This spring marks the one year anniversary of the Eagle Rock Encampment. Watching this video reminds us of the incredible experience shared by so many. Thanks to videographer Greg Peterson for the memories and Drew Nelson for the gift of song. Enjoy…and pray for our land and water.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ces63iissE
Since Kennecott/Rio Tinto has arrived in town, they have controlled the amount of public input allowed into the process of mine development. Their idea of community involvement is a group called CAG (Community Advisory Group) which includes hand- picked members of the community and is closed to public participation. A brave group of activists took action during one of these meetings in 2009 by giving statements of protest to the lack of public involvement. The meeting was adjourned early.
This final forum, the last of four, will be more of the same from Rio’s Matt Johnson (the former aide to Michigan’s Governor Granholm) but please…
ATTEND! Ask the tough questions, give comment, offer suggestions and make some noise!
Kennecott Public Forum: Marquette
Tuesday, April 26
6-8 p.m.
Ramada Inn of Marquette
4/18/11
Dear Catherine,
Governor Rick Snyder asked us to respond directly to your inquiry on his behalf. Attached is a letter from Director Dan Wyant of the Department of Environmental Quality.
Thank you.
Mary Beth Thelen
Executive Management Assistant to the Director
Department of Environmental Quality
517-373-7917 or 517-241-7390
Read the letter from the DEQ: WAVE Response 4-18-11
Patty Birkholz will speak in Mead Auditorium on the campus of Northern Michigan University, Monday, April 18th, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on several topics related to the Great Lakes:
Informational Poster: Birkholz electronic
APRIL 12 ACTION:
If you can spare a moment this week please make two phone calls for the following reasons:
WAVE wrote a letter to Governor Snyder on March 24 requesting a specific action. It reads,
“…we urge you to use your authority to issue an executive order calling for an immediate halt to activity at the Eagle Mine site until a complete impact study can be prepared by EPA mining experts. This review should encompass all aspects of the Eagle Project, including mining, transport, and milling of ore, as well as other potential mining projects in the vicinity of the Yellow Dog Plains.”
The Governor has not responded to our letter of request, so it is time to call and email both the Governor’s office and the U.P. office!!!
On the call please ask, “Are you going to issue an executive order or not?? When can we expect a response from the Governor? Has the Governor received the 15,000 signed petitions from citizens across the state in opposition to this project?”
Thanks for taking action! Our U.P.Governor’s representative at the Northern Michigan Office is Greg Andrews, so ask for him specifically.
Read this letter from Jessica to Governor Snyder: http://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2011/04/letter-from-jessica-koski-gov-snyder.html
| Governor Rick Snyder P.O. Box 30013 Lansing, Michigan 48909PHONE: (517) 373-3400 PHONE: (517) 335-7858 – Constituent Services FAX:(517) 335-6863 E-MAIL: Rick.Snyder@michigan.gov |
|
| Northern Michigan Office 1504 West Washington, Suite B Marquette, MI 49855 (906) 228-2850 Greg Andrews |
Washington D.C. Office 444 N. Capitol Street, Northwest Hall of the States, Suite 411 Washington, D.C. 20001 (202) 624-5840 |
For Immediate Release: March 29, 2011
GOVERNOR ASKED TO HALT ALL ACTIVITY AT EAGLE MINE SITE
Marquette, MI — Representatives of WAVE, a new grassroots environmental coalition, met today with Greg Andrews, Governor Snyder’s Upper Peninsula representative. They brought a letter to the governor, calling for an immediate halt to construction of the Eagle Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.
WAVE asks that EPA mining experts prepare an impact study that encompasses all aspects of the Eagle Project, including mining, transport, and milling of ore. WAVE contends that the environmental impact statement funded and prepared by Kennecott Minerals did not meet the requirements of the new law regulating nonferrous metallic sulfide mining in Michigan.
Accompanying the letter were petitions signed by over 15,000 persons, including doctors and health care professionals who oppose development of the mine because of the risks posed to the region’s water resources and to the health of people dependent upon it.
