In Reversal on mine shows intrigue, columnist George Weeks takes a look at the circumstances surrounding the proposed Kennecott Eagle project. He notes that:

Of particular interest is how DEQ Director Steven Chester on March 1, in withdrawing the tentative approval because of DEQ’s inadequate consideration of reports questioning “structural integrity of the mine,” did something all too rare in government at all levels: He acknowledged a staff screw-up and ordered a review of the matter during which “affected staff will be reassigned to other projects.” Welcome candor.

Sen. Mike Prusi, D-Ishpeming, a former Steelworkers local president and mine worker, told me Friday after a conference call with Chester and others, that it was apparent that the regulatory process had “fallen apart,” leaving the project for the time being “rocked back (on its) heels.” It seems that someone in the DEQ bureaucracy, upon receiving the critical reports from retained consultants, did not forward them up the line.