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Note: Special Reports are updated periodically here; Updated: July 6, 2010 Click Here
for details on WIMS Information Service Products Kennecott Eagle Mine Proposal & Related Activities Important Links
Federal Legislation
WIMS Articles
EPA Agrees No UIC
Permit Needed For Kennecott Mine - Jul 1, 2010: Access the
complete letter from EPA (click
here). Access EPA's Kennecott Eagle Mine website for complete
background information (click
here).
New Questions & Controversy Over Kennecott UIC Permit - Mar 22, 2010: Access the Kennecott letter to MDNRE (click here). Access the MDNRE letter to Kennecott (click here). Access the AP article (click here). Access the Lake Superior Mining News blog (click here). Access the article in the Marquette Mining Journal (click here). Access EPA's website for the Kennecott's Eagle Mine project and Federal permits for extensive information on the UIC permit (click here). Meeting On
Modifications To Kennecott Groundwater Permit - Mar 2, 2010: Access a release
from MDNRE (click
here, posted soon). Access the proposal (click
here).
MDNRE Approves Humboldt
Mill Facility Permits - Feb 9, 2010: Access a release from MDNRE (click
here). Access copies of the permits and additional information
(click here).
Groups Will Challenge
MDEQ Kennecott Mine Approval - Jan 15: Access a release from NWF (click
here).
Reactions To Kennecott Eagle Mine Final Approval - Jan 14, 2010: Access a release from MEC (click here). Access a release from Kennecott (click here).
MDEQ Issues Final Approval For Kennecott Eagle Mine Project - Jan
14, 2010: Access a release
from MDEQ (click
here). Access the
178-page original administrative PFD (click
here).
MDEQ
Director Remands Kennecott Decision To Administrative Judge - Nov
6, 2009: Access a release from MDEQ (click
here, posted soon). Access the 178-page
administrative decision (click
here).
Administrative
Decision Would Allow Kennecott Mining Permits - Aug 18, 2009: Access the
178-page administrative decision (click
here). Access a release from the groups on
the decision (click
here). Access a release on the petitioners appeal (click
here). Access a release from Kennecott (click
here).
Court Upholds MDNR Lease To Kennecott - Mar 5, 2009: Access a release from Kennecott (click here). Access the complete court decision (click here).
Kennecott Eagle Mine In Michigan Temporarily Deferred
- Feb 12, 2009: Access a summary and link to the complete release (click
here). Access a previous Marquette Mining Journal article with
more details (click
here).
Public Meeting Scheduled On Humboldt Mill Permit
Application - Feb 5, 2009: Access an
announcement from MDEQ (click
here). Access links to the massive permit application and related
information (click
here).
NWF Reveals Kennecott Part 201 Violations - Jan 22, 2009: Access a release from NWF (click here). Access the Kennecott FOIA documents (click here).
EPA To Hold Meetings On
Kennecott Mine UIC Permit - Oct 9, 2008: Access a release
from EPA (click
here). Access a copy of the permit application and more
information about the Eagle mine project and the underground injection
control program (click
here).
Comment On ESA Petition To List Coaster Brook Trout - Mar 20, 2008: Access the complete FR announcement (click here). Access the FWS Docket to submit and review comments, etc. (click here). Access additional information on the Coaster Brook Trout from FWS (click here). Access the actual 56-page petition to the FWS on Coaster Brook Trout (click here).
MDNR Approves
Land Lease & Reclamation Plan For Kennecott Mine - Feb 7,
2008: Access a release from Kennecott (click
here). Access a release from NWF (click
here). Access the MDEQ OGS
Eagle Mine Information website for links to additional information (click
here). Access the MDEQ Kennecott website for the Metallic Mineral
Mining Operations Surface Use Lease Revised 01/28/08 (click
here). Access the NRC Agenda for links to the Kennecott Mining
and Reclamation Plan and Surface Use List (click
here, scroll down to
Director's Action Items).
U.S. EPA Continues Kennecott
UIC Permit Review - Jan 14, 2008: EPA's Phillippa Cannon of the Office
of Public Affairs told WIMS on January 14 that, "EPA is in the process of
reviewing the Underground Injection Control permit application, including
whether any additional federal laws or regulations might impact construction
activities." Access EPA's announcement of the Kennecott UIC permit
requirement
(click
here).
Scholars Urge
Governor & NRC To Oppose Kennecott Mine - Dec 17, 2007. Access
a posted release from the professors (click
here). Access the letter to the Governor including the list of
signers (click
here). Access the NRC January 10, 2008 agenda with links to the
staff recommendations (click
here, page 2). Access the
71-page Kennecott Mining and Reclamation Plan and MDNR comments (click
here). Access the 5-page staff memo recommending approval (click
here). Access a release from the groups on their legal actions (click
here).
Kennecott Receives MDEQ Mine, Air & Groundwater Permits - Dec 14, 2007:
Access a release from Kennecott (click
here).
Access the
MDEQ OGS Eagle Mine Information website for links to additional information
including
all permit changes and supporting information
(click
here). Access a release from
MDEQ (click
here).
Kennecott Commits To Mine Air Filtration System - Oct. 18, 2007: Access a release from Kennecott (click here). Access the Kennecott Eagle Mine website for additional information (click here). NWF Says Kennecott
Eagle Project "Too Risky" - Oct 18, 2007: Access a release from
NWF (click
here). Access the MDEQ OGS Eagle Mine Information website for links
to additional information (click
here).
New U.P. Group Supports
Kennecott Mine Proposal - Oct 17, 2007: Access the Citizens for
Responsible Mining website for additional information (click
here). Access various media reports (click
here). Access the MDEQ OGS Eagle Mine Information website for links
to additional information (click
here).
Kennecott Mine
Opponents Pleased With Hearings - Sep 17, 2007: Access a release
from Save the Wild UP (click
here). Access an article from the Marquette Mining Journal (click
here).
Kennecott Mine Proposal: Updated Hearing & Document Notice - Aug 6: MDEQ has issued an updated public hearing notice for the Kennecott Eagle Project proposed nickel and copper mine to be located in Michigamme Township, Marquette County, Michigan, about 30 miles northwest of Marquette. MDEQ has expanded the sessions for the three public hearings scheduled for: September 10 (Northern Michigan University); September 13 (old K.I. Sawyer AFB); and September 19 (Lansing). MDEQ has also updated various permit documents as indicated and linked below. Written comments may be submitted by mail or e-mail until 5:00 PM, October 17, 2007.
