In a ‘final hour’ dramatic sweep of events within the agency, the MIDEQ issued final permits to Kennecott Minerals which allows the company to proceed with their Eagle Mine. Immediately, Kennecott misled the public by announcing dates of mine construction and completion, boasting job creation and economic blessings.  A few facts they failed to mention:

1. Through the appeal process, petitioners from the previous contested case will challenge the DEQ decision in Circuit Court.

2. Mining icon Jack Parker testified on the petitioner’s behalf, claiming serious rock structure instability and a flawed mine plan. The DEQ has ignored Parker’s research and has chosen to trust the company’s engineering plan.

3. Alger Delta Electric’s $8.5 million upgrade project along CR 550 is not covered in the permit and is therefore illegal. Amendments have not been filed with the DEQ. Also, this wasteful project has been a thorn in Granot Loma’s side as they have been threatened by Kennecott (A-Delta) with a lawsuit for refusing to grant them additional easements through 4 miles of private property.

4. The proposed ‘south road’ is also illegal due to Kennecott’s failure to follow permitting procedures with this proposed 23 mile long ‘haul road’ (90′ wide in some areas, making it a highway), or the fact that they plan to fill over 30 acres of wetlands, displace wildlife and endangered plants, and potentially contaminate numerous creeks, streams and rivers, while cutting an industrial gap through the last remaining undeveloped woodlands in Marquette County.

5. To build the mine, heavy trucking would be forced through Marquette City to CR 550 and 510/AAA for 2-3 years. The only traffic solution to that potential problem being, according to the city, is to push a truck route via McClellan Ave., through a quiet residential neighborhood, to Wright Street.

6. The EPA is expected to issue its draft decision on the Underground Injection Control Program that would allow Kennecott to dispose of 504,000 gallons/day of treated industrial waste water into a septic field. There will be a public hearing, 60 days of public comment and the option for appeal.

7. The already contaminated Humboldt Mill would remain contaminated to the tune of 3.5 million tons of additional tailings waste, just from Eagle. Once the sludge pit is full, tailings could be stored on land, where previous dumps have created potential health issues for anyone living downstream of the mill.