Tag Archives: Science

New Book: “The Real Story of the Flambeau mine”

Posted on by

The Buzzards Have LandedThe Buzzards Have Landed! tells the real story of how a British mining company muscled its way into a small rural community in northern Wisconsin to build a gold, copper and silver mine on the banks of the Flambeau River.

Stories of the grassroots resistance movement, protests, arrests, state and local governmental actions, mining company maneuvers and lawsuits abound. The book also includes numerous charts and graphs demonstrating the negligible impact of the mine on the local economy and the serious nature of ongoing pollution problems at the mine site.

Authors Roscoe Churchill and Laura Furtman combine human interest with hard facts to create a story certain to be of interest to environmentalists, Native American communities, sociologists, lawmakers, environmental attorneys, economists, educators, historians … and anyone who enjoys reading a colorful story!

Learn More about the book or find out how to order a copy.

Al Gedicks: Sulfide Farce

Posted on by

Examples show sulfide farce

By Al Gedicks

At the recent public hearings on Kennecott’s proposed Eagle Project metallic sulfide mine, company officials cited Kennecott’s Ladysmith (Wis.) mine as a model of responsible mining. This is sheer nonsense.

Neither the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources nor Kennecott disputes that there is water pollution at the mining site. Public records show that the Flambeau (Wis.) Mine has polluted Stream C, a state navigable water that flows directly into the Flambeau River, with levels of copper that exceed the state’s water quality standards. At the recent contested case hearing on Kennecott’s application for a Certificate of Completion for the Flambeau Mine, Dr. John Coleman of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission testified that all the copper readings in water discharging to Stream C between 1999 and 2005 exceeded what the Department of Natural Resources estimates is the level of concern for discharge to waters such as Stream C, and on average exceeded the level that was considered allowable under the wastewater discharge permit that was in place during mining.

To read the rest of the article click here

For detailed infromation on Flambeau mine click here 

Aerial Exploration in Menominee County

Posted on by

Aquila Completes Airborne Geophysical Survey

TORONTO, ONTARIO — (MARKET WIRE) — 10/04/07 — AQUILA RESOURCES INC. (TSX: AQA)(FRANKFURT: JM4A) (“Aquila” or the “Company”) today announced that an airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey at the Back Forty project in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan has been completed. The survey encompassed a block approximately 35 kilometers by 14 kilometers with line spacings of 100 and 200 meters, and was designed to evaluate the mineral potential of favorable rocks extending to the east of known mineralization at the project.

To read the rest of the article click here

Area physicians pass resolution opposing sulfide mine

Posted on by

MARQUETTE – Area physicians concerned about the public health implications of a proposed sulfide mine voted overwhelmingly last week to pass a resolution opposing the project.

At a quarterly medical staff meeting, 117 physicians cast their vote in favor of the resolution, which expressed their wish to “urge the Michigan DEQ to deny the permits (air, water, mining, and state land use) for the Kennecott sulfide mine proposed in Marquette County.”

Scott Emerson, MD, was in attendance at the meeting and said the mood was one of euphoria because the physicians were grateful for an opportunity to discuss the project and their concerns.

“Would you allow a surgeon that had a history of complications to work on your mother? That’s really what we’re talking about with this mine, isn’t it,” Emerson said, explaining the comparison of mining to medicine. “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and physicians understand that.”

Emerson, an area emergency physician, said the health of the community was one of the major driving forces behind the vote.

“It’s a health issue and, as physicians, we are concerned about preventative medicine. That means we are concerned about our air and water, too. Many physicians have been told by patients how concerned they are and really wanted the medical community to stand up for their health concerns,” he explained.

Prior to the vote, physicians discussed a number of concerns in addition to the health implications, including inadequate hydrology studies, potential for Lake Superior contamination, air exhaust carrying particulate dust, and general errors and assumptions that do not meet state environmental statutes.

In addition, Emerson said there is general concern about what he called a “threshold phenomenon.”

“You’re opening the gates. This isn’t about approving one mine, but opening the gates to 20, 30 or more. That’s what physicians are also worried about. Is that part of the DEQ calculation? We don’t think so,” he explained.

The resolution passed by the physicians was read in Lansing Wednesday at the final public hearing on the proposed sulfide mine.

Press Release on the Marquette DEQ/DNR hearings

Posted on by

Citizens push MDEQ to reject proposed mine

Hearings reveal informed citizenry opposed to risky sulfide mine

Marquette, MI – People of all ages, professions, educational backgrounds and income levels spoke as one this week when the overwhelming majority told state regulators in no uncertain terms that permitting a metallic sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains would be a grave mistake.

Over the course of four days of public hearings in Marquette County, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality listened as everyday citizens including doctors, engineers, lawyers, and even miners spoke of air quality, water pollutants, quality of life, and an abiding love for Lake Superior and the Yellow Dog Plains.

What they heard very little of was support for the proposed mine. A handful of individuals with direct financial ties to the proposed mine spoke in favor of the project but were far outnumbered by opponents who expressed concern about the applications submitted by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company and informed skepticism for mining company promises.

Dick Huey, co-founder of Save the Wild UP, reflected on the hearings.

“This has been a week that proved anew that the citizen side of democracy is alive and well. People have learned the issues that plague sulfide mining, they’ve researched their facts, gathered to testify in an orderly way, and have become a tide of opposition to this mine for a host of good reasons. It just remains to be seen if the governmental side of democracy will work as well, or whether politics as usual, big money, and spin will rule the day,” Huey said.

