Author Archives: Save the Wild UP

Majority Tells DEQ “We don’t want this mine”

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1st day of hearings a victory; three more days of hearings this week

More than 100 individuals stood before the MDEQ on the first day of public hearings and sent a resounding message – the Kennecott Eagle Mine is not welcome here.

Congratulations and thanks are owed to all who stood up and voiced their concerns about the faulty mine application, the need to protect this special place and the vote of no confidence in the MDEQ’s ability to provide regulatory oversight. Truly, we were impressed by the thoughtful messages you delivered and the passion with which you delivered them.

Turn-out to the Marquette hearing was so high, MDEQ staff took testimony for 2 hours beyond the 9:30pm advertised end of the hearing.  In roughly 9 hours of testimony, only 14 individuals spoke in favor of the project, with 112 expressing opposition.

With three more days of hearings this week, it is anticipated that Kennecott will attempt to turn out more favorable testimony in coming days, so we must keep up the heat.

If you were unable to attend the Marquette hearing, it’s not too late. We urge you to provide your testimony at any of the following dates & times:

Tuesday, September 11 … 1-4:30pm & 6-9:30pm
Wednesday, September 12 …1-4:30pm & 6-9:30pm
Thursday, September 13 …1-4:30pm

The West Branch Community Center is located at:  301 Avenue A, Forsyth Township, Michigan, (located on the old K.I. Sawyer AFB, approximately 3.5 miles from County Road 553, just behind the MDEQ UP District office)

Hearing Map
View Larger Map

Save the Wild UP will have an information table set up at the Community Center with supporting materials and literature. Look for SWUP staff and volunteers for additional assistance.

Restoring Great Lakes would bring the region $50 Billion in economic gain

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New Report on the Economic Benefit of healthy Great Lakes.

A New Report finds that restoring Great Lakes would bring the region $50 Billion in economic gain. It also found that clean-up would also lead to $30 Billion-$50 Billion in short-term economic activity. This report is further evidence why Michigan should say no to the development of a new sulfide mining district, starting with the denial of the Kennecott permit application.

‘The Great Lakes economy depends on the health of the Great Lakes‘

Click here to read the National Wildlife Federation Press Release on Brookings Great Lakes Report, or go directly to the presentation of the report or visit http://www.healthylakes.org/

September DEQ Public Hearing dates!

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These Public Hearings and comment period are your opportunity to voice your concerns for Kennecott’s proposed mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.

Take Action now!

Click here to access our online letter to send to the DEQ/DNR

Click here to use a cut and paste version of the letter

Click here to find your elected representatives

The Last Public Hearing will be held on:

September 19, 1 – 4:30 pm and 6 – 9:30 pm
Lansing Center, Rooms 203 and 204, 333 E. Michigan Ave.,
Lansing, Michigan

Written comments are accepted any time, now through October 17, 2007. You can send them either postal mail or e-mail to the following addresses:DEQ/DNR Kennecott CommentsOffice of Geological Survey

P.O. Box 30256

, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7756 or by e-mail at DEQ-Kennecott-comments@michigan.gov
According to a e-mail from Steve Wilson at the DEQ, the updated public hearing notice is posted on the internet. Mr. Wilson has also posted the updated Part 632 permit conditions.

Here We Go Again!

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Monday, July 30 2007

The DEQ is resuming the permit application process after a 5-month investigation into missing documents, possible malfeasance by a DEQ employee and serious safety issues with the Kennecott’s mine plan. We need anyone and everyone who is concerned about the proposed mine to step up and speak out at the public hearings or send in your letters urging the DEQ to deny this permit.

Public Hearing dates in Marquette and Lansing

We will post a driving directions & a map as the hearing date approaches.

-from the DEQ Eagle Project Update Page:

“The DEQ has resumed its review of the Eagle Project Mine permit application and reinstated its earlier proposed decision to approve a series of permits to the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company. This decision remains only a proposal and the public will continue to have an opportunity to provide their comments. Public hearings have been scheduled in Marquette at the NMU University Center on September 10, near Marquette at the West Branch Community Center in Forsyth Township from September 11-13, as well as in Lansing at the Lansing Center on September 19. The public comment period will remain open through October 17, and written comments can be sent to DEQ/DNR Kennecott Comments, Office of Geological Survey, P.O. Box 30256, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7756, or by e-mail at DEQ-Kennecott-comments@michigan.gov.”

Note the change in the mail and e-mail address for the comments. All electronic correspondence used to be sent to Steve Wilson (wilsonse@michigan.gov)

Additional Info from the State of Michigan

Oh, the irony

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On the same day as the Supreme Court Decision in the Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation vs. Nestle case that has left many of us stunned and agitated, legislation has been introduced in the Michigan House Of Representatives to protect our Great Lakes.

The following is an excerpt from a July 25, 2007 Press Release:

“As the only state entirely within the Great Lakes watershed, Michigan has the most to gain from the strong regulations included in this package of bills,” said David Holtz of Clean Water Action. “It puts Michigan front and center as a leader in the fight to protect the Great Lakes from massive diversions to other states, countries, or by profit-hungry corporations.”

For the rest of the release :

Great Lakes Legislation

An Assault on our Rights!

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The Michigan Supreme Court recently yanked some teeth from the Michigan Environmental Protection Act. The four-majority justices decided (with some pressure from Nestle) that one must prove that they have been directly affected before suing for damages to the environment.

Read:

an editorial from the Traverse Record-Eagle

an article from the Cadillac News

MCWC Press Relase

The Supreme Court’s Opinion

Detroit Free Press Editorial calls for caution

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The following is from a Mon, July 23 editorial from the Detroit Free Press.
“The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality may resolve this week how to proceed with a draft permit for nickel mining near Marquette. The process has become so muddled that it really makes sense to just start over with a clean slate. But that is clearly not going to happen.

So there is a burden on the DEQ to provide clear evidence that it has carefully reviewed every aspect of the draft permit. This is the draft that was initially put forth for comment in February, then pulled back when it became known that a document criticizing the roof thickness proposed for the mine had never been made public.”

Click here for the rest of the story

Greg Brown’s Yellow Dog CD is going National!

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Congratulations to the hard working folks at Earthwork Music and Fox on a Hill Productions for teaming up with Redeye Distribution to manufacture and market an additional 10,000 Yellow Dogs for sale around the U.S. and beyond. This new partnership will hopefully bring the Yellow Dog Plains, its beauty and the threats it faces to a national audience.

All proceeds from sales of the CD will be donated to the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.

Click here for the Yellow Dog CD Press Release

Click here for a great blog on this CD and Earthworks Music from Michigan Liberal

Click here for new review of the CD in HARP magazine

Wonderful letter from our Canadian Neighbors

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Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has written a wonderful open letter.

An Open Letter to Great Lakes Leaders:

by Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Waterkeeper.ca Weekly

It’s summertime on the Great Lakes. Are you one of the millions of people from Duluth to Kingston who is flocking to the waterfront to build sandcastles, sail or watch the sun set?Summer is when the Great Lakes inspire most. They give us cool water to swim in on hot summer days. They give us fish to fry with our families on special occasions. They give us incredible beauty, clifftop vistas and wild waves.

For millions of people – are you one? – this is the time for family, friendship, and reflection. It is the best time to witness the natural wealth of the Great Lakes. It is the best time to realize that these waters – your waters – need help.

For the rest of the article, click here