London-based Rio Tinto, aggressively anti-union, is developing the mine under the subsidiary name Kennecott Minerals. Despite numerous pending lawsuits, Kennecott has acquired the necessary permits and may soon begin excavating the mine. The portal is to be blasted through Migi zii wa sin (Eagle Rock), a Native American sacred site, an act akin to blowing up a church, synagogue or temple to the Ojibwe tribe.
According to WAVE spokesperson Catherine Parker, “The mine puts surface water, ground water and air quality at risk—along with the numerous and permanent jobs that come from the current recreation and tourism businesses.” She adds that the flawed process demonstrated by the permitting of the Eagle Mine sets a dangerous precedent, especially with the recent increase in mining exploration in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Testimony from doctors and public health professionals makes it clear that health is a key concern, especially for our children, seniors and future generations. To date, the state has chosen to ignore the potential health impact on the region, and WAVE hopes that Governor Snyder will change that.
They are requesting an in-person meeting with Governor Snyder to discuss their concerns.
Parker explained that the choice facing the Governor—whether to halt the mine’s development or allow the portal to be blasted—will impact the health of people in the Upper Great Lakes Region. She continued, “This is Governor Snyder’s opportunity to take a long term view of what is best for Michigan’s citizens and not jump at the fast money and short term economic gain represented by the Eagle Mine’s development.”
WAVE is a new grassroots coalition of individuals and representatives of environmental, health, and citizen groups around the Great Lakes Region. Its mission is to protect our water resources as part of a sustainable future.
Contact: Catherine Parker
Phone: (906) 662-9987
Email: waveactions@gmail.com
May 6th and 7th, Traverse City, MI
A Great Lakes Community Gathering
SAVING THE GREAT LAKES FOREVER! OUR RESPONSIBILITY. OUR LEGACY
JOIN US this weekend for great movies, famous speakers, afterglows, breakout sessions, panels led by national and Great Lakes water experts.
May 6th (starting at 6:30pm)
FRIDAY NIGHT: The State Theater We are honored to present MAUDE BARLOW, well known international water advocate.* Hear her Call to Action “Our Great Lakes Commons: A People’s Plan to Protect the Great Lakes Forever.” We will also be showing the film “Tapped” add link to trailer and will honor our” Great Lakes Heroes,” with our Lighthouse Beacon Awards. JOIN US at the Park Place Hotel for an AFTERGLOW gathering to meet Maude, Wenonah Hunter and other great advocates from around the Great Lakes Basin. Enjoy music and lively afterglow conversation.
May 7th. (8:00 A.M. Registration)
SATURDAY MORNING: At Milliken Auditorium on the Campus of Northwestern Michigan College Today’s event is co-sponsored by NMC’s, Great Lakes Water Institute!
8:30 A.M. Welcome and Introductions
9:00 A.M. Opening Keynote address by Wenonah Hunter*, co-founder of Food and Water Watch, Washington, D .C.
9:40 A.M. Break out Sessions I and II lead by Great Lakes Experts
12:00 P. M. Expert’s Roundtable: Solutions to Save the Great Lakes Forever! 1:15 P. M. Q & A 1:30 P.M Press Interviews
* Maude Barlow is the National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians and chairs the board of Washington-based Food and Water Watch. She is also an executive member of the San Francisco–based International Forum on Globalization and a Councillor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. Maude is the recipient of ten honorary doctorates as well as many awards, including the 2005 Right Livelihood Award (known as the “Alternative Nobel”), the Citation of Lifetime Achievement at the 2008 Canadian Environment Awards, and the 2009 Earth Day Canada Outstanding Environmental Achievement Award. In 2008/2009, she served as Senior Advisor on Water to the 63rd President of the United Nations General Assembly. She is also the best selling author or co-author of 16 books, including the international best seller Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and The Coming Battle for the Right to Water. Maude is also well known as a major force in passage of the 2010 United Nations Resolution recognizing the right of access to fresh water for all human beings!
