand and drink Lake Superior water clear. And when she came back on her visit. She had friends tell her, ‘Don’t you dare do that now!’, and that’s what sort of set things off, when she realized just how bad things were even this far east.” Mary Kaminski, Lead Organizer, Verna Mize Triathlon
After gaining support from the public and six Great Lakes region senators, the EPA issued notice to Reserve Mining to submit plans to stop the pollution. To which the company refused, continuing the practice. The Department of Justice then filed suit against the mining company in 1972. Evidence from the trial showed asbestos particles in the water, and water in nearby communities was unsafe, posing a serious public health risk. The court ruled in favor, ordering an end to the waste dumping practices. An appeals court decision later reversed the ruling in favor the Reserve Mining in 1974. Finally in 1980, after years of litigation, Mize and the lake were successful in their charge, with a final court decision ruling ordered the company end its practice of dumping the tailings in the water.
Verna Mize is memorialized by a landmark near the Portage Canal in Houghton, as well as an annual triathlon that traverses the water Mize saved. For those interested in learning more about Verna Mize and the Triathlon go to vernamizetriathlon.com. Organizers of the event are additionally seeking volunteers to help coordinate road crossing and to track race times. Organizers encourage racers of all ages to challenge themselves to complete the three event race. Registration will being on race day, August 5th, at 6:30am. The first group will then leave the starting block at 8am. Followed by the Mini-Mize at 8:01 am.
Verna Mize Triathlon Sign Up Online
To volunteer with the triathlon contact Mary Kaminski at 906-482-2422 or email beach@up.net.