Access the updated Public
Hearing Notice for details and
locations (click
here). Access the
updated Part 632 Nonferrous
Metallic Minerals Permit
Conditions (click
here). Access the updated
Air Quality Permit documents (click
here). Access the updated
groundwater discharge permit (click
here). Access the updated
MDNR metallic mineral lease (click
here).
Access the MDEQ OGS Eagle Mine
Information website for links to
additional information (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report on
the Kennecott Mining Proposal for
previous WIMS articles, links and
background information (click
here). [*MIAll]
Enviros React To MDEQ
Kennecott Approval - Jul
30: Michigan environmental groups,
including Michigan Environmental
Council (MEC), Michigan League of
Conservation Voters Education Fund
and the Sierra Club’s Michigan
Chapter, reacted immediately to the
MDEQ's announcement of its
preliminary approval of the
Kennecott Eagle Project near
Marquette [See WIMS 7/30/07]. The
groups called the proposal "flawed"
and said it "ignores gaping
shortcomings in the mining safety
plan and puts the region’s economy
and natural resources at risk."
MDEQ
Preliminarily
Approves
Kennecott
Application;
Hearings Set
- Jul 30:
MDEQ and the
Michigan
Department
of Natural
Resources
(MDNR)
announced
they will
hold a
consolidated
public
hearing on
the
Kennecott
Eagle
Project near
Marquette on
September 11
and 12; and
another
hearing in
Lansing on
September
19, 2007.
The highly
controversial
Project
is a
proposed
nickel and
copper mine
and
associated
processing
equipment
located in
Sections 11
and 12,
T50N, R29W,
Michigamme
Township,
Marquette
County,
Michigan,
about 30
miles
northwest of
Marquette.
Kennecott
Eagle
Minerals
Company,
Marquette,
Michigan,
submitted
the
applications
for the
Kennecott
Eagle
Project
pursuant to
State
regulations.
In addition
to comments
received at
the
hearings,
comments
presented by
October 17,
2007, will
be
considered
prior to
final
action.
The
purpose of
the hearing
is to allow
all
interested
parties the
opportunity
to comment
on the
following
proposed
actions: 1)
the proposed
conditional
approval of
the MDEQ
Draft
Michigan Air
Use Permit
for the
installation
and
operation of
the process;
2) the
proposed
approval of
the MDEQ
draft
Groundwater
Discharge
Permit for
the
discharge of
Mine Contact
Water; 3)
the proposed
decision to
grant MDEQ
Nonferrous
Metallic
Mineral
Mining
Permit
Application
for
operation
and
reclamation
and draft
permit; 4)
the proposed
MDNR draft
State Land
Lease
Agreement
for surface
use of State
land for the
proposed
production
facility;
and; 5) the
proposed
draft Mine
Reclamation
Plan
pursuant to
Kennecott's
metallic
mineral
lease with
the MDNR.
The hearing
will be
recorded.
Throughout
the hearing
hours,
technical
staff of the
MDEQ and
MDNR will be
available in
an area
adjacent to
hearing room
to answer
questions
regarding
the
Departments’
reviews and
proposed
actions. In
order to
accommodate
the
anticipated
number of
speakers,
presentations
will be
limited to
five
minutes.
Written
comments
will also be
received at
the hearing.
MDEQ/MDNR
have also
prepared a
3-page
Public
Hearing
Overview
document
that
provides a
summary of
the various
permits and
the
procedures
to be
followed at
the
hearings.
MDEQ has
also issued
a 3-page Proposed
Decision
document to
grant a
Mining
Permit to
Kennecott
Eagle
Minerals
Company
(Kennecott)
for the
proposed
Eagle
Project mine
in
Michigamme
Township,
Marquette
County. The
proposed
decision is
issued under
the
provisions
of Section
63205 (MCL
324 63205)
of Part 632,
Nonferrous
Metallic
Mineral
Mining, of
the Natural
Resources
and
Environmental
Protection
Act, 1994 PA
451, as
amended
(NREPA).
MDEQ has
indicated,
"The DEQ has
conducted a
detailed and
comprehensive
review and
evaluation
of the
permit
application
and
supplemental
information
submitted by
Kennecott,
and of all
public
comments it
has received
thus far.
Based on all
information
available at
this time,
the DEQ has
determined
that the
application
appears to
meet the
requirements
for approval
under Part
632.
This is a
preliminary
decision."
MDEQ will consider additional information and comments from the public hearings and comment period and indicates that
Part 632
requires it
to then
issue a
final
decision on
the Mining
Permit on or
before
November 14,
2007;
however, the
final
decision
date may be
extended if
MDEQ
requires
additional
information
from
Kennecott
based on
questions
raised by
public
comments.
Final
decisions on
the
Groundwater
Discharge
and Air Use
Permits, and
on the MDNR
surface
lease, will
also be made
subsequent
to the
hearing. The
Proposed
Decision
document
also
provides a
brief
background
of the
Kennecott
permit
application
and reviews
and events
that have
taken place
thus far.
Access
the public
hearing
notice with
complete
details on
times and
locations of
the hearings
(click
here).
Access the
Public
Hearing
Overview
document (click
here).
Access the
Proposed
Decision
document (click
here).
Access the
MDEQ
Kennecott
Project
website for
all
documents (click
here).
Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort
Special
Report on
the
Kennecott
Mining
Proposal for
previous WIMS
articles, links
and
background
information
(click
here). [*All]
Kennecott Eagle Project Update - Jul 2: MDEQ Geological Survey Division has provided notice that it has added a new report to the Kennecott Eagle Project website entitled, Review of the Evaluation of Crown Pillar Stability for the Proposed Eagle Mine. The report by Report by Dr. Wilson Blake is a review of the data and conclusions about mine safety and stability of the proposed Kennecott Eagle Project that have been made by Dr. David Sainsbury for Itasca Consulting Group Inc. and Golder Associates Ltd.
According to
the Executive
Summary of the
report,
"Kennecott
Eagle Minerals
has submitted
a Mining
Permit
Application
for their
Eagle Project
in the
"The
concern with
respect to
crown pillar
stability for
the mining
plan presented
in the 2006
Mining Permit
Application
for the Eagle
Project of
Kennecott
Minerals was
warranted.
The initial
geotechnical
work did not
establish a
stable crown
pillar, and
there was
insufficient
geotechnical
and
hydrological
data available
to determine
the subsidence
and
hydrological
response due
to mining.