Michelle Halley, attorney for the National Wildlife Federation, commented on the employment-related testimony of the few who spoke in favor of the project.

“There is absolutely nothing in the nonferrous mining law or rules that allows the MDEQ to base this decision on economics – even if the company could prove the state and local governments would get their fair share – which they can’t. MDEQ is charged with evaluating the applications based on whether they meet the required standards, and countless experts have provided irrefutable testimony that Kennecott’s plan will not protect the environment and cannot meet the standards of law,” Halley explained.

Both Huey and Halley were reassured by the testimony of Marquette County citizens.

“The testimony this week provides additional reassurance that we are on firm ground and representing the wishes of the majority,” Halley said, adding, “and convincing MDEQ to grant these permits is just the beginning of the company’s battles. Kennecott is ignoring the fact that the United States Environmental Protection Agency is also requiring federal permits because the mine threatens drinking water; those permitting procedures have barely even begun.”

One inaccuracy that was pointed out by several citizens during testimony was Kennecott’s representation of the situation at its Flambeau mine in Wisconsin. Contrary to company statements that the project received its 2007 Certificate of Completion, Wisconsin court documents show that Kennecott received only a partial certificate of completion due to problems with 32 acres of the site. According to the documents, Kennecott must continue remediation efforts and monitoring of water, soils, crayfish and walleye in that area for a variety of heavy metals. The company, according to court documents, cannot apply for a certificate of completion for at least three years.

“I wonder which 32 acres on the Yellow Dog Plains would be sacrificed if Flambeau is the example to which Kennecott aspires,” Huey remarked. “To label Flambeau a success when 32 acres requires on-going remediation and monitoring because of pollutants in the soil, water, and aquatic life is shameful. Citizens who knew the real facts of Flambeau proved once again that company spin is no match for those willing to dig deeper for the truth,” he said.

The MDEQ panel will accept additional public testimony on September 19 at a hearing in Lansing at the Lansing Center. Written testimony will also be received through October 17.

Click here for our online letter campaign

Click here to download Flambeau information

Restoring Great Lakes would bring the region $50 Billion in economic gain

Posted on by

New Report on the Economic Benefit of healthy Great Lakes.

A New Report finds that restoring Great Lakes would bring the region $50 Billion in economic gain. It also found that clean-up would also lead to $30 Billion-$50 Billion in short-term economic activity. This report is further evidence why Michigan should say no to the development of a new sulfide mining district, starting with the denial of the Kennecott permit application.

‘The Great Lakes economy depends on the health of the Great Lakes‘

Click here to read the National Wildlife Federation Press Release on Brookings Great Lakes Report, or go directly to the presentation of the report or visit http://www.healthylakes.org/

September DEQ Public Hearing dates!

Posted on by

These Public Hearings and comment period are your opportunity to voice your concerns for Kennecott’s proposed mine on the Yellow Dog Plains.

Take Action now!

Click here to access our online letter to send to the DEQ/DNR

Click here to use a cut and paste version of the letter

Click here to find your elected representatives

The Last Public Hearing will be held on:

September 19, 1 – 4:30 pm and 6 – 9:30 pm
Lansing Center, Rooms 203 and 204, 333 E. Michigan Ave.,
Lansing, Michigan

Written comments are accepted any time, now through October 17, 2007. You can send them either postal mail or e-mail to the following addresses:DEQ/DNR Kennecott CommentsOffice of Geological Survey

P.O. Box 30256

, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7756 or by e-mail at DEQ-Kennecott-comments@michigan.gov
According to a e-mail from Steve Wilson at the DEQ, the updated public hearing notice is posted on the internet. Mr. Wilson has also posted the updated Part 632 permit conditions.

Here We Go Again!

Posted on by

Monday, July 30 2007

The DEQ is resuming the permit application process after a 5-month investigation into missing documents, possible malfeasance by a DEQ employee and serious safety issues with the Kennecott’s mine plan. We need anyone and everyone who is concerned about the proposed mine to step up and speak out at the public hearings or send in your letters urging the DEQ to deny this permit.

Public Hearing dates in Marquette and Lansing

We will post a driving directions & a map as the hearing date approaches.

-from the DEQ Eagle Project Update Page:

“The DEQ has resumed its review of the Eagle Project Mine permit application and reinstated its earlier proposed decision to approve a series of permits to the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company. This decision remains only a proposal and the public will continue to have an opportunity to provide their comments. Public hearings have been scheduled in Marquette at the NMU University Center on September 10, near Marquette at the West Branch Community Center in Forsyth Township from September 11-13, as well as in Lansing at the Lansing Center on September 19. The public comment period will remain open through October 17, and written comments can be sent to DEQ/DNR Kennecott Comments, Office of Geological Survey, P.O. Box 30256, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7756, or by e-mail at DEQ-Kennecott-comments@michigan.gov.”

Note the change in the mail and e-mail address for the comments. All electronic correspondence used to be sent to Steve Wilson (wilsonse@michigan.gov)

Additional Info from the State of Michigan

Detroit Free Press Editorial calls for caution

Posted on by

The following is from a Mon, July 23 editorial from the Detroit Free Press.
“The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality may resolve this week how to proceed with a draft permit for nickel mining near Marquette. The process has become so muddled that it really makes sense to just start over with a clean slate. But that is clearly not going to happen.

So there is a burden on the DEQ to provide clear evidence that it has carefully reviewed every aspect of the draft permit. This is the draft that was initially put forth for comment in February, then pulled back when it became known that a document criticizing the roof thickness proposed for the mine had never been made public.”

Click here for the rest of the story