Here are some comments on the Humboldt Mill permit.

First, we must thank Hal Fitch for his promise to respond to all written comments. We appreciate the gesture.
I read the newspapers and watched WLUC-TV6 coverage of the event, but didn’t learn much.
I saw a lot of empty seats and heard that the majority of those present were in favor of the project. I have heard nothing more in the past week. But two especially strong points were presented and not reported.

1. Speaker Teresa Bertossi, independent, quoted Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven Chester who has freely admitted that budget restraints and pressure to handle more projects have left the department underfunded and undermanned. We can understand that, and we commiserate.
In the present context, with the Kennecott applications, Mining Team Leader Joe Maki did not have the help he needed. His team did not have the expertise to evaluate legal and technical issues. He said as much in court. We understand their predicament.

2. Speaker Cynthia Pryor, Yellow Dog Plains Preservation, forcefully read from a long and detailed list of items wherein Kennecott had not met the requirements of Part 632 of the Michigan Mining Law by failing, in each instance, to demonstrate that their plans could be carried out successfully, either by demonstration or with documented evidence that similar plans had been used successfully elsewhere, in similar circumstances. (The alternative would be – “Just trust me.”)

In the first instance the punchline would be: Extenuating circumstances notwithstanding given that the evaluating agency was not qualified then no permits should have been issued, and all permits and agreements must be revoked.

In the second instance it was shown that Kennecott had not met the requirements of the law, so the application should have been turned down as administratively incomplete at a much earlier date, and it should be rejected forthwith. MDEQ must uphold the law.

We ask, therefore, for those lapses to be corrected: That the application be rejected and the permits and agreements revoked immediately. Thank you.

I’m still pro-mining, but only if it’s done right.
Jack Parker
Baltic

Author Eric Hansen will present a slide tour of the U.P.’s best hikes, waterfalls and scenic vistas in Ann Arbor November 17.

His theme is: The Poetry and Practicalities of Hiking Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Hansen, an award-winning conservation essayist, is the author of Hiking Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – A Guide to the Greatest Hiking Adventures in the U.P. Nine hundred miles of memorable hiking research went into that project.

Also a well-known advocate for U.P. conservation causes, Hansen’s presentations feature an update on current U.P. conservation themes, including the metallic sulfide mining controversy. See url’s below for his Ann Arbor appearance at the Huron Valley Group of the Sierra Club 7:30pm, November 17. Matthaei Botanical Gardens (1800 N Dixboro Rd Ann Arbor, Michigan. Also below is an audio clip, plus other U.P. credits and essays.

He has highlighted the U.P.’s rich natural heritage in adventure features for Backpacker Magazine, the op-ed pages of our region’s leading journals, and in numerous public radio interviews.

Widely traveled, he is a veteran of 28 treks to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, successful ascents of most of the high peaks in Glacier National Park and a mellow and memorable telemark-style ski descent of Colorado’s highest peak, Mount Elbert.

http://michigan.sierraclub.org/huron/index.asp

http://www.quietwatersymposium.org/The_Poetry_and_the_Practicalities_of_Hiking_Michigan.pdf

A WUWM interview marking the launch of Eric Hansen’s U.P. book.
http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_at10.php?articleid=57
Drag the bar to the 17 minute, 50 second mark to begin U.P segment.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/29549204.html

http://wilderness.org/content/omnibus-tour-beaver-basin

TRAVERSE CITY – A documentary by Northern Michigan filmmakers exploring the controversial topic of metallic sulfide mining in Michigan has won a 2009 Telly Award.

The bronze award in the documentary category was awarded to “Mining Madness, Water Wars: The Great Lakes in the Balance” – a film co-produced by Brauer Productions, Inc. and Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLC, for the National Wildlife Federation.

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, the finest film and video productions, and groundbreaking web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards receives over 13,000 entries annually from all 50 states and countries around the world.

Screened for audiences for the first time last November, “Mining Madness” is currently making the rounds of film festivals and screening events throughout the Midwest. The film was underwritten by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

The award represents the 12th Telly win for Brauer Productions, Inc, a Traverse City production company with more than 30 years of experience in the field of video production, television commercials and feature films. As co-producer and director of photography on “Mining Madness,” owner Rich Brauer is credited with capturing the beauty of the Upper Peninsula on video and creating the stirring visuals that contributed to the production’s impact. His team also edited the 33-minute program.

“It was a pleasure to work on this important piece, made even more gratifying by the Telly Award win. We pride ourselves in bringing the best production standards to every project, whether feature film, corporate video, commercial work, or, as in this case, documentary,” Brauer commented.

Sharing the award with Brauer Productions is Summit Public Relations Strategies, LLC, of Sault Ste. Marie. Owner Angela Nebel co-produced and directed the 2008 film.

“We set out to create a documentary film that explored this complex subject in a way that was informative, but also challenged the audience to think deeply about future impacts of mining in Michigan and around the Great Lakes,” Nebel explained. “Audience response indicates that people better understand the issue as a result of this film. The news of our Telly Award win is icing on the cake.”

National Wildlife Federation representative Michelle Halley praised and congratulated both filmmakers.

“Ms. Nebel led this project from start to finish, including wisely combining her vision for the film with the talents of the team at Brauer Productions. Speaking for National Wildlife Federation, we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the film and the fact that both companies are being recognized for their outstanding accomplishment.”

For a list of future “Mining Madness, Water Wars” screening events or to watch the program online, visit NWF.org/greatlakes.