To the Journal editor:
I am writing this letter to express my objection to Marquette County Road 595. I cannot deny some of my reasoning is sentimental and emotionally based, but other conclusions are based on much thought. Continue reading
To the Journal editor:
The decision on Rio Tinto’s haul route is down to the wire and residents of Marquette County are stuck with a list of dismal options that include creating Marquette County Road 595 through a wilderness area, sending massive ore trucks down County Road 550 and through Marquette, and establishing a haul route on County Road 510 that would endanger residents and wildlife. Continue reading
To the Journal editor:
On Aug. 28, the EPA will conduct a public hearing at the request of the Michigan Department Quality on the proposed County Road 595. Both agencies are charged with preserving and protecting our natural resources for present and future generations. Continue reading
CHICAGO (July 30, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on August 28th to take comments on the Marquette County Road Commission’s application for a wetland fill permit for the construction of County Road 595. EPA scheduled the hearing at the request of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
The Road Commission has proposed a new 21.5-mile primary county road, running north-south between U.S. Highway 41 and County Road Triple A, through Champion, Ely, Humboldt and Michigamme Townships. According to the application, construction would affect 25.81 acres of wetlands and would require the building of 22 stream crossings.
MDEQ has the authority to issue permits for projects under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for wetlands, lakes and streams. EPA’s role is to ensure that proposed projects comply with federal guidelines. At the hearing, EPA will take comments on two issues: (1) whether there are practical, alternate routes for the road which would have less impact on aquatic resources; and (2) proposals to mitigate damage to wetlands and streams.
Oral and written comments will be taken at the public hearing. EPA will hold an informational question-and-answer session immediately before the public hearing — at 6 p.m. on Aug. 28. The public hearing begins at 7 p.m. Both will be held at Northern Michigan University, Don H. Bottums University Center, Ontario/Michigan/Huron Rooms, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette.
The public comment period started on July 27 and concludes on Sept. 4, 2012. Comments should be addressed to Melanie Haveman, U.S. EPA (WW-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604-3590 or r5_cr595_comments@epa.gov. For questions or additional information, call EPA toll-free at 800-621-8431, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,week days. Related documents and information about the public hearing are available on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/region5/water/cr595.
The official records are also available at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St., Ishpeming.
Contact Information: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, rowan.anne@epa.gov; Peter Cassell, 312-886-6234, cassell.peter@epa.gov; Brad Wurfel, 517-241-7395, wurfelb@michigan.gov
To the Journal editor:
Why is the county pretending that building CR 595 would benefit the community and the region? Review the 595 application. It does not take a keen scientific mind to see that this project would be extremely destructive and is completely unnecessary for our economic or any other kind of well-being. Recent comments from both the Army Corps and Fish and Wildlife confirm this.