Citizens push MDEQ to reject proposed mine
Hearings reveal informed citizenry opposed to risky sulfide mine
Marquette, MI – People of all ages, professions, educational backgrounds and income levels spoke as one this week when the overwhelming majority told state regulators in no uncertain terms that permitting a metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains would be a grave mistake.
Over the course of four days of public hearings in Marquette County, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality listened as everyday citizens including doctors, engineers, lawyers, and even miners spoke of air quality, water pollutants, quality of life, and an abiding love for Lake Superior and the Yellow Dog Plains.
What they heard very little of was support for the proposed mine. A handful of individuals with direct financial ties to the proposed mine spoke in favor of the project but were far outnumbered by opponents who expressed concern about the applications submitted by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company and informed skepticism for mining company promises.
Dick Huey, co-founder of Save the Wild UP, reflected on the hearings.
“This has been a week that proved anew that the citizen side of democracy is alive and well. People have learned the issues that plague sulfide mining, they’ve researched their facts, gathered to testify in an orderly way, and have become a tide of opposition to this mine for a host of good reasons. It just remains to be seen if the governmental side of democracy will work as well, or whether politics as usual, big money, and spin will rule the day,” Huey said.
Michelle Halley, attorney for the National Wildlife Federation, commented on the employment-related testimony of the few who spoke in favor of the project.
“There is absolutely nothing in the nonferrous mining law or rules that allows the MDEQ to base this decision on economics – even if the company could prove the state and local governments would get their fair share – which they can’t. MDEQ is charged with evaluating the applications based on whether they meet the required standards, and countless experts have provided irrefutable testimony that Kennecott’s plan will not protect the environment and cannot meet the standards of law,” Halley explained.
Both Huey and Halley were reassured by the testimony of Marquette County citizens.
“The testimony this week provides additional reassurance that we are on firm ground and representing the wishes of the majority,” Halley said, adding, “and convincing MDEQ to grant these permits is just the beginning of the company’s battles. Kennecott is ignoring the fact that the United States Environmental Protection Agency is also requiring federal permits because the mine threatens drinking water; those permitting procedures have barely even begun.”
One inaccuracy that was pointed out by several citizens during testimony was Kennecott’s representation of the situation at its Flambeau mine in Wisconsin. Contrary to company statements that the project received its 2007 Certificate of Completion, Wisconsin court documents show that Kennecott received only a partial certificate of completion due to problems with 32 acres of the site. According to the documents, Kennecott must continue remediation efforts and monitoring of water, soils, crayfish and walleye in that area for a variety of heavy metals. The company, according to court documents, cannot apply for a certificate of completion for at least three years.
“I wonder which 32 acres on the Yellow Dog Plains would be sacrificed if Flambeau is the example to which Kennecott aspires,” Huey remarked. “To label Flambeau a success when 32 acres requires on-going remediation and monitoring because of pollutants in the soil, water, and aquatic life is shameful. Citizens who knew the real facts of Flambeau proved once again that company spin is no match for those willing to dig deeper for the truth,” he said.
The MDEQ panel will accept additional public testimony on September 19 at a hearing in Lansing at the Lansing Center. Written testimony will also be received through October 17.