Posted by John Flesher | The Associated Press
Opponents of a planned nickel and copper mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are trying to overturn a decision by the state Department of Environmental Quality to allow the project.
A hearing began Monday in Lansing on a challenge to the DEQ’s approval of permit applications submitted by Kennecott Minerals Co. It is expected to last several weeks.
I recently read in the Mining Journal an article on these very hearings. What I’m confused about though is that they said that the judge is a DEQ employee! Isn’t that like a conflict of interest? They also went on to state that he will then make a “recommendation” to head DEQ head honcho Steven Chester. So ultimately the decision is in the hands of the guy that made it in the first place! I am not getting my hopes up on this one unfortunately.