Author Archives: Save the Wild UP

Send A Thank You to the DNR

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Send a Thank You to the DNR

It is important to provide positive feedback as well as our concerns to governmental agencies. Too often we only send letters of disappointment and concern. Save the Wild UP asks that you send a letter thanking the DNR for their serious consideration of issues raised by the public concerning the use of our public lands for profit by a private corporation and the sloppy and flawed Mining and Reclamation Plan.

Here are e-mails for DNR decision makers and NRC contacts:

Lynne Boyd- boydlm@michigan.gov

Rebecca Humphries- HUMPHRIR@michigan.gov

Mindy Koch- KOCHA@michigan.gov

Teresa Gloden- GLODENT@michigan.gov

Consider cutting and pasting the following wording or write your own.

“Thank you for carefully considering the public’s comments and concerns about Kennecott’s request to use our public lands for their proposed Eagle Project and their incomplete and flawed Mining and Reclamation Plan. Sulfide mining is an extremely risky process, and your efforts to require additional information from Kennecott are necessary for making a fully informed decision and protecting our public lands and Great Lakes. I applaud you for acting on behalf of Michigan’s citizens, the future of our precious freshwater resources, and this Great Lakes State. It is my opinion that both Kennecott’s request for the Surface Land Use Lease of 120 acres on the Yellow Dog Plains and the Mining and Reclamation Plan should be denied or thrown out due to their flawed, incomplete, often sloppy and dangerous applications. The State of Michigan should expect much higher standards from a self-proclaimed industry leader such as Kennecott. This first proposed mine under the new Part 632 statute and rules sets the tone for all the other mining projects that may follow. Let us do it right the first time and make sure Michigan doesn’t create an open-door policy for disreputable mining practices in the Great Lakes State.”

Click here to send an online letter to the DNR, call the Governor or express your dissappointment with the DEQ approval.

Raging Grannies and First Nations Team Up to Stop Uranium Mining

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On June 28th, 2007 the Community Coalition Against Uranium (CCAMU),

agroup of concerned citizens from the Ottawa Valley and Kingston area, joined a peaceful protest with the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation and the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation. The First Nations began protesting in October of 2007 in response to uranium exploration at the headwaters of the Mississippi water system which feeds the Ottawa River.

The First Nations claim the site is on its land and fear the uranium drilling could lead to environmental contamination. The uranium exploration company, Frontenac Ventures, has threatened to have the protesters arrested and sue the First Nations for 77 million dollars.

Despite threats from the corporation, on Oct. 8, 2007 Grandma Donna Dillman started a hunger strike to call for a moratorium on uranium mining and moved into a tent trailer near the protest site. On Oct.15 an organization called Raging Grannies joined Donna Dillman at the protest site near Sharbot Lake.

“We wanted to show our support, sing with her, have tea, and make sure she is alright”-Raging Grannies.

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=eFF3ESIH4h4[/youtube]

The Raging Grannies’ mission is to arouse awareness about such issues as Peace, Social Justice, Environmental Protection, Racism — and in so doing to bring about necessary changes in both laws and attitudes.

Shortly after the Grannies joined the protest, the First Nations agreed to a 12-week truce provided that the provincial and federal government agreed to formal mediation. After much deliberation the First Nations and the government agreed on the agenda of the mediation process, but the First Nations have recently threatened to reoccupy the site unless the province stops uranium mining in the area.

Visit the Community Coalition Against Mining Uranium

Visit the Ottawa Raging Grannies

U.P. makes Top 10 Winter Destination

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The Weather Channel has named the Upper Peninsula a Top 10 pick for Winter vacaction destinations.

If you’re from the midwest, you know what winter really means. And you
can take it. You may even love it. If your brood embraces even the heaviest
snows of deepest winter, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a can’t-miss
destination for your family. Yes, only the truly well-shod, hearty and
adventurous need apply. But if zero crowds, mile after mile of near-virgin
snow and family time in a rustic cabin by a roaring fire sound good to you,
then look no further. The UP has everything you’re dreaming of.

For full article click link below:

2008-weather-channel-top-10-winter-destination.pdf

Click here for a Mining Journal Letter to the Editor on this Top 10 Listing

EPA still reviewing Kenncott’s UIC permit

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U.S. EPA Continues Kennecott UIC Permit Review

 

Jan 14, 2008

 

U.S. EPA has notified WIMS that it is continuing its review of an Underground Injection Control permit application it requested from Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. in March 2007, regarding the company’s proposed Eagle Mine northwest of Marquette in Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula. EPA’s Phillippa Cannon of the Office of Public Affairs told WIMS on January 14 that, “EPA is in the process of reviewing the Underground Injection Control permit application, including whether any additional federal laws or regulations might impact construction activities.”

    On March 23, 2007, EPA announced that Kennecott must obtain an underground injection control permit before it can begin construction of a proposed wastewater disposal well that would be used to dispose of industrial process wastewater. At that time EPA said, “EPA requires permits in order to protect underground sources of drinking water. Based on the significant volume of wastewater to be discharged and the industrial nature of Kennecott’s proposed well, permit conditions will be necessary to protect human health and the environment and to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and underground injection control regulations.” EPA said that Kennecott was required to submit a complete permit application for the proposed wastewater well within 60 days of that time, and would also be required to provide assurance that sufficient money has been set aside to properly close the well.

