by Jon Magnuson
Last summer, driving north along County Rd #550, not far from Eagle Nest Road, a reflection of sunlight on eight high voltage electrical lines, erected to provide power for the proposed Kennecott mine, caught me by surprise, blinding, for a split second, the entire highway ahead.
At first startled, then saddened, I reminded myself that the most revered landscapes we cherish will always be in transition. Change inevitably comes, as does innovation and new business ventures. At the same time, citizens have a right (some believe obligation) to shape the particulars of our economic future. Tea Party followers are teaching us that the best principles of American democratic process are reflected in cantankerous debates.
In that respect, our contentious ongoing community battle about Rio Tinto’s Kennecott sulfide mine, when it will be built and, if so, how the company will adhere to laws and regulations, remains an extraordinary drama. The Mining Journal is to be commended for providing coverage of this important controversy, allowing different voices to be heard, trusting that challenge and public debate exposes the deepest values of our citizens.
It’s critically important to remember Kennecott’s mine is no done deal. Permits are being consistently challenged, step-by-step, by sophisticated civil suits from the National Wildlife Federation, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, and the Huron Mountain Club. In 2004, one hundred leaders of ten faith traditions across three counties signed a document protesting this mine. In April of 2009 it was carried to London, England along with a petition against the mine containing signatures of 10,000 Michigan citizens. Both were presented to Kennecott’s parent company Rio Tinto at their annual meeting.
Recently, Kennecott announced its intention of moving dozens of trucks of toxic materials daily through the city of Marquette because they’re legally blocked, by government regulations protecting wetlands, from using their financially-backed Woodland Road as a haul route. Our city’s mayor publicly expressed his disgust at Kennecott’s proposal, voicing absolute opposition to such a plan. Numbers of citizens now are beginning to see another side of this international corporation that carries a worldwide reputation for violating human rights and poisoning local landscapes.
Initially, some remember Kennecott appearing in our community as a good-willed, generous business partner. Thanks to an alliance of citizens and nonprofit groups, the mining company’s slick ads were exposed, revealing deeper intentions to unabashedly, singularly, wring a profit. Recently, Kennecott’s Eagle Project manager John Cherry, after five years here, was transferred to do a similar softening up of yet another community at another proposed mine site in Arizona.
What about potential jobs being lost? If not the mine, then what? Look at the recognition our community has received for our pollution-free environment and healthy public life. Our Chamber of Commerce is working hard to promote Marquette County as a green and sustainable, environmentally friendly community. We can work together to bring low-impact industry here. We can all choose to cut back, just a bit, and commit ourselves to support our local schools, businesses, artists, churches and synagogues.
On Tuesday, February 15th, 7 P.M. at the Women’s Federated Club House, the viewing of a filmed presentation by Lois Gibbs, mother of two children who led New York citizens to protest toxic waste poisoning in 1978 at Love Canal, will be shown. Peter Sessa, attorney with The Center for Health, Environment and Justice, will be here to share stories about ordinary citizens across North America who are creatively rebuilding strong communities that protect jobs, environments, and health.
This is a good fight. Come join us.
Jon Magnuson