"Subsequent
geotechnical
work has
resulted in
establishing
an upper
mining
elevation
limit that
will allow for
mining to be
carried out
below and not
have any
effect on the
surface. The
Mining Permit
Application
for the Eagle
Project has
been modified
to incorporate
this upper
mining limit
(Phase 3).
Additional
geotechnical
data
collection
will take
place during
mining and a
Phase 3 crown
pillar study
will be
carried
out. The
Itasca
Consulting
Group has
endorsed the
revised Mining
Permit
Application.
"I concur with
Access the Kennecott Eagle Project website (click here). Access the complete 8-page report (click here). Access the WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report on the Kennecott Mining Proposal for, previous WIMS articles, links and background information (click here). Investigation Concludes No Staff Violations In Kennecott Review - May 15: MDEQ has posted documents from an independent review of the procedures and processes that led to important documents not being made public in the review of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company Eagle Project Mine Application.
On March 1,
2007, in a
surprising
announcement,
MDEQ announced
it had withdrawn
its highly
controversial
proposed
decision to
approve the
Kennecott Eagle
Minerals
Company permit
for the proposed
Eagle Project
Mine 25 miles
northwest of
Marquette. The
decision was
made after MDEQ
became aware
that two adverse
reports on the
structural
integrity of the
mine were not
made part of the
public record or
given a
comprehensive
technical
review.
Simultaneously,
MDEQ postponed
the public
hearings that
had
been scheduled
for March 6-8 in
Marquette and
March 12 in
Lansing. MDEQ
also announced
at that time
it would be
undertaking an
extensive
procedural
review to
determine how
the documents
were not
immediately
given the proper
consideration
and to ensure
that there is a
complete public
record of
information
related to the
mining proposal
and its review.
On March
8, several major
Michigan
environmental
organizations
called for the
"reassignment"
of MDEQ's top
mining
regulator,
Geological
Survey Division
Chief Hal Fitch.
The documents,
dated April 30,
and May 1, 2007
(just posted)
include: a Report
from Dr. Donald
Inman of EcoLogic
Ltd regarding the
investigation into
the Processing of
the Kennecott
Eagle Minerals
Company Eagle
Project Mine
Application; a
1-page Summary of
Review from
Department of
Human Services,
Office of Labor
Relations
regarding the
investigation into
the Processing of
the Kennecott
Eagle Minerals
Company Eagle
Project Mine
Application; and
an Appendix to
EcoLogic
Report (16 MB).
The Inman report
includes a number
of recommendations
for improvements
to the review
process.
According to
the 1-page
summary, "It has
been determined
that there is no
evidence to
conclude any
violations
occurred in the
processing of
the...
Application.
Specifically, Mr.
Joe Maki, did not
act with malice or
deliberate
disregard of
public interest
when he
deleted/disposed a
document (or
documents)
prepared by Dr.
David
Sainsbury(Itasca),
one labeled May,
2006 and another
labeled May 2006
with the word
(Draft) inscribed
on it. Further,
there is no
evidence that any
other employee was
involved in the
deleting/discarding
or the document(s)...
My findings also
concur with the
findings of the
report completed
by Dr. Don Inman."
Access the
8-page Report from
Don Inman (click
here).
Access the 1-page
Summary (click
here).
Access the
407-page Appendix
(click
here).
[*MIAll]
Former
Governor Milliken
Opposes Kennecott Mine
Proposal -
May 16: Former
Republican Governor
Bill Milliken
(1969-1982) speaks out
in the Detroit Free
Press with a
commentary on the
highly controversial
proposed Kennecott
Eagle Minerals
Company nickel mining
operations at the
Eagle Project mine 25
miles northwest of
Marquette.
On March 1,
2007, in a surprising
announcement,
MDEQ announced it had
withdrawn its highly
controversial proposed
decision to approve
the Kennecott Eagle
Minerals
Company permit for the
proposed Eagle Project
Mine 25 miles
northwest of
Marquette. The
decision was made
after MDEQ became
aware that two adverse
reports on the
structural integrity
of the mine were not
made part of the
public record or given
a comprehensive
technical review.
Simultaneously, MDEQ
postponed the public
hearings that had
been scheduled for
March 6-8 in Marquette
and March 12 in
Lansing.
Access the
Milliken commentary (click
here). Access
the WIMS-EcoBizPort
Special Report on the
Kennecott Mining
Proposal for,
previous WIMS
articles, links and
background information
(click
here). [*MIAll]
Washington Post Article On UP Kennecott Mine Proposal - Apr 3: The Washington Post ran an article entitled, Upper Peninsula Looks Ahead, And Back, as Mine Interests Call, by Staff Writer Kari Lydersen in its April 3, 2007, edition. The article quotes Peter Dykema, a Washington lawyer and sixth-generation Huron Mountain Club member as saying, "This area is so sufficiently unusual, precious and delicate that the mine should not be located here. We're not against mining -- the world needs nickel and Michigan needs jobs. But it shouldn't be here."
The article reviews
the history of UP mining
and mentions others and
the varying points of
view on the
proposal including:
Kennecott project
manager Jon Cherry;
Sierra Club; Upper
Peninsula Construction
Council; a retired UP
mining engineer;
National Wildlife
Federation; and Northern
Michigan University.
On March 1, 2007, in
a surprising
announcement,
MDEQ announced it had
withdrawn its highly
controversial proposed
decision to approve the
Kennecott Eagle Minerals
Company permit for the
proposed Eagle Project
Mine 25 miles northwest
of Marquette. The
decision was made after
MDEQ became aware that
two adverse reports on
the structural integrity
of the mine were not
made part of the public
record or given a
comprehensive technical
review. Simultaneously,
MDEQ postponed the
public hearings that had
been scheduled for March
6-8 in Marquette and
March 12 in Lansing.
Since that time
environmental
organizations have
called for the removal
of MDEQ's top mining
regulator, Geological
Survey Division Chief,
Hal Fitch. On March 23,
U.S. EPA Region
5 announced that it had
notified Kennecott that
it must obtain an
underground injection
control (UIC) permit
before it can begin
construction of its
proposed wastewater
disposal well.
