January 9, 2007

Failures in permit application overlooked by Governor’s regulators

Despite a seriously flawed permit application and the wishes of thousands of residents, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality granted preliminary approval today to the Kennecott Minerals Co. plan to drill into sulfide rock below the Yellow Dog Plains in northwestern Marquette County.

The DEQ will now continue its technical review and, by law, will make a final decision following another public hearing and comment period. The issuance or final denial of the permit will determine whether the project moves forward.

A host of local groups, including the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Save the Wild UP, Huron Mountain Club, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and others who have been joined in recent months by statewide environmental groups in advocating for a proposed denial, say this proposed decision is wrong for Michigan.

Concerns about the economic stability of the area, the impact on tourism and recreation, human health risks, threat to water quality and environmental impact have united these organizations in their opposition to a type of mining that has a lengthy history of contamination. Since the project, if approved, would generate a small number of temporary jobs, many concerned citizens have said it’s not worth the risk. They express concerns that, once the jobs are long gone, the people of Michigan will be left with the unfortunate legacy of sulfide mining.

In addition, concerns persist about the mining application itself, especially considering the fact that the DEQ itself pointed out 91 information gaps in the document and Kennecott failed to address nearly half of those items. Areas that have been of concern to local residents, like what will happen along transportation routes, have not been addressed by the company or regulators.

“The permit application is filled with ambiguous responses,” said Michelle Halley, attorney for NWF. “Kennecott is expecting the people of Michigan to trust that they can operate a sulfide mine that will not contaminate the surrounding areas, but the track record of both Kennecott and sulfide mining is filled with contamination and inaccurate predictions,” she added. The attorney referenced a recent study that found that faulty water quality predictions and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution problems at more than three quarters of mines studied.

“The DEQ and Governor Granholm have made a grave error in judgment with this proposed decision,” added Halley. “This application is deficient and the operation would undeniably cause pollution. DEQ must step up their technical review and see this project for what it is: a sure polluter. Even the company has admitted that it will exceed Drinking Water standards.”

Cynthia Pryor, executive director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and outspoken advocate on behalf of the region, voiced disagreement with the proposed decision.

“It is astonishing that, with so many areas of Kennecott’s permit application deficient, vague or downright absent, the Michigan DEQ has granted preliminary approval. Utilizing untested technology and with a spotty track record at best, Kennecott has sold the Michigan DEQ a bill of goods and the Michigan DEQ is apparently buying,” said Pryor.

A series of public hearings are expected in coming months, when citizens will once again have an opportunity to address their concerns about the project and its impact on the U.P.’s economy, environmental and quality of life.

“People who care about Marquette County cannot sit on the fence any longer. The time to stop this mine and preserve the uniqueness of this area for future generations is now,” said Pryor.

Paul Townsend, member and immediate past president of the Huron Mountain Club, also disagreed with the proposed decision. “”Michigan’s new law requires that the applicant for a mining permit has the burden of establishing that the mining operation will not pollute, impair or destroy the air, water or other natural resources. MDEQ’s proposed decision cannot withstand scrutiny under that test.”

Susan LaFernier, President of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, also made a statement in response to the decision. “Our Keweenaw Bay Indian Community is very saddened by these actions. The Tribal Council has declared that the proposed mine deeply offends the traditional and cultural values of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Water is a gift of life and is sacred. We do not feel that the environment (air, land, water) is being respected or honored as we have been taught.”

Statements by these organizational leaders mirror public sentiments here in the Upper Peninsula, where hundred have attended public hearings and voiced concerns about the region’s future.

An organized petition drive last fall garnered more than 10,000 signatures in opposition to the mine. Those petitions have since been presented to Governor Jennifer Granholm. Organizers are hoping that those who eagerly signed petitions will attend and express their opposition at the upcoming hearings.

Dick Huey, co-founder of a local grassroots group called Save the Wild UP, echoed those sentiments.

“While we are frustrated by the MDEQ’s inability to recognize the incredible risk represented by the proposed mine, we remind everyone that this is only a proposed acceptance. Together we must continue to send a message to Lansing that a few short-lived jobs aren”t worth the risk to human health, our beautiful recreation areas, and the tourism industry so many have worked hard to build,” he said.

# #Angela Nebel
Summit Public Relations Strategies
906-632-2923
summitpr@sbcglobal.net