Over a dozen mines for copper, nickel, gold, zinc, and possibly URANIUM are currently on the drawing boards for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, home to some of the most pristine rivers and aquifers in the world. Acid Sulfide Mining has the potential to pollute both glorious Lake Michigan and mighty Lake Superior. This type of mining is not like that of the old days. It has the potential to pollute for hundreds of years.This type of mining has already caused irreparable harm near the Flambeau River in northern Wisconsin. The mine there closed in 1997; however, ten years later, there are still toxic levels of iron, copper, and manganese in the region – very harmful to fish and at levels (manganese) known to cause Parkinson-like tremors in humans. In fact, the state of Wisconsin will no longer allow such type of mining unless or until a company can show that a mine has operated and been closed for 10 years without causing such mess. Read about it in “The Buzzards Have Landed” (www.deertailpress.com). Also, this type of mining is being explored less than 25 miles from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of Minnesota. Sulfide mining also has the potential to permanently eradicate the last known spawning grounds of the rare coaster brook trout along the south shore of Lake Superior.

The demand for raw materials to feed China’s industrial machine could turn Michigan into a “colony” and will pollute it (and China) at the same time. Also, we here in the U.S. can consume more “stuff” and China and other developing industrialized and newly-affluent nations can have items like cars, refrigerators, and cell phones. The chickens (?vultures?) have finally come home to roost. Yes, this may be karmic and yes, who are we (the U.S) to deny others…however, it is a REALLY DUMB IDEA to pollute pristine rivers that feed our Great Lakes – our ONLY source of fresh water and truly irreplaceable gems. As the issues of “not enough water” and “not enough clean water” rise to the forefront here in the US (and they inevitably will), we will be left with a nightmare if these types of mines are allowed to take foot anywhere near the Great Lakes.

My beloved Michigan is beset with economic woes – not enough jobs; but these mining jobs are short-term and the potential health ramifications will last a life-time (whereas the workers’ health insurance will not!). Over 100 U.P physicians and 40 Michigan physician assistants have signed a resolution seriously questioning sulfide mining. These mines will also pollute the air and utterly destroy the peace and quiet of a people who treasure and respect the wild (the local citizens and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community). In fact, drilling is slated to occur right through “Eagle Rock” – a sacred site to the Community. The mines are also dangerous from a highway/road/transportation standpoint.

Check out the following websites www.yellowdogwatershed.org, www.savethewildup.org, www.northwoodswild.org for more details.

More importantly, join us as we walk from the Yellow Dog Plains (western Marquette County) to The Bridge during the last two weeks in August – just in time to walk The Bridge on Labor Day. You can walk for a few hours, a weekend, or do the entire trip.

Don’t be fooled. This is NOT just an isolated “Yooper problem”; nor is it just a “Michigan problem”. IT IS A GREAT LAKES PROBLEM. Having lived on gorgeous Beaver Island, Boyne City, Petoskey, and Marquette and having spent many a summer in the Traverse region, I know how precious these lakes are … how they feed our souls and refresh our spirits. It would be a TRAVESTY to see them destroyed.

Get off your duff this summer and walk with us from the Yellow Dog Plains to The Bridge. Contact us at the websites listed above or call 231-330-0589. Come see the splendor of the U.P and what we ALL (yes, you) risk losing.

Margaret Comfort
Bourbonnais, IL
“Forever a Michigander”