To the Journal editor:
On Aug. 28, the EPA will conduct a public hearing at the request of the Michigan Department Quality on the proposed County Road 595. Both agencies are charged with preserving and protecting our natural resources for present and future generations. Continue reading
Gov. Rick Snyder officially declared July 15 Lake Superior Day. Save the Wild U.P. celebrated with Waterpalooza at Mattson Lower Harbor Park. It was our first ever and it was a splash.
For an event that may take as long as three to six months or longer to coordinate, we pulled it off in the two months since I became office manager/outreach coordinator.
Some things on the schedule did not happen and some did that weren’t planned. But it was fun and I am already planning and looking forward to next year.
The board and I want to thank everyone that stopped by to share in the celebration of Lake Superior, to learn more about Save the Wild U.P., enjoy a cold KBC beer and let the kids splash down the water slide. Continue reading
CHICAGO (July 30, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on August 28th to take comments on the Marquette County Road Commission’s application for a wetland fill permit for the construction of County Road 595. EPA scheduled the hearing at the request of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
The Road Commission has proposed a new 21.5-mile primary county road, running north-south between U.S. Highway 41 and County Road Triple A, through Champion, Ely, Humboldt and Michigamme Townships. According to the application, construction would affect 25.81 acres of wetlands and would require the building of 22 stream crossings.
MDEQ has the authority to issue permits for projects under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for wetlands, lakes and streams. EPA’s role is to ensure that proposed projects comply with federal guidelines. At the hearing, EPA will take comments on two issues: (1) whether there are practical, alternate routes for the road which would have less impact on aquatic resources; and (2) proposals to mitigate damage to wetlands and streams.
Oral and written comments will be taken at the public hearing. EPA will hold an informational question-and-answer session immediately before the public hearing — at 6 p.m. on Aug. 28. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. Both will be held at Northern Michigan University, Don H. Bottums University Center, Ontario/Michigan/Huron Rooms, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette.
The public comment period started on July 27 and concludes on Sept. 4, 2012. Comments should be addressed to Melanie Haveman, U.S. EPA (WW-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3590 or r5_cr595_comments@epa.gov. For questions or additional information, call EPA toll-free at 800-621-8431, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,week days. Related documents and information about the public hearing are available on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/region5/water/cr595.
The official records are also available at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St., Ishpeming.
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, rowan.anne@epa.gov; Peter Cassell, 312-886-6234, cassell.peter@epa.gov; Brad Wurfel, 517-241-7395, wurfelb@michigan.gov
The office will be open Friday, July 27 from 10am-7pm to share blueberry muffins and blueberry lemonade as well as information about who we are, what we do and how you can get involved!! Hope to see you Friday!!
To the Journal editor:
The headline read: “Acid Spill at Eagle Mine.” Now it begins. Kennecott says they are not overly concerned.
What agency checks to see if it is really cleaned up?
Jan Amundsen
Marquette
TRAVERSE CITY – A federal judge has refused to halt construction of a nickel and copper mine in northern Marquette County.
In an order signed Wednesday, Judge Robert Holmes Bell rejected a request by the private Huron Mountain Club to stop work on the mine while the club’s lawsuit works its way to trial.
The exclusive club owns about 19,000 acres of forestland in Marquette County, including an 11-mile stretch of the Salmon Trout River. In May, the club filed a suit claiming the mine would damage the river and nearby wetlands.
The mine’s name recently was changed from Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. to Rio Tinto Eagle Mine.
State regulators and company officials say the mine can be operated safely. Drilling has begun and mineral production is expected to begin in 2014.
Court Rules Flambeau ‘Model Mine’ Violated Clean Water Act
The Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith, WI has a long history of controversy due, in part, to the proximity of the mine to the Flambeau River. This photo was taken in September 1994, when heavy rains caused flooding at the mine site.
State Officials Urged to ‘Learn from Flambeau’ and Stop Proposed Mega-Mines in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan
A federal court ruled yesterday that Flambeau Mining Company (FMC) violated the Clean Water Act on numerous occasions by allowing pollution from its Flambeau Mine site, near Ladysmith, Wis., to enter the Flambeau River and a nearby tributary known as Stream C.
The lawsuit was filed early last year by the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council (WRPC), the Center for Biological Diversity, and Laura Gauger. The complaint charged that Flambeau Mining Company (a subsidiary of Kennecott Minerals Company / Rio Tinto) was violating the Clean Water Act by discharging stormwater runoff containing pollutants, including toxic metals like copper and zinc, from a detention basin known as a biofilter. Continue reading
July 20, 2012 The Mining Journal
To the Journal editor:
John Pepin’s July 8, 2012, report on Rio Tinto’s acid spill had an interesting but disturbing quote; “Blondeau said this was the first spill to occur at the Eagle Mine or Kennecott’s Humboldt Mill.”
I don’t believe that this statement by Dan Blondeau is true. I’m respectfully calling on all Rio Tinto contractors and employees to contact The Mining Journal with information regarding any and all hazardous substance spills that have taken place at the Eagle Mine and Humboldt Mill. I’m also asking that medical workers at Marquette area hospitals contact the Journal with information regarding exposures to chemicals at these Rio Tinto operations. Continue reading
Save the Wild Up is celebrating Lake Superior Day with a WATERPALOOZA Water Festival on Sunday, July 15th at Mattson Lower Harbor Park from 11am to 8pm. Enjoy food, music and water related activities while learning the importance of protecting our most beautiful and vital natural resource. Continue reading