Access the
Washington Post article
(click
here). Access
the WIMS-EcoBizPort
Special Report on the
Kennecott Mining
Proposal for,
previous WIMS
articles, links and
background information (click
here). [*MIAll]
EPA Enters Kennecott
Mine Decision Making
- Mar 23, 2007: While MDEQ
continues its investigations
into permitting
irregularities, U.S. EPA
Region 5 has notified
Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co.
in Marquette, that it must
obtain an underground
injection control (UIC)
permit before it can begin
construction of a proposed
wastewater disposal
well. EPA said Kennecott is
proposing to begin a mining
operation in northern
Michigan. The well would be
used to dispose of
industrial process
wastewater. MDEQ Releases Kennecott "Reference Catalogs" - Mar 19: MDEQ issued a very brief announcement via email message, regarding the Kennecott Mine proposal entitled, "Reference Catalogs available." The announcement contained no explanation about what it was or how it related to the Kennecott proposed Eagle Project mine review. Although not explained, the documents released obviously relate to the two reports that were suppressed from the MDEQ review and resulted in MDEQ's withdrawal of its preliminary approval of the proposed permit.
The
entire message reads: "The
following catalogs of files
are now available. Reports
and Technical Communications
submitted by Arcadis regarding
financial
assurance. Additional
reference files were provided
by Arcadis. These are
available from other web
sites, a list is available on
request. Reports and Technical
Communications submitted by
MFG regarding geochemistry and
crown pillar considerations."
The message contained links to
the two reports mentioned and
to the "list" available on
request.
The first "catalog of files"
is a 35-page document of a
report and communications and
comments between consultant
Arcadis and Joe Maki, MDEQ
UP
District Geologist in Gwinn,
MI.
ARCADIS,
Inc. (ARCADIS) was tasked to
evaluate the financial
assurance cost elements
prepared by Kennecott Eagle
Minerals Company (Kennecott)
for their proposed underground
nickel and copper mine in
Michigamme Township, Marquette
County, Michigan. The
financial assurance is
comprised of costs for
reclamation, monitoring,
closure, post-closure, agency
oversight and contingencies.
The purpose of ARCADIS’ scope
of work is to enable the MDEQ,
Office of Geological Survey (OGS),
to determine the proper
accounting of all such costs
had been determined and
addressed.
The
second "catalog of files" is a
103-page document of reports
and communications between
consultant MFG, Inc. (a Tetra
Tech Company) and various MDEQ
officials including Joe Maki.
MFG was a
consultant charged to review
the geochemical data collected
from the proposed mine site to
determine if they are
sufficient to describe the
potential reactivities of
rocks in the mine area upon
exposure to air and water. The
mine area may include the
underground workings, waste
rock storage facilities,
tailings impoundments, and any
other facilities designed to
contain rock excavated from
the mine.
On March 1, MDEQ announced
that it had withdrawn its
highly controversial proposed
decision to approve a permit
for the proposed Eagle Project
Mine 25 miles northwest of
Marquette. The decision was
made after discovering that
two reports on the structural
integrity of the mine were not
made part of the public record
or given a comprehensive
technical review.
Simultaneously, MDEQ postponed
the public hearings which had
already been scheduled for
early March in Marquette and
in Lansing.
Access the 35-page
document involving ARCADIS (click
here). Access the
103-page document involving
MFG (click
here). Access the
"list" indicated as "available
on request," which is
posted on the WIMS-EcoBizPort (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report
on the Kennecott Mining
Proposal for, previous WIMS
articles, links and background
information (click
here). [*MIAll]
Enviros Call For Removal
Of MDEQ Mine Chief -
Mar 8: Several Michigan
environmental organizations,
including The League of
Conservation Voters Education
Fund, Michigan Environmental
Council, Save the Wild UP and
Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter;
are calling for the
"reassignment" of MDEQ's top
mining regulator, Geological
Survey Division Chief Hal Fitch.
They said replacing Fitch
is essential to restoring
integrity to the Agency’s mine
permitting process. In a release
they said, "Fitch’s sloppy
oversight of the proposed
Kennecott Minerals Co. sulfide
mine in Michigan’s Upper
Peninsula has undermined the
state’s tough new mining laws,
put the U.P.’s tourism economy
and natural resources at risk,
and shattered public confidence
in the mining permit process."
The groups think the process
needs to start over under new
leadership.
Access a joint release from
the organizations (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report
on the Kennecott Mining Proposal
for, previous WIMS
articles, links and background
information (click
here). [*MIAll]
American Rivers Hails MDEQ's Kennecott Decision - Mar 2: The national environmental organization, American Rivers, hailed the withdrawal of a draft approval decision by MDEQ for the Kennecott Minerals Company’s proposed Eagle Project to mine nickel and copper near Marquette, which they say would convert roughly 92 acres of forest and wetlands at the Salmon Trout River’s headwaters in the prestine Huron Mountains area into an industrial zone. In a surprising move on March 1, MDEQ withdrew its preliminary approval and cancelled public hearings in Marquette and Lansing when it was discovered that critical technical documents, questioning the integrity of the project, were surpressed from the MDEQ and public review process. Last year, American Rivers listed the Salmon Trout River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers. Rebecca Wodder, President of American Rivers said, “The Salmon Trout River is one of the gems of the U.P., a jewel worth a lot more to Michigan than a small amount of copper and nickel. There are some places that sulfide mining just doesn’t belong, and the headwaters of the Salmon Trout River would have to be close to the top of that list.” In a release American Rivers indicated the Salmon Trout River flows through the Huron Mountains and empties into Salmon Trout Bay on Lake Superior. The headwaters of the river begin in the Yellow Dog Plains, in the heart of one of the Midwest’s few and most significant remaining wildernesses, with abundant wildlife such as moose and wolves. Home to the one of the only known breeding population of the native coaster brook trout on Lake Superior’s south shore, the Salmon Trout River is currently in excellent ecological health. Access a release from American Rivers and links to the Most Endangered Rivers listings (click here). Access the WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report on the Kennecott Mining Proposal for links and background information (click here). [*MIAll] MDEQ Withdraws Kennecott Approval; Cancels Hearings - Mar 1: In a surprising announcement, MDEQ announced that it had withdrawn its highly controversial proposed decision to approve a permit for the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company to conduct mining operations at the proposed Eagle Project Mine 25 miles northwest of Marquette. The decision was made after discovering that two reports on the structural integrity of the mine were not made part of the public record or given a comprehensive technical review. Simultaneously, MDEQ postponed the public hearings, scheduled for March 6-8 in Marquette and March 12 in Lansing, and said they would be rescheduled at a later date.
MDEQ said that as a
result of the suppressed
documents, there has been an
insufficient opportunity for
the entire mining team and
MDEQ management to review
the additional technical
reports and determine their
significance from a
technical, legal, and policy
perspective. MDEQ Director
Steven Chester said, "This
department has committed
itself to making this
process as open and
transparent as possible. In
light of this information,
we must allow the needed
time for ourselves, as well
as the public, to give it
the appropriate review. I
regret that canceling the
hearings at this time may
create an inconvenience for
those who were planning to
attend, but it is critical
for us to gain a better
understanding of the
situation before we engage
in that important part of
this process."
