The Mining Action Group is a volunteer, grassroots effort to defend the clean water and wild places of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula from the dangers of sulfide mining – previously known as Save the Wild U.P.
10 thoughts on “Send a Letter to Oppose Kennecott’s Sulfide Mine”
What makes Michigan special are our lakes and other natural resources. It is irresponsible to even think about destroying these with a sulfide mine. Please don’t desecrate our land any more!
Irreparable harm. This is a term of art used in the legal profession when it is arguable that injunctive relief would be appropriate under a given set of facts. My position on this issue is that should the mine be allowed to proceed, irreparable harm would most certainly result in that it could jeopardize one of the last remanining natural spawning coaster brook trout waters in the state. There should be no balancing of the equities because all rational logic points to one conclusion: the UP (and salmon trout river) are too sensitive to such a dangerous and invasive process.
Our Great Lakes waters… so precious… so vital…so irreplaceable. When will our corporations and polititians start preventing health and environmental crisis rather than starting them? Revolution.. is the only way to stop thier greed and evil.
Our Great Lakes waters… so precious… so vital…so irreplaceable. When will our corporations and polititians start preventing health and environmental crisis rather than starting them? Revolution.. is the only way to stop thier greed and evil!!
I had the good fortune of growing up in the U.P. and all I can say is the fact that this beautiful area is in danger of being harmed and not everyone is standing up strong against it is atrocious. Obviously the heads of Kennecott have never spent time relaxing on the shores of Superior or surrounded by the natural beauty of the wild woods. Otherwise, I can’t see how they could possibly make this decision in good conscience. But of course, rarely these days does big business ever do anything in good conscience. It is important to maintain a delicate balance when it comes to development and utilizing our natural resources. We must learn how to use what is there while still respecting the land. And this proposed mine is nothing but flipping Mother Nature the bird!
If the boardmembers and shareholders of Kennecott Mining will drink the run off, I am
all for the new mine. Let the CEO go first –
and all of his family second. Save the World’s largest supply of fresh water – STOP THIS MINE.
My husband and I moved to the Upper Peninsula from overseas. We had discovered Marquette in 1991, and we bought our first property here before returning fulltime to live here in late 1992. We chose this area because of the constellation of lakes and waterfalls. Of coursse, we fell in love with Lake Superior. It never occurred to us that there were more companies who wished to come here to pollute huge tracts of wilderness with untainted watersheds. Shame on those few who staff the DEQ! They and Kennecott never gave off the vibrations of being worried,, even during the public meetings and debates. One almost has the feeling that the outcome was predetermined. . . .
Living in Wisconsin the majority of my life I have frequented Wisconsin’s northwoods and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as scenic and beautiful places to enjoy nature in it’s purity. My absolute favorite destination in the midwest is the McCormick Tract Wilderness Area. Which is now threatened by the seemingly destined encroachment of the Kennecott Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains. Five years ago I moved from Conover, WI and now reside in Phoenix, AZ. So why should I care? With all the beauty and spectacular places to see and visit in the southwest, I burn valuable vacation time and spend my hard earned money to meet up with a friend from Wisconsin to enjoy the McCormick tract once a year for a week in UP paradise. You people in Michigan are truly lucky to have such a wonderful place. Sure the entire Upper Peninsula is beautiful, but the McCormick Tract is a designated Wilderness Area. A 17,000 acre federally protected wilderness area that the McCormick family willed to the USDA, entrusting the government to look after it and act as stewards to the lands and wildlife within it’s borders. For years the USDA/Michigan has done exactly that and a great job. Until now. Now Michigan might allow a sulfide mining operation take place right on it’s borders?! I’m sure I can speak for the McCormick family and say this is NOT what they had in mind. I don’t understand how the DEQ can justifiably grant permits for this. As this is NOT good for the McCormick, the Yellow Dog River/Plains, or Michigan’s environment. I can only hope Michigan’s DNR acts with more sensibility and responsiblity. I understand this will create jobs and provide some economic good for the UP but I don’t think this is a viable answer for Michigan’s unemployment problems. We live in an age where we can see the the direct consequences of errors made in regards to the environment from past generations. Have we learned nothing from this? Setting aside the “Do the right thing” from an environmental standpoint. Think of your tourism. I’m not the only individual to trek across the country to enjoy the UP. I’m not the only tourist who spends money in the UP. There are thousands that come from all over the US to enjoy the Upper Peninsula’s scenery and spend thousands in Michigan’s economy. The Kennecott Mine may deter some tourism. I know if the mine is given a “go”, I will most likely not be back and opt for a trip to the Grand Canyon instead. People of Michigan, please consider the consequnces as they will last generations leaving untold damage, disrupting your pristine lands, waters, and wildlife. You truly have something special, cherish it.
Randy Turley
Let’s make Michigan the state where people want to play and enjoy. Let’s keep the Great Lakes Great. Don’t sell it out.
There is a placemat that I have seen in restaurants that depicts the different cities in Michigan and what has made them famous. It lists the State Flower, Bird and Tree. I find it odd that we just get one of each. This placemat also shows us that we are never more that six miles from a body of water in this great state. What good is this information if the water is poison. There are many qualities and a few curiosities that make Michigan extraordinary. But honestly, it’s the water. The water that does it.
The Upper Peninsula has a town called Paradise for a darn good reason. Take away the mines and that’s just what WE have. Paradise.
Please, please contemplate your short-term actions and the wide ramifications that will cause long-term effects to OUR own little slice of paradise.
