An interesting new article written by Kari Lydersen has been published by the New Standard.
The New Standard is an online newspaper who was “…founded on the belief that the dominant model and methods of profit-focused news journalism have failed the public interest.”
If the link above doesn’t work use the URL for the article: http://newstandardnews.net/content/index.cfm/items/4681
Kari Lydersen wrote an article for the Washington Post on April 3, 2007.
Read on for a news release from the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited…
The Rest of the Story about Kennecott’s Flambeau Mine and their request to the Wisconsin DNR for Certificate of Completion
Kennecott (AKA Flambeau Mining Company or FMC) has applied to the Wisconsin DNR for a Certificate of Completion (COC) for its reclamation activities at the Flambeau Mine site. What it boils down to is that FMC wants to get back its $11 million reclamation bond, based on the company’s claim that the site has been successfully reclaimed (If a COC is awarded, the State of Wisconsin can return up to 80% of the bond – the remaining 20% would be held for an additional 20 years).
This is not just a Wisconsin issue. The people in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Minnesota will be affected by the decision as well. You see, Kennecott is trying to gain approval to construct mines in both MI and MN at the present time and has been using the Flambeau Mine as its calling card, telling everyone what a wonderful job the company did at Ladysmith.
On April 17th, 2007, at 7 PM, Fred Rydholm will speak at Kaufman Auditorium on the Yellow Dog Plains and the Huron Mountain Club. A modern-day historical icon to our community and the Upper Peninsula, Fred knows the area, both people and places, better than anyone. Born and raised in Marquette, Fred grew up traveling around the Upper Peninsula with his parents and grandparents visiting all of the places he writes and speaks about today. Also an animated and charming storyteller, Fred Rydholm is the strongest pillar that carries forth our community’s history. Come and join us for this historical slide show and lecture featuring Fred Rydholm with aerial photographs and slides taken by Tom Buchkoe.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Kaufman Auditorium ticket booth Monday through Friday, from noon to 6 PM or by calling 225-4302 Ext. 110. Please leave your name, phone number, and how many tickets you would like to purchase. All seats reserved.
A Fred Rydholm scholarship fund for Marquette Area Public School students will be started from funds earned from this event.
International mining companies are once again interested in the Upper Peninsula. This excellent article in yesterday’s Washington Post explores how acid mining is incompatible with tourism built upon activities such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, skiing and kayaking.
Russ Magnaghi, director of Upper Peninsula studies at Northern Michigan University, fears that a new mining surge could mean history repeating itself.
“You have people talking about our heritage, that this is what made us great and if we have it again we’ll be great again,” he said. “Mining can seem romantic. But the reality is it’s very destructive to the environment, and it’s a very temporary thing. Are tourists going to vacation at an industrial site? You could end up with no tourism, no mining, no nothing.”
Read Upper Peninsula Looks Ahead, And Back, as Mine Interests Call in the Washington Post.
Here is a photo of the effects of metallic sulfide mining in Ontario. As you look at other photos of acid mine drainage and the impacts of sulfide mining, ask yourself “Is this a scene Michigan wants to see?”
From the US Environmental Protection Agency:
EPA requires permit for proposed wastewater well
Release date: 03/23/2007Contact Information: CONTACT: Karen Thompson, (312) 353-8547, thompson.karen@epa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA042CHICAGO (March 23, 2007) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has notified Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co., Marquette, Mich., that it must obtain an underground injection control permit before it can begin construction of a proposed wastewater disposal well.
Kennecott is proposing to begin a mining operation in northern Michigan. The well would be used to dispose of industrial process wastewater.
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.
Kennecott must submit a complete permit application for the proposed wastewater well to EPA within 60 days. They must also provide assurance to EPA that sufficient money has been set aside to properly close the well.
In Mining plan a bust with us, the Petoskey News Review takes a stand against the proposed sulfide mining operation by the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company in the Upper Peninsula’s Yellow Dog Plains. They cite the fact that every sulfide mine that could pollute its water did, and also note that the mine:
… is located on 160 acres of state-owned land, that would be closed off from the public for years. This means land your tax dollars have paid for will be used for the benefit of a private corporation and for an operation that could put waters of the Great Lakes at risk.
And all of this is being done for very little economic benefit. The mine is expected to create only 150 local jobs for only seven years. At the same time, the recreation industry that could be impacted by the mine’s pollution provides more than 1,700 jobs a year in Marquette County alone.
Photo credit: Mother by jcbetter from the Save the Wild UP Challenge group
Michigan’s water is under assault from metallic sulfide mining, invasive species, outright diversion and a host of other threats.
Save the Wild UP is challenging you to make a video that shows why Michigan must protect its rivers, lakes and streams. We’ll all vote on the best and the winners will receive all kinds of prizes, including $2500 in cash for the Grand Prize winner!
Visit the Save the Wild UP Video Challenge web site!