MDEQ indicated in a
release that in addition to
a technical review of the
reports, the Department will
be undertaking an extensive
procedural review to
determine how these
documents were not
immediately given the proper
consideration and to ensure
that there is a complete
public record of information
related to the mining
proposal and its review.
During this review, affected
staff will be reassigned to
other projects. MDEQ said
it will share the findings
of its review with the
public as that information
becomes available. MDEQ also
release the two technical
reports which were
apparently not considered in
the review.
One 24-page document,
and another 7-page technical
memorandum prepared in May
2006, analyzing
crown
pillar stability say,
"The
analysis techniques used to
assess the Eagle crown
pillar stability do not
reflect industry
best-practice. In addition,
the hydrologic stability of
the crown pillar has not
been considered. Therefore,
the conclusions made within
the Eagle Project Mining
Permit Application regarding
crown pillar subsidence are
not considered to be
defensible."
Major environmental
organizations and citizens
that had previously
presented the Governor with
10,000 signatures opposing
the project, reacted
immediately. Sierra Club and
Michigan Environmental
Council issued a joint
release saying, "In a
project of this magnitude,
with so much at stake, it's
inconceivable that this
could happen. We have been
arguing all along that the
mine did not meet safety
standards, so to learn that
key data has been buried
explains, but doesn't
forgive, the preliminary
decision to approve the
mine." The groups called for
a thorough investigation
into how key technical
reports were buried, who
buried them, and what their
motivations were.
They said, "We have confidence in the mining law and in the process that's been created to evaluate proposed mining operations. But none of that matters if there's incompetence or malfeasance on the part of the people who apply those rules." They said, "The Kennecott Minerals Co. 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."
Access a release from MDEQ (click
here). Access a
release from environmental
organizations (click
here). Access the
MDEQ Kennecott review
website for links to the
documents and related permit
review information (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special
Report on the Kennecott
Mining Proposal for links
and background information (click
here). [*MIAll]
General & Special Kennecott Conditions Released - Feb 23: Late Friday (February 23) afternoon, MDEQ released Draft General and Special Conditions that would govern the activities and operations of Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company [See WIMS Special Report below] and that would be incorporated into a Mining Permit under Part 632 of 1994 PA 451, should a final decision to issue a permit be made. MDEQ is making these Draft Conditions available in order to provide an opportunity for the public to evaluate the proposed decision in light of the terms of governance that would be attached to a prospective permit and to provide for public comment on the adequacy of the conditions.
MDEQ will be holding public
hearings on the proposed permit,
which it has approved,
in Lansing on March 12 at the
Lansing Center and on three
consecutive dates, March 6, 7
and 8, at Northern Michigan
University in Marquette. Written
comments may be submitted
through April 5, 2007.
The Eagle Project Mine proposes
to produce nickel, copper, and
other metals from a small but
rich metal sulfide deposit
located about 30 miles northwest
of Marquette in the pristine
Huron Mountains area near the
Salmon Trout River. On January
9, 2007, MDEQ announced it had
completed an "extensive,
involved review and evaluation"
of the plans and information
submitted by Kennecott, as well
as all public comments and had
decided to approve issuing the
Mining Permit.
Access the
general and specific conditions
(click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report
on the Kennecott Mining Proposal
for links and background
information (click
here). [*MIAll]
MDEQ Announces
Lansing Hearing On Kennecott
Proposal - Feb 16:
MDEQ announced it will hold
a public hearing in Lansing
on a proposed decision to
approve a mining permit to
the Kennecott Eagle Minerals
Company to conduct nickel
mining operations at the
proposed Eagle Project mine
25 miles northwest of
Marquette. The Lansing
hearing will be held March
12 at the Lansing Center
from 1:00 to 4:30 PM and
6:00 to 9:00 PM. On January
30, 2007, over ten Statewide
organizations and business
leaders in southeast
Michigan requested in
writing that the State hold
a public hearing in Lansing
to give downstate residents
a chance to voice their
concerns over the current
proposal. A public hearing
is being held from 1:00-4:30
PM and 6:00-9:00 PM on three
consecutive dates, March 6,
7 and 8, 2007, at Northern
Michigan University
in Marquette.
MDEQ and Michigan
Department of Natural
Resources (MDNR) made the
proposed decision to grant
the permit on January 9,
2007. MDEQ said the final
decision to grant or deny
the permit, which it expects
to make later this year,
will take into account all
additional comments and
recommendations
received. MDEQ will accept
written comments on the
proposed mine permit through
April 5, 2007.
On February 19, the
Michigan League of
Conservation Voters
Education Fund (LCV
Ed.Fund) and its allies
across the State say they
were encouraged by news
that MDEQ will be holding
two public hearings in
Lansing on March 12 on the
highly
controversial, Kennecott Eagle Mining Company proposal. Lisa Wozniak, Executive Director for the Michigan LCV Ed. Fund said, "It's encouraging that the DEQ appears to be coming closer to understanding the enormity of the public's concerns over this particular mine. The landmark decision over whether this mine is permitted or not deserves the utmost in terms of agency scrutiny and public involvement in the final decision."
Access a release
from MDEQ (click
here). Access a
posted release from
Michigan LCV (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special
Report on the Kennecott
Mining Proposal for links
and background information
(click
here).
[*MIAll]
MDEQ/MDNR Notice Of Hearings/Comment On Kennecott Mine Proposal - Feb 5: MDEQ and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) have provided official notice of a consolidated public hearing and comment period for the State’s proposed decision to issue a sulfide mining permit to Kennecott Eagle Mineral Corp. The Eagle Project Mine proposes to produce nickel, copper, and other metals from a small but rich metal sulfide deposit located about 30 miles northwest of Marquette in the pristine Huron Mountains area near the Salmon Trout River.
The public hearing will be
held from 1:00-4:30 PM and
6:00-9:00 PM on three
consecutive dates, March 6, 7
and 8, 2007, at Northern
Michigan University, Don H.
