Rebecca A. Humphries, Director
Phone: 517-373-7917
humphrir@michigan.gov

Department of Natural Resources and Environment,
P.O. Box 30473,
Lansing, MI 48909

To: Director Humphries
DNRE RE: Kennecott Eagle Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains – EPA UIC Permit Requirement

Dear Ms. Humphries, According to the attached letter from the EPA to one of our citizens, not only has the EPA not made a final decision on the UIC permit but they state emphatically that state officials were notified of that fact. (See page 1, para 2)

“We have not yet completed consultation with the Tribe regarding Agency regulation of the redesigned TWIS and will not make A FINAL DECISION on regulation of that system until after further communication with the Tribe. EPA has informed state officials that no decision has been made about the applicability of the UIC regulations to the redesigned TWIS.”

Director Humphries, the surface lease, as you know – states just as emphatically that:

“4. Prior to constructing the mining surface facility on the Premises, Lessee shall acquire all permits necessary for the implementation of this Lease, the Mining and Reclamation Plan, and the Part 632 Mining Permit. Pursuant to this requirement, any such permit must be the final agency action by the permitting agency and Lessee must provide written certification to and receive written acknowledgement from the Lessor that all necessary permits have been obtained.”

The State Surface Lease states that Kennecott must have obtained all permits with a FINAL DECISION before proceeding with this mine. All those arrested for trespassing on state land were wrongfully arrested. All persons removed from Eagle Rock were done so illegally. The fencing in of Eagle Rock, the destruction of acres of old growth forests and the scraping clean of 90 acres of land of all plant life and top soil is illegal, criminal and fraudulent – and our state officials know this and have willfully let citizens of Michigan be maligned and this state public land destroyed.

Director Humphries – when will it end? Kennecott has violated the terms of agreement with the State of Michigan and must be held accountable to that violation of trust, for the destruction of our lands and for the wrongful and violent arrest of its peoples.

Sincerely,