
Proposed Zinc Mine in the Heart of Maine’s Northwoods Considered, Despite Opposition from Scientists, Sportsmen, and Tribes
In the heart of Maine’s Northwoods, the inexperienced and underfunded Wolfden Resources Corporation seeks approval to construct a zinc metal mine.
Maine’s Northwoods territory represents the largest contiguous stretch of forest East of the Mississippi, containing habitat for numerous threatened and endangered species, as well as large stretches of the famous Appalachian Trail, Baxter State Park, and the newly designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.
Canadian-based Wolfden Resources Corporation Inc. has proposed a several hundred acre mining development termed the “Wolfden Mine” in the heart of this critical forest at Pickett Mountain.
The company has never before operated a mine, and has been caught in outright lies about the environmental safety standards of their proposal. Furthermore, they have continuously shown contempt for Maine state law as well as the Maliseet and Penobscot tribes opposed to their project.
The mine site itself sits adjacent to state heritage fishing waters, and would directly damage critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon, brook trout, landlocked salmon, and other iconic Maine species such as moose and the threatened Canada lynx that call these forests home.
Additionally, run-off from this mine would drain directly into the Penobscot River Watershed, waters not only sacred to the tribes in the region but also crucial to many freshwater fisheries and Maine’s outdoor tourism economy.
Despite facing broad opposition from scientists, environmental organizations, sportsmen, Maine guides, and local tribes, this proposal is still being considered by the Land Use Planning Commission for potential approval.
This is the stream that leads directly out of the mine site itself at Pickett Mountain Pond. The yellow and black striped sign indicates snow mobile crossings in winter, highlighting how much this area is used during the winter season.
A sign delineates State Heritage Fish Waters for Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Grass Pond. This area is critically important habitat for several different species, including Landlocked Salmon (Salmo salar sebago) and endangered Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), but is particularly important to Brook Trout. Maine is the only state in the lower 48 with extensive wild Brook Trout populations (non-stocked), and this area in particular is very important habitat for them.
One of the local guides fly fishing at his favorite spot near Shin Brook Falls, a few miles West of Pickett Mountain and the proposed mine site. He fishes the area nearly every evening, catching copious amounts of Landlocked Salmon and Brook Trout.
A landlocked Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar sebago) on the fly fishing lure. One of the most popular species of fish to catch, this juvenile Landlocked Salmon is a subspecies of Atlantic Salmon that has been cut off from the sea. The mine impacted waters are important habitat for these fish.
An angler brings in a fish on a line in clear, clean waters near the mine site. The river appears dark from all of the tannins in the plants that grow in thick healthy stands on its shores.
An array of fly fishing lures at a local shop in the nearby town of Patten, within view of Pickett Mountain. Fly fishing represents a significant part of local income in the remote area through tours, lodges, guiding, bait and tackle sales, and more. Without the nearby healthy waters, the local economy would be heavily dependent on the mine, and would be left high and dry after the mine departed in 3-5 years.
Shin Falls, or Shin Brook Falls, a well-loved waterfall throughout New England. At over 30 feet tall with beautiful cascades, home to many native fish species. The waterfall sits just a few miles west of the proposed mine site.
The West Branch Mattawamkeag stream above Pleasant Lake. This river is on the proposed mine site, and is critical habitat for Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and spawning habitat for Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). While photographing this stream, I had to continuously sidestep large piles of moose and bear scat, highlighting the areas abundant wildlife. If the mine is built, this river would carry heavy metals and sulfuric acid from the mine runoff to the Penobscot River, a major river that runs most of the length of the state. This would not only make this area uninhabitable for wildlife and toxic for people, but pollute one of the state's most important waterways.
Pickett Mountain as viewed from Grass Pond through a stand of Northern White Cedars (Thuja occidentalis). Grass Pond is another important spawning site for Brook Trout, and had copious amounts of moose sign. While shooting, we heard Osprey, and saw loons and other waterfowl on the pond itself. If the mine is built, this pond would be polluted with the mine's runoff and become uninhabitable for wildlife.
A pair of female Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa), seen in the early morning light floating down waterways that would be impacted by the mine's construction.
Northern Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia purpurea), a carnivorous plant native to Maine, growing in Sphagnum Moss (Sphagnum sp.) on the proposed mine site. The Wolfden mine would make this landscape uninhabitable for most plant life, including these unique and sensitive plants.
Wood Sorrel (Oxalis sp.) and Gold Thread (Coptis trifolia) growing amongst mushrooms and moss on the proposed mine site.
Ramaria Coral Mushroom (Ramaria sp.) growing in the leaf litter of an American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) in the woods of the proposed mine site.
Bright red mushrooms growing along a game trail in the thick woods surrounding Grass Pond. If the mine were to be constructed, Grass Pond is one of the bodies of water that would be entirely polluted by the mine's runoff.
The West Branch Mattawamkeag above Grass Pond on proposed mine site. Once again depicting crucial habitat for native fishes.
Pickett Mountain Pond Stream with some striking foliage in fall colors, the included foliage are a handful of iconic species of the region. Especially the red and green, which is Hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides), a favorite browse of moose and deer.
The road to Pickett Mountain at midday in fall colors. This is where the mine proper would be, destroying the mountain in view as well as the surrounding landscape.
Looking out over the wetlands surrounding Pickett Mountain. The waters impacted by the proposed mine at Pickett Mountain are important habitat for fish, moose, lynx, waterfowl, and wading birds.
Pickett Mountain at dusk in fall colors. Looking from the access road to the mine site itself.
The Milky Way over Pickett Mountain as viewed from proposed mine site. This region has some of the darkest skies visible in the Northeastern United States. The light pollution from the mine would not only be disruptive to wildlife and local residents, but also damage the ability to see the night sky.
Pickett Mountain Overlooking Patten. The mountain centered in the shot is Pickett Mountain, where the proposed mine would be. The town below, Patten, is one of the largest towns in the area with a population of 988 people. Patten is also home to Wolfden Resource's current office. The gas station sign pictured on the left is the town's only gas station, doubling as a diner.
One of the locals spearheading the efforts against Wolfden Mine's construction, spends a morning on her porch as we interview her. She told us the stories of Wolfden's efforts to win the public over to the mine's construction, with unfounded promises of jobs, "the most advanced water filtration available", and returning the land to the town after it has been mined. The returned land would not be safe for recreation or habitation due to pollutants from the mine's processes.
Katahdin as viewed from Patten on a cool autumn day. Patten and the mine site are just outside of the newly designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which is currently being considered for designation as a National Park. The stretch of forest that the mine site is a part of represents the largest remaining stretch of contiguous forest east of the Mississippi.
All images for this story taken by Nina Duggan.
Select images from this work used by the Natural Resource Council of Maine in their work opposing the construction of the Wolfden Mine in the Katahdin Region of Maine.