Bottum University Center,
second floor, 1401 Presque
Isle Avenue, Marquette. The
hearing will cover several
items: 1) the proposed
conditional approval of the
MDEQ Draft Michigan Air Use
Permit for the installation
and operation of the process,
including control equipment
pertaining thereto; (2) the
approval of the MDEQ draft
Groundwater Discharge Permit
for the discharge of treated
process wastewater from the
proposed mine operation; (3)
the proposed decision of the
granting of the MDEQ
Nonferrous Metallic Mineral
Mining Permit Application for
operation and reclamation; (4)
the review of the MDNR draft
State Land Lease Agreement for
surface use of State land for
the proposed production
facility and; (5) the review
of the draft Mine Reclamation
Plan pursuant to Kennecott's
metallic mineral lease with
the MDNR. The official
public comment period will
continue following the hearing
until 5:00 PM,
Thursday, April 5, 2007.
On January 9, 2007, MDEQ announced it had completed what it called an extensive, involved review and evaluation of the plans and information submitted by Kennecott, as well as all public comments received throughout the entire application review process. MDEQ said it found that the Kennecott application fulfills all of the requirements of Part 632, and Kennecott's plans provide for proper protection of the environment, natural resources, and public health and safety. Therefore, MDEQ has proposed to grant the Mining Permit [See WIMS 1/9/07]. The MDEQ Draft Air Quality Permit Documents: 1) Permit No. 50-06 Draft Permit Conditions, 2) 50-06 Fact Sheet, 3) 50-06 Notice of Hearing and 4) 50-06 the Overarching Document are posted on the MDEQ's Kennecott Eagle Project website (See link below). MDEQ previously indicated that following the hearing and public comment period a final decision will be made. The deadline for a final decision will fall in early May 2007, but it may be extended if issues raised in public comments cause MDEQ to require additional information from Kennecott.
On January 8, 2007,
environmental groups and U.P
citizens presented the
Governor with some ten
thousand petion signatures
opposing the mine proposal
[See WIMS 1/8/07]. Also, on
January 30, 2007, over ten
statewide organizations
and business leaders in
southeast Michigan requested
in writing that the State
hold a public hearing in
Lansing to give downstate
residents a chance to voice
their concerns over the
current proposal. The groups
said, “It would be a real
travesty if the DEQ sticks
with their current plan of
holding no public hearings in
the Lower Peninsula. People
who live south of the Mackinac
Bridge care deeply about the
U.P. They have real concerns
about a proposed mine that
would degrade what many
consider to be God’s country.
They have a right to be
heard." MDEQ's notice did not
include any hearings in the
Lower Peninsula.
Access the MDEQ Kennecott
Eagle Project website for
links to pertinent documents (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report
on the Kennecott Mining
Proposal for links and
background information (click
here). [*MIAll]
Groups Want Downstate Hearing On Kennecott Permit - Jan 30: In a letter sent to officials at MDEQ, a coalition of conservation and environmental groups called for more public participation in the State’s proposed decision to issue a sulfide mining permit to Kennecott Eagle Mineral Corp. for a mine northwest of Marquette. The letter was signed by over ten statewide organizations and a long list of business leaders in southeast Michigan calling on the Governor and MDEQ to hold a public hearing in Lansing to give downstate residents a chance to voice their concerns over the current proposal. Andy Buchsbaum from the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Regional Office in Ann Arbor said, “It would be a real travesty if the DEQ sticks with their current plan of holding no public hearings in the Lower Peninsula. People who live south of the Mackinac Bridge care deeply about the U.P. They have real concerns about a proposed mine that would degrade what many consider to be God’s country. They have a right to be heard."
On January 9, 2007, MDEQ
issued a preliminary
approval to Kennecott Eagle
Minerals Corp. to open a
metallic sulfide mine in the
pristine Huron Mountain area
25 miles northwest of
Marquette [See WIMS 1/9/07].
MDEQ said it found that the
Kennecott application
fulfills all of the
requirements of Part 632,
and Kennecott's plans
provide for proper
protection of the
environment, natural
resources, and public health
and safety. Therefore it
proposed to issue the Mining
Permit. At that time, MDEQ
said there is still ample
opportunity for interested
persons to submit new
information to be evaluated
as the final decision is
made. In accordance with
Part 632, MDEQ is planning
to hold public hearings on
March 6, 7, and 8, 2007, in
the Marquette area. A final
decision is likely in early
May 2007.
The environmental groups
claim that this type of
mining always results in
significant acid mine
drainage or heavy metal
contamination, both of which
adversely impact wildlife,
human health and fisheries.
James Clift from the
Michigan Environmental
Council said, “The current
application under review
does not meet the standards
set by Michigan’s tough
sulfide mining laws. The
burden of proof that this
mine can be done safely with
no impact on the local
environment lies on the
mining company. This
application falls far short
of that.” Lisa Wozniak from
the Michigan League of
Conservation Voters said,
“This
is a state-wide issue with
implications for the Great
Lakes and all of Michigan.
The fact that there are
currently no public hearings
scheduled in the Lower
Peninsula is an indication
that the DEQ and the
Governor are trying to push
this permit through under
the radar, without the
public noticing.”
Access a joint release from
the groups (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special
Report on the Kennecott
Mining Proposal for links
and background information (click
here).
[*MIAll]
MDEQ Proposes Approval Of Kennecott Mine Permits - Jan 9: MDEQ announced it has completed what it called an extensive, involved review and evaluation of the plans and information submitted by Kennecott, as well as all public comments received throughout the entire application review process. MDEQ said it finds that the Kennecott application fulfills all of the requirements of Part 632, and Kennecott's plans provide for proper protection of the environment, natural resources, and public health and safety. Therefore the proposed decision is to grant the Mining Permit.
MDEQ said the Eagle Project
Mine proposes to produce nickel,
copper, and other metals from a
small but rich metal sulfide
deposit located about 25 miles
northwest of Marquette in the
Huron Mountains area. Kennecott
would use underground mining
methods that are designed to
avoid impacts to the nearby
Salmon Trout River or adjacent
lands. The entrance to the mine,
as well as the associated
surface facilities, would be at
a remote upland location, and
the ore would be transported by
truck and rail to a processing
site in Ontario. Kennecott
proposes to backfill the
mined-out areas with waste rock,
gravel, and cement and reclaim
the entire area to its original
condition at the conclusion of
mining.
MDEQ notes this is not the
final decision. They said there
is still ample opportunity for
interested persons to submit new
information to be evaluated as
the final decision is made. In
accordance with Part 632, MDEQ
will hold a public hearing in
March 2007, in the Marquette
area. This will be a
consolidated public hearing
which will be an opportunity for
residents to present new
information or additional
concerns about the; 1) Air Use
Permit; 2) draft Groundwater
Discharge Permit; 3) proposed
decision to grant the Mining
Permit; 4) draft Surface Lease,
and; 5) the draft Reclamation
Plan.
