Why the Governor needs to oppose this mine

Originally published in The North Woods Call (Feb 14, 2007)
Readers Who Care by Hugh McDiarmid Jr., Michigan Environmental Council

Governor GranholmMichigan’s environmental community – which overwhelmingly backed Gov. Jennifer Granholm in her re-election bid – joined forces with grassroots groups and lashed out at the Governor for recklessly endangering the environment. In a show of strength, they went as far as placing a scathing, full-page newspaper advertisement taking her to task. View the ad (PDF).

We thought you might be interested in the reasons why. It’s part of an important story that is playing out in the Upper Peninsula with serious implications for all of Michigan. Continue reading

DEQ Reverses Kennecott Preliminary Decision!!!

March 1, 2007

DEQ Reverses Kennecott Preliminary Decision!!!

Congratulations to everyone who has put their time and effort into this issue.


It is a wonderful step in a positive direction.
Let’s keep the momentum!

 


The MDEQ just released a statement explaining that new information on the structural integrity of the proposed Kennecott mine site on the Yellow Dog Plains has caused them to reverse their preliminary approval of the permit application. They also announced that the upcoming Public Hearings in both Marquette and Lansing have been cancelled.

Click here to view the Press Release

UPDATE: AP reporter John Flesher has a thorough article on yesterday’s acknowledgement by the DEQ that they hadn’t adequately considered reports questioning whether the mine’s roof would hold up. Read DEQ withdraws tentative backing of Kennecott Mine.

 

 


Please take a few minutes to celebrate, contemplate and communicate with others! We will try to provide more information to all of you as it becomes available. <!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>

‘Smoking Gun’ memo revealed

Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation issued a statement yesterday that you should read in its entirety. Here’s a taste:

Today, Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality issued a statement vacating its draft decision to permit a sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula because of a ‘smoking gun’ memo critical of the mine that the agency’s own employees covered up …

We believe it is time for an independent investigation of the DEQ’s process for the Kennecott mining proposal, as well as other major permits that have come before the department.

We stand firmly behind the position we’ve had since Day 1: This mine puts the health of our people and communities at risk for no good reason … Sulfide mining has proven deadly to rivers, streams and communities in other states. And jeopardizing the health of our state for 75 jobs—that’s not the future we want for Michigan and our families. It’s not worth the risk.”

Read Michigan DEQ Admits Cover Up of ‘Smoking Gun’ Memo.

Greg Brown CD & DEQ Mine Hearings

Greg Brown

Greg Brown’s newest album, a live recording of his August 2005 performance at the Peterson Auditorium in Ishpeming, Michigan, is a raw, reverent commentary on the times we live in and a testament to the artist’s love for the wild lands and waters of the Upper Peninsula. Greg Brown performed the concert to benefit the Yellow Dog for free, and, after arriving two hours late because of flight delays, he treated the audience to a fresh batch of brand new songs and reworkings of old favorites.

“I brought out my notebook tonight. I’m gonna sing a bunch of stuff I never sung before. I figure it’s been kind of a nutty day already, why not just take it on home that way…” Brown said. “I’m proud to be here. Proud to stand up for a little river.”

All proceeds for the album will go to the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, an organization dedicated to protecting the Yellow Dog river. A metallic sulfide mine has been proposed within the Yellow Dog Watershed.

The Department of Environmental Quality will hold hearings on the proposed mine from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. & 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. March 6-8 at the University Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. The DEQ plans to make a final decision in May. Public commentary is welcome and encouraged.

The CD will be released by Michigan label Earthwork Music, and they are offering a buy one, get one free deal for the new record to all those who come to the hearing to support the Yellow Dog Watershed.

Photo credit: Greg Brown in Missoula by Chris Lombardi, get details on the disc and photos from the show at Earthwork Music and check below for the Yellow Dog cd cover! Continue reading

Coaster Brook Trout in Danger

Coaster Brook TroutTrout Unlimited tells us that there was once an abundant population of coaster brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) across Lake Superior that drew anglers from across the country. Over-fishing, introduction of new species and the destruction of the trout’s habitat reduced the coasters’ numbers to today’s small populations.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Salmon Trout River in northern Marquette County is thought to be the only location for natural reproduction of the coaster brook trout in Michigan. Today, 26 governmental agencies, tribal entities, non-profit organizations and universities from across Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ontario are working together to rehabilitate the coaster brook trout.

Is this mine worth the risk to another irreplaceable species?

Further Reading

Governor Granholm Missteps With Proposed Mine Approval

Jan. 9, 2007
DEQ’s decision dismisses alarming dangers from risky U.P. sulfide mine

Gov. Jennifer Granholm brushed aside glaring shortcomings in a Kennecott Minerals Co. plan to drill in an Upper Peninsula sulfide rock formation when her regulators gave preliminary approval to the plan today.

The nickel mine, which would generate hundreds of thousands of tons of acid-leaching waste rock from underneath the Yellow Dog Plains near Marquette, would be the only mine of its type in Michigan. Several other potential U.P mine sites are pending, as companies wait to see how stringently state officials apply environmental safeguards to Kennecott.

“This sets the bar for what may well be a rush to extract minerals from across the Upper Peninsula, so it’s not just another permit application,” said Andy Buchsbaum of the National Wildlife Federation. “We’re appalled that Governor Granholm’s people appear – at least preliminarily – unwilling to set that bar at a level which protects water resources and the tourism-related jobs in the U.P.”

Environmental groups who were instrumental in forging new regulations regarding the risky sulfide mining in 2006 expressed disappointment that those rules are being interpreted loosely by the Granholm administration.
Continue reading

DEQ disappoints with proposed mine approval

January 9, 2007

Failures in permit application overlooked by Governor’s regulators

Despite a seriously flawed permit application and the wishes of thousands of residents, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality granted preliminary approval today to the Kennecott Minerals Co. plan to drill into sulfide rock below the Yellow Dog Plains in northwestern Marquette County.

The DEQ will now continue its technical review and, by law, will make a final decision following another public hearing and comment period. The issuance or final denial of the permit will determine whether the project moves forward.

A host of local groups, including the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Save the Wild UP, Huron Mountain Club, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and others who have been joined in recent months by statewide environmental groups in advocating for a proposed denial, say this proposed decision is wrong for Michigan. Continue reading