* Wenonah Hunter is the Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. She has worked extensively on energy, food, water and environmental issues at the national, state and local level. Experienced in developing policy positions and legislative strategies, she is also a skilled and accomplished organizer, having lobbied and developed grassroots field strategy and action plans. From 1997 to 2005 she served as Director of Public Citizen‚ Energy and Environment Program, which focused on water, food, and energy policy. From 1996 to 1997, she was environmental policy director for Citizen Action, where she worked with the organization’s 30 state-based groups. From 1989 to 1995 she was at the Union of Concerned Scientists where as a senior organizer, she coordinated broad-based, grassroots sustainable energy campaigns in several states. She has an M.S. in Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland.
Benefit Concert for Land Preservation
Join the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve this Friday the 25th at the Landmark Inn for an evening of great music. Legacy’s Universe, a Motown rock/jazz group, will be playing at 7pm in the Harbor Room at the Landmark.
To read more, click here
Indigenous Earth Issues Summit – Friday, March 25th
With a focus on the northwoods, topics on the schedule will range from pre-colonialism diets of the Anishinaabeg to firemaking workshops to using music in environmental activism.
For more information and to view movie clips,click here
Fundraiser WAFFLE Breakfast
WAVE – a new citizen-based group seeking to preserve Michigan’s pristine waters invites you to their first fundraiser of the season, a WAFFLE BREAKFAST on Saturday, April 9th from 9 am to 2 pm at Messiah Lutheran Church (305 W. Magnetic St, between Presque Isle Dr. and N. 3rd St.) in Marquette.
To read more, click here
Remember to make your tax-deductible contribution to SAVE THE WILD UP!
Thank You!
Your Friends at Save The Wild U.P.
For Immediate Release, March 22, 2011
Contact: Marc Fink, Center for Biological Diversity, (218) 525-3884
Contact: Betsy Daub, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, (612) 332-9630
DULUTH, Minn.— A change in state law exempting Iron Range Resources from Minnesota’s environmental review requirements prompted conservationists today to dismiss their lawsuit against the agency. The lawsuit had been filed to challenge a premature and illegal loan by Iron Range Resources to PolyMet Mining Company, which is pursuing the state’s first open-pit sulfide mine but has not obtained the required environmental approvals. Instead of addressing the problems identified in the lawsuit, the state simply changed the longstanding rules to benefit the mining proposal.
“Passing new legislation that weakens environmental requirements in response to a lawsuit is public policy at its worst,” said Marc Fink, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity.
Governor Snyder tells us that we are broke, that we are facing a two-billion dollar deficit – and that we must make dreadful cuts in spending.
There is, however, a potential remedy on our doorstep, in that the Michigan Legislature is giving away similar amounts of our natural resources (specifically, metal ores) which could instead be applied to the deficit.
For example: The Eagle Deposit in the Upper Peninsula is to be mined by Rio Tinto, a London-based “mining giant” corporation, probably #3 in the world, depends on who is counting.
The value of the metals therein is around 4.7 billion dollars, with much more to come.
To put 4.7 billion into terms which Joe Doakes can comprehend: $4,700,000,000 in dollar bills taped end-to-end would stretch this far :
4,700,000,000 divided by (5280 ft/mile x 2 bills/foot) = 445,000 miles.
Most of us simply cannot even grasp 445,000 miles in our mind. Like deer in the headlights we are truly blinded by the numbers. The accountants are not blinded by them and take advantage of our blindness.
Anyway – the State has no firm plans for taxing the profits on that income – which will go offshore. King George lll, the villain in your Revolutionary War, is chuckling in his grave.
At the Flambeau Mine in Wisconsin Rio Tinto paid a miserly 2.5% to the state.
Considering the magnitude of the loot and the probability that more mines would follow – let it be known that we, the people, want/demand a fair share of the income from Michigan’s non-renewable resources.
Let us follow the lead of the Australian government which recently placed stiff taxes (initially 40%) on excessive income from resources.