In addition to the public hearing, written public comments will be accepted for 28 days following the hearing. Following the hearing and public comment period a final decision will be made. The deadline for a final decision will fall in early May 2007, but it may be extended if issues raised in public comments cause MDEQ to require additional information from Kennecott. Final decisions on the groundwater discharge and air use permits, and on MDNR surface lease and reclamation plan, will also be made after input from the hearing and public comments. MDEQ indicated it will conduct three days of formal public hearings in Marquette on March 6, 7, and 8. In a message posted on the environmental listserv, EnviroMich, MDEQ press secretary Robert McCann said, "This is obviously an issue that has been of great concern within the environmental community, and the DEQ is committed to maintaining open communication regarding how this interim decision was made. Michigan's new mining laws are among the most environmentally protective in the nation, and throughout the process of our review we have been working to ensure that Kennecott's proposal meets every aspect of what the law requires of them. I believe it is safe to say that this application has received more environmental scrutiny than just about any proposal in Michigan's history. We developed a mining team that was comprised of staff from several DEQ divisions, the Department of Natural Resources, as well as outside geochemical and geotechnical experts. After more than 12 meetings, and countless hours of review, it was the unanimous agreement of this team , and the decision of this department, to offer a proposed approval of these permits..."
On
January 8, an environmental
coalition delivered 10,000
signatures to the Governor,
requesting that she say "no" to
the proposed Kennecott mine [See
WIMS 1/8/07]. Leaders of Upper
Peninsula groups including
property owners, concerned
citizens, faith-based
organizations, and tribal
members were joined by
conservation and environmental
leaders from throughout the
state as they presented the
robust stack of signed
petitions. In a release
responding to the MDEQ decision,
Andy Buchsbaum of the National
Wildlife Federation responded,
"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.
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.”
Access
the MDEQ general announcement on
the Kennecott information
website (click
here). Access a release
on the proposed decision (click
here). Access the
specific, 6-page Proposed
Decision Document (click
here). Access the MDEQ
EnviroMich post (click
here). Access a release
from environmental groups on the
decision (click
here). Access the
WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report
on the Kennecott Mining Proposal
for links and background
information (click
here). [*MIAll]
10,000 Urge Governor To Say No To Kennecott Mine Proposal - Jan 8: In advance of an expected preliminary decision by MDEQ on January 9, 2007, regarding the Kennecott Eagle Minerals permit application for a mine northwest of Marquette in the Huron Mountains area; environmental groups issued a release saying that ten thousand Michigan residents have urged Governor Granholm to say no to what they call "an inadequate permit application for a risky new metallic sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula. A grassroots coalition of U.P. citizens presented the residents’ petition signatures at the State Capitol. The groups say the mining operation will result in "hundreds of thousands of tons of acid-leaching waste, from underneath the Upper Peninsula’s Yellow Dog Plains. Leaders of Upper Peninsula groups including property owners, concerned citizens, faith-based organizations, and tribal members were joined by conservation and environmental leaders from throughout the state as they presented the robust stack of signed petitions. Dana Debel, policy director for Governor Granholm, accepted the petitions on behalf of the Governor and met with grassroots representatives. While meeting with Debel, concerned citizens said "Kennecott has failed to prove that they can mine in this area without harming the region’s natural resources." One major concern is that the mine would be drilled underneath the Salmon-Trout River, home to the only naturally-reproducing strain of the rare coaster brook trout on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Kennecott’s permit application is the first to be considered under Michigan’s new law regulating non-ferrous metallic mineral mining activities. The statute was passed in late 2004. Nearly one year later, the rules promulgation process was completed. In February of 2006, Kennecott filed a mining permit application. Tuesday’s anticipated announcement of a proposed decision by the MDEQ is another step in the process of considering whether the company should be granted a permit, but not the final step. MDEQ will 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. Access a release from the environmental coalition (click here). Access the WIMS-EcoBizPort Special Report on the Kennecott Mining Proposal for links and background information (click here). [*MIAll] Permit Holder "Standing" Bill Enrolled - Dec 6, 2006: The Michigan House and Senate have approved, nearly unanimously, HB 6318, that will eliminate any doubt about the legal "standing" of a permit holder in any administrative procedures [See WIMS 9/25/06]. The bill, which will now be sent to the Governor, will amend the Administrative Procedures Act to specify that in a contested case regarding an application for a "license," the applicant for that license is entitled to be a party in that contested case. The term "license" in the act is defined to refer to "the whole or part of an agency permit, certificate, approval, registration, charter, or similar form of permission." (The term does not include a license required solely for revenue purposes or a license or registration issued under the Michigan Vehicle Code.) The bill evolved from a recent circuit court decision in the Kennecott mining permit case -- since overturned on appeal [See WIMS 9/18/06] -- that prevented the company seeking a mining permit from participating in a court challenge to State approval of the permit.
According to a House legislative
analysis, a representative from the
Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA)
has said: "When manufacturers file
permit applications with the state,
they often have millions and even
hundreds of millions of dollars at
stake. We cannot think of any
circumstance in which a company
would not want to have the
opportunity to respond to
administrative or legal challenges
to their applications or permits. We
believe the law ought to remove any
doubt about whether applicants
should have standing in these
situations." MMA and the Michigan
Chamber of Commerce are both strong
supporters of the bill.
Access the legislative details
and link to analyses of the bill (click
here). [*MIAll]
MDEQ Seeks Comment On Kennecott Eagle Mine Proposal - Nov 14: MDEQ announced that it is extending the deadline for its proposed decision on the application for a Mining Permit for the proposed Kennecott Eagle Project mine until January 9, 2007. MDEQ said the extension allows time for public comment on Kennecott’s response to MDEQ’s list of 91 technical deficiencies in the permit application. MDEQ said it is soliciting comment on additional information submitted on October 27, 2006 by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company (Kennecott) on the application [See WIMS 10/27/06]. The additional information is contained in a letter with attachments from Kennecott entitled, “Response to Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Comments Dated June 21, 2006 on the Eagle Project Mining Permit Application,” and referred to in the MDEQ Notice as the “Supplemental Response.” MDEQ said the extension will allow for consolidation of public hearings on applications for three permits: the Mining Permit, a groundwater discharge permit, and an air discharge permit. MDEQ is accepting public comments on Kennecott’s Supplemental Response for 42 days, until December 26, 2006. MDEQ will review the comments, after which it will make a proposed decision on the Mining Permit application and issue a notice of a consolidated public hearing. MDEQ intends on scheduling one consolidated multi-day public hearing for all three permit applications which is specifically authorized under Part 632 (MCL 324.63206(15)).
