The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has requested the EPA to determine whether habitat for the endangered Kirtland warbler and threatened Canada lynx occurs in areas that could directly or indirectly be affected by Kennecott’s Eagle Project.
According to the USFWS, “Kirtland’s warblers utilize young, dense stands of jack pine that are interspersed with treeless openings,” and requested the EPA to conduct a survey of male Kirtland’s warblers, in late Spring, 2009, if potential habitat is located in the area.
The USFWS also stated, “the Kirtland’s warbler, an endangered species, was detected within three miles of the project site during the 2006 and 2008 Kirtland’s warbler census” and, “the Canada lynx’s range includes the proposed project site…therefore, we believe, an assessment for potential affects to Lynx is prudent.”
Although key indicators suggest the area as suitable habitat for both species and were acknowledged in Kennecott’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the company did not consider the project as potentially affecting Kirtland warbler or Canadian lynx habitat. According to the DEQ, Kennecott conducted only 7 months of the legally-required 2-year flora and fauna study.
A USFWS decision on whether Kennecott’s proposed project would affect native Coaster Brook Trout is expected by December 15, 2008. Because the Coaster is not yet considered federally threatened or endangered, the USFWS did not consider the EPA to have responsibility at this time.
Located above Kennecott’s ore body, the Salmon Trout River houses the last remaining naturally reproducing population of the potamodromous Coaster Brook Trout on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Contamination or a possible collapse of the river, due to mining activities, would likely decimate this rare population.
Joe Maki, geologist with the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Office of Geological Survey has admitted, in a recent contested case hearing, that Kennecott does not have a contingency plan for a collapse of the Salmon Trout River. Maki was the coordinator for the Mine Review Team that conducted the DEQ’s review and recommended approval of Kennecott’s mine application.