    In a related matter, on January 10, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) announced at the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) [See WIMS 1/11/08], that it is delaying its decision on approving a surface use lease for 120 acres of public land for 35 years necessary for the proposed Kennecott nickel mine in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to commence. The MDNR decision is the second part of the State approvals required for the mining operations. MDEQ has already announced its approval of the Kennecott’s permit to develop the sulfide mine [See WIMS 12/14/07]. On December 21, 2007, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Huron Mountain Club and Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve announced they were filing a contested case petition and a lawsuit against MDEQ as the first step in a legal challenge to halt the mine [See WIMS 1/2/08].

   

 This was forwrded to SWUP in an e-mail.  WIMS= Waste Information and Management Services.  WIMS provides a subscription-based environmental news bulletin.  There was no official Press Release from the EPA on this matter at the time of posting.

Latest on the BHP bid for Rio Tinto

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BHP May Add Cash to Proposal to Buy Rio Tinto, Australian Says

Bloomberg – USA
14 (Bloomberg) — BHP Billiton Ltd. is considering adding cash to its proposal to buy Rio Tinto Group as well as increasing the proportion of shares in the …
See all stories on this topic

Rumours rev up as BHP nears deadline
The Australian – Sydney,Australia
THE rumour mill over mining giant Rio Tinto seems to be cranking up as the February 6 deadline nears for BHP Billiton to either “put up or shut up” in …
See all stories on this topic

State aiming to purchase 1,000 acres of beautiful UP

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Article from 1/13/08 Free Press

State has eyes fixed on land in UP
Aim is to guard more than 1,000 acres of beauty

January 13, 2008

By JOHN FLESHER

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TRAVERSE CITY — The state of Michigan is working toward ownership of more than 1,000 acres of scenic land in the Upper Peninsula, officials said last week.

The Department of Natural Resources said it had bought three parcels totaling 373 acres in Iron County from We Energies, an electric utility based in Wisconsin.

Additionally, the DNR said it was close to a deal for 681 acres of former We Energies land in Baraga County now owned by a nonprofit conservation group. “These acquisitions will help the DNR preserve and protect some of the wild beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula,” said Mindy Koch, deputy director for resource management.

Click link at top of the page for full article

Uranium exploration discussed

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The Daily Globe reports:

Commissioners discuss uranium exploration
Published Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:52:22 AM Central Time
BESSEMER — The possibility of uranium exploration in northern Gogebic County was discussed by members of the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners Wednesday night but no action was taken.
Canadian-based Trans Superior Resources Inc. has filed for permission with the Ottawa National Forest regarding plans for a mineral exploration operation in Marenisco Township in Gogebic County and Bergland Township in Ontonagon County. The 3,086-acre project would include eight sections within Gogebic County and two sections in Ontonagon County.
County board members were given information about the proposed project in their packets at the meeting.

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Keep your eyes and ears open for news about other Uranium exploration projects in the Upper Peninsula and please pass along any information you might find to Save The Wild UP.

Song For the Yellow Dog

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Inspired by the beauty of the Yellow Dog River, Margaret Comfort wrote the following song and wanted to share it with others who have been touched by its waters.

Yellow Dog

 

Yellow Dog, you are my home.

Yellow Dog, where I belong.

Yellow Dog, you soothe my soul.

Yellow Dog, where I belong.

 

May you forever remain

As the mightiest gem you reign.

Pristine, foaming, meander and roam

Yellow Dog, you are my home.

 

I do just close my eyes

Hear your gentle voice arise.

Feel your solid alivening cold.

Yellow Dog, you awaken my soul.

 

Vow I a pledge to thee

Plains that whisper in stillness to Be.

Keep her Beauty eternally strong.

Yellow Dog, where peace belongs.

 

 

Margaret Comfort

 

(The author is a former resident of Marquette, who now lives in Illinois. But she’ll be back…)

Kennecott Hits Snag with DNR

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The Department of Natural Resources announced at yesterday’s Natural Resource Commission meeting that no decision would be made on Kennecott’s requested State Land Use Lease and Mining and Reclamation Plan until adequate information is provided. This is welcomed news for anyone who has been concerned with the fast-track mentality exhibited by the State of Michigan concerning this Kennecott project.

SWUP would like to thank all of you who voiced your concerns about Kennecott’s request to lease public lands for their project as well as Kennecott’s incomplete and flawed Mining and Reclamation Plan. The tremendous amount of public concern over this issue played a key role in Rebecca Humphries request for adequate information.

Please check out the following links regarding the DNR’s recent request for more onformation.

NWF Press Release

Mining Journal

Freep.com

M-live.com

The Houston Chronicle

The Lansing State Journal

The Detroit News 

“Finally, somebody in Lansing has their head on straight and is taking a hard look at a risky proposition” said Michelle Halley attorney with the National Wildlife Federation.-Mining Journal 1/11/07

Since the DNR has required Kennecott to provide requested information, the public comment period continues until a final decision has been reached. If you have not already sent a letter concerning the State Land Use Lease and the Mining and Reclamation Plan click here to send an online letter today!