The Eagle site is located about 30 miles northwest of Marquette. The proposed mine represents the first application received under Michigan’s new comprehensive mining law - Part 632, Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. Part 632 provides a comprehensive framework to assess and evaluate the environmental impacts, operational controls, and closure activities proposed by the applicant to ensure that Michigan’s natural resources are fully protected.
Access a November 14, 2006 notice regarding the extension, comment period, availability of information and comment procedures (click here). Access links to the extensive files that make up the Permit Application for the Eagle Project including the Kennecott responses to MDEQ 91 technical deficiencies (click here). Access the MDEQ OGS Eagle Mine Information website for links to additional information (click here). [*MIAll] Kennecott Mine Review Continues With New Submittals - Oct 27: According to a release from Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company, a recent Michigan Court of Appeals ruling became effective today (October 27, 2006) because the ruling was not appealed to the Supreme Court [See WIMS 9/18/06]. The deadline now allows MDEQ to resume its processing of a mine permit application submitted earlier this year by the Company. The action also allows Kennecott to submit responses to clarifications requested by MDEQ that the Company has been prepared to submit for several months; however, the MDEQ was prohibited by court order from reviewing the information until the ruling became effective today. Now, that the prohibition has been lifted, Kennecott is submitting the information to MDEQ. In order to allow sufficient time to complete review of the application, including the additional information, Kennecott advised MDEQ early Friday that it was acting on a provision of the law that allows more review time, if the applicant agrees. House Approves Permit Holder "Standing" Bill 106-0 - Sep 20: The Michigan House approved HB 6318 by a unanimous vote of 106-0. The bill would amend the Administrative Procedures Act to specify that in a contested case regarding an application for a "license," the applicant for that license is entitled to be a party in that contested case. The term "license" in the act is defined to refer to "the whole or part of an agency permit, certificate, approval, registration, charter, or similar form of permission." (The term does not include a license required solely for revenue purposes or a license or registration issued under the Michigan Vehicle Code.)
Access the legislative details and link to analyses of the bill (click here). [*All]
MDEQ Kennecott Eagle Project Update - Sep 18, 2006: MDEQ released three XL spreadsheets of data calculations for the Kennecott Eagle Project proposal [See WIMS 6/22/06]. Kennecott submitted plans for the proposed Eagle Project Mine to MDEQ on February 22, 2006. The proposed operation would mine nickel, copper, and other metals from a small but rich deposit located about 25 miles northwest of Marquette and about 10 miles southwest of the community of Big Bay. Kennecott proposes to extract the ore by underground mining, and transport it by truck and railroad to a processing facility in Ontario. On June 21, MDEQ announced that it was requesting Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company to supply supplemental information and data needed to complete a thorough, accurate, and comprehensive review of the Eagle Project Mining Permit Application [See WIMS 6/21/06].
According to a release from Kennecott, Jon Cherry, manager of the company's Eagle Project
Access the new files (click here, zip format). Access a release from Kennecott published on the WIMS-EcoBizPort website (click here). Access the Eagle Mine permit website (click here). Access a September 15, article in the Marquette Mining Journal with further details (click here). Access the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company website for further background and information (click here). [*MIAll] Judge Halts Kennecott Mine Plan - Jun 22: According to a joint release from the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) and the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the groups are applauding a Thursday ruling from Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Paula J.M. Manderfield saying the controversial Kennecott Eagle Project Mine plan must be suspended while legal challenges are heard. NWF said "...the state needs to be more rigorous in protecting the U.P.’s assets from Kennecott. This ruling indicates that the DEQ needs to increase the level of scrutiny and hold Kennecott accountable for the shortcomings. A plan with such potentially devastating consequences must be able to answer tough questions about every aspect of its operation. So far they haven’t been able to.”
Kennecott submitted plans for the proposed Eagle Project Mine to MDEQ on February 22, 2006. The proposed operation would mine nickel, copper, and other metals from a small but rich deposit located about 25 miles northwest of Marquette and about 10 miles southwest of the community of Big Bay. Kennecott proposes to extract the ore by underground mining, and transport it by truck and railroad to a processing facility in Ontario. On June 8, Sierra Club, MEC and NWF, announced that Federally endangered Kirtland’s Warblers had been documented near the proposed mine site [See WIMS 6/8/06]. Also, in February, Sierra Club and the Huron Mountain Club petitioned the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to list the Coaster Brook Trout as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Coaster, once prevalent in
In their release, the groups indicated that MDEQ experts cited 91 problems with the Kennecott application, including concerns about the integrity of liners designed to prevent acid from leaking into waterways and questions about how the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler would be protected. MEC said, “The state’s findings and the court’s ruling support our position that this application has too many unanswered questions, and the risks are too high. The State of Michigan has moved beyond this 19th century mentality of risking prize waters like the Salmon-Trout River for fewer than 100 temporary jobs. We’ve learned our lesson; the jobs disappear, the profits flow to international companies, and Michigan’s residents are left with the pollution.”
Access a release from MEC/NWF (click here). Access the Eagle Mine permit website (click here). Access a June 1, article in the Marquette Mining Journal with further details (click here). [*MIAll] Kennecott Eagle Project Update - Jun 21: According to MDEQ, a letter has been sent by the Department to the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company identifying areas where supplemental information and data are needed to complete a thorough, accurate, and comprehensive review of the Eagle Project Mining Permit Application [See WIMS 6/8/06]. The items in the letter are based on a compilation of: (a) formal comments made the public hearings held on Endangered Kirtland’s Warblers Found Near Kennecott Mine Proposal - Jun 8: According to a joint release from Sierra Club, Michigan Environmental Council and National Wildlife Federation, Federally endangered Kirtland’s Warblers documented near the site of a controversial Kennecott Mining Corporation proposed sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula, northwest of Marquette, should bring the permitting process to a halt while further environmental assessment is conducted. Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation said, “The confirmation of at least one endangered Kirtland’s warbler in the vicinity of the proposed mine site and transportation route raises a new set of concerns about the project and illustrates, again, that the Yellow Dog Plains is a unique habitat that must be protected.” The Sierra Club and the Huron Mountain Club have previously raised concerns about the proposed mine's threat to the headwaters of the Salmon Trout River from the which is the breeding grounds of the Coaster Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The groups have jointly petitioned the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to list the Coaster Brook Trout as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Coaster, once prevalent in
The already endangered Kirtland’s Warblers is one of the world’s rