MARQUETTE – Area physicians concerned about the public health implications of a proposed sulfide mine voted overwhelmingly last week to pass a resolution opposing the project.
At a quarterly medical staff meeting, 117 physicians cast their vote in favor of the resolution, which expressed their wish to “urge the Michigan DEQ to deny the permits (air, water, mining, and state land use) for the Kennecott sulfide mine proposed in Marquette County.”
Scott Emerson, MD, was in attendance at the meeting and said the mood was one of euphoria because the physicians were grateful for an opportunity to discuss the project and their concerns.
“Would you allow a surgeon that had a history of complications to work on your mother? That’s really what we’re talking about with this mine, isn’t it,” Emerson said, explaining the comparison of mining to medicine. “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and physicians understand that.”
Emerson, an area emergency physician, said the health of the community was one of the major driving forces behind the vote.
“It’s a health issue and, as physicians, we are concerned about preventative medicine. That means we are concerned about our air and water, too. Many physicians have been told by patients how concerned they are and really wanted the medical community to stand up for their health concerns,” he explained.
Prior to the vote, physicians discussed a number of concerns in addition to the health implications, including inadequate hydrology studies, potential for Lake Superior contamination, air exhaust carrying particulate dust, and general errors and assumptions that do not meet state environmental statutes.
In addition, Emerson said there is general concern about what he called a “threshold phenomenon.”
“You’re opening the gates. This isn’t about approving one mine, but opening the gates to 20, 30 or more. That’s what physicians are also worried about. Is that part of the DEQ calculation? We don’t think so,” he explained.
The resolution passed by the physicians was read in Lansing Wednesday at the final public hearing on the proposed sulfide mine.
I was very pleased to see the recent stand and voting by 117 Marquette area medical doctors in opposing the Michigan DEQ’s possible permits for the Kennecott Corporation’s Eagle sulfide mining project proposal for Marquette County’s Yellow Dog Plains and watershed.
The considerable negative effects of such a mining project, as stated, would certainly bring contamination and the alarming potential of opening doors to other such projects in the U.P.
Thanks to all of them for stepping forward and being heard on this imnportant issue!