SAVE THE WILD U.P.
What makes Michigan special are our lakes and other natural resources. It is irresponsible to even think about destroying these with a sulfide mine. Please don’t desecrate our land any more!
Irreparable harm. This is a term of art used in the legal profession when it is arguable that injunctive relief would be appropriate under a given set of facts. My position on this issue is that should the mine be allowed to proceed, irreparable harm would most certainly result in that it could jeopardize one of the last remanining natural spawning coaster brook trout waters in the state. There should be no balancing of the equities because all rational logic points to one conclusion: the UP (and salmon trout river) are too sensitive to such a dangerous and invasive process.
Greg Bierl,
outdoor enthusiast,
concerned citizen,
attorney
Our Great Lakes waters… so precious… so vital…so irreplaceable. When will our corporations and polititians start preventing health and environmental crisis rather than starting them? Revolution.. is the only way to stop thier greed and evil.
Our Great Lakes waters… so precious… so vital…so irreplaceable. When will our corporations and polititians start preventing health and environmental crisis rather than starting them? Revolution.. is the only way to stop thier greed and evil!!
I had the good fortune of growing up in the U.P. and all I can say is the fact that this beautiful area is in danger of being harmed and not everyone is standing up strong against it is atrocious. Obviously the heads of Kennecott have never spent time relaxing on the shores of Superior or surrounded by the natural beauty of the wild woods. Otherwise, I can’t see how they could possibly make this decision in good conscience. But of course, rarely these days does big business ever do anything in good conscience. It is important to maintain a delicate balance when it comes to development and utilizing our natural resources. We must learn how to use what is there while still respecting the land. And this proposed mine is nothing but flipping Mother Nature the bird!
If the boardmembers and shareholders of Kennecott Mining will drink the run off, I am
all for the new mine. Let the CEO go first –
and all of his family second. Save the World’s largest supply of fresh water – STOP THIS MINE.
My husband and I moved to the Upper Peninsula from overseas. We had discovered Marquette in 1991, and we bought our first property here before returning fulltime to live here in late 1992. We chose this area because of the constellation of lakes and waterfalls. Of coursse, we fell in love with Lake Superior. It never occurred to us that there were more companies who wished to come here to pollute huge tracts of wilderness with untainted watersheds. Shame on those few who staff the DEQ! They and Kennecott never gave off the vibrations of being worried,, even during the public meetings and debates. One almost has the feeling that the outcome was predetermined. . . .
Living in Wisconsin the majority of my life I have frequented Wisconsin’s northwoods and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as scenic and beautiful places to enjoy nature in it’s purity. My absolute favorite destination in the midwest is the McCormick Tract Wilderness Area. Which is now threatened by the seemingly destined encroachment of the Kennecott Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains. Five years ago I moved from Conover, WI and now reside in Phoenix, AZ. So why should I care? With all the beauty and spectacular places to see and visit in the southwest, I burn valuable vacation time and spend my hard earned money to meet up with a friend from Wisconsin to enjoy the McCormick tract once a year for a week in UP paradise. You people in Michigan are truly lucky to have such a wonderful place. Sure the entire Upper Peninsula is beautiful, but the McCormick Tract is a designated Wilderness Area. A 17,000 acre federally protected wilderness area that the McCormick family willed to the USDA, entrusting the government to look after it and act as stewards to the lands and wildlife within it’s borders. For years the USDA/Michigan has done exactly that and a great job. Until now. Now Michigan might allow a sulfide mining operation take place right on it’s borders?! I’m sure I can speak for the McCormick family and say this is NOT what they had in mind. I don’t understand how the DEQ can justifiably grant permits for this. As this is NOT good for the McCormick, the Yellow Dog River/Plains, or Michigan’s environment. I can only hope Michigan’s DNR acts with more sensibility and responsiblity. I understand this will create jobs and provide some economic good for the UP but I don’t think this is a viable answer for Michigan’s unemployment problems. We live in an age where we can see the the direct consequences of errors made in regards to the environment from past generations. Have we learned nothing from this? Setting aside the “Do the right thing” from an environmental standpoint. Think of your tourism. I’m not the only individual to trek across the country to enjoy the UP. I’m not the only tourist who spends money in the UP. There are thousands that come from all over the US to enjoy the Upper Peninsula’s scenery and spend thousands in Michigan’s economy. The Kennecott Mine may deter some tourism. I know if the mine is given a “go”, I will most likely not be back and opt for a trip to the Grand Canyon instead. People of Michigan, please consider the consequnces as they will last generations leaving untold damage, disrupting your pristine lands, waters, and wildlife. You truly have something special, cherish it.
Randy Turley
Let’s make Michigan the state where people want to play and enjoy. Let’s keep the Great Lakes Great. Don’t sell it out.
There is a placemat that I have seen in restaurants that depicts the different cities in Michigan and what has made them famous. It lists the State Flower, Bird and Tree. I find it odd that we just get one of each. This placemat also shows us that we are never more that six miles from a body of water in this great state. What good is this information if the water is poison. There are many qualities and a few curiosities that make Michigan extraordinary. But honestly, it’s the water. The water that does it.
The Upper Peninsula has a town called Paradise for a darn good reason. Take away the mines and that’s just what WE have. Paradise.
Please, please contemplate your short-term actions and the wide ramifications that will cause long-term effects to OUR own little slice of paradise.
SAVE THE WILD U.P.