Can we get a mining tax like that in Michigan? You bet! How? Call Sen. Goeff Hansen (517/373-1635) and State Representative Ray Franz (517/373-0825) to demand that they push for enactment of an Australian-type supertax on profits from your resources. And do it NOW!
Jack Parker, Mining Engineer Laura Gauger
Baltic, MI 49963 Duluth, MN
tel. 906-482-0099 218-724-3004
ldn@Ludingtondailynews.com
READ Updated Commentary, March 14, 2011 0313 Gene Editorial Power Amendment
Original Press Release February 21, 2011
Big Bay, Michigan
A citizen group located in northern Marquette County of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, announces the filing of a Petition for Contested Case Hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings in Lansing, Michigan. The Concerned Citizens of Big Bay, made up of citizens residing in and around the tiny community of Big Bay on the south shore of Lake Superior, contend regulatory failure of due process and enforcement by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE/DEQ) in their oversight and enforcement of Part 632 Non-Ferrous Metallic Mining Statute, which regulates the first metallic sulfide mine in the state of Michigan.
The group contends that the DNRE/DEQ failed to require a Part 632 Amendment in the construction and extension of electric service from Marquette, MI to the Rio Tinto Eagle Mine site, located 8 miles from Big Bay, as required by the Part 632 statute.
“No one is above the law. “ Gene Champagne, leader of the group stated. “The people of Big Bay, whose community will be the most severely impacted community by Rio Tinto’s proposed mine and any other projects that follow it, demand the Rio Tinto follow the laws that they help craft in Part 632. We are tired of Rio Tinto’s ‘blame the victim’ strategy when decrying the delay of their project. Rio Tinto further delays their own project every time that they ignore the law by using their multitude of lawyers to figure out a way around the law. The law was written to protect Michigan citizens and their environment, not to cater to some self-imposed company deadline.”
The petition asserts: “The DNRE/DEQ repeatedly, in correspondence, assured citizens and groups that if the electric line was going to be extended from the main transmission line at CR 550 to the Eagle Mine site on the Yellow Dog Plains, Rio Tinto would be required to file an amendment. This did not happen.”
The citizens also petitioned that any court action be conducted in Marquette County. “We are representing ourselves in this petition and have not the resource to hire a lawyer that may travel at our will. We would be further injured by this action if all of the citizens of this action and their witnesses were required to come to Lansing to bring this grievance forward.”
The petition asks that the DNRE/DEQ demand the mining company file a Part 632 Amendment for the construction of electric service from the city of Marquette to the Rio Tinto Eagle Mine site on the Yellow Dog Plains – fulfilling all parts of Part 632 including a two year Environmental Impact Assessment as required by the statute. Levying of violations and fines; stoppage of all electric power grid work, and the demand for public hearing in Big Bay are all part of the petitioner’s request.
Rio Tinto, the third largest mining company in the world, began construction of the Eagle Mine in the summer of 2010. The mining company’s current mining permit calls for the use of a diesel generating plant at the mine site, as this remote region of the Yellow Dog Plains has never had any kind of utility infrastructure.
The State of Michigan instituted a process within the Department of Environmental Quality, under Governor Jennifer Granholm, allowing “aggrieved” persons to file a petition for an Administrative hearing for action or non-actions of the DNRE/DEQ in their regulatory processes. Contested cases are presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) from the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules.
“We were not represented by due process in the full replacement of new transmission lines from Marquette to Big Bay, nor in the process of buried industrial service to the Rio Tinto Eagle Mine site. There were no environmental assessments, no reclamation plans, no contingency plans, no review of financial insurances and absolutely no provision or opportunity for public comment by the DNRE/DEQ. We are aggrieved.”
The group seeks to highlight that the lack of regulatory oversight of Part 632, in this metallic sulfide mine or any other like mine, is unacceptable. “The Part 632 regulatory process is intended to protect not only the environment, but to ensure there is no harm to the safety of citizens or harm to the community and it’s ability to plan adequately around this new permitted activity. “
Contact: Gene Champagne, Concerned Citizens of Big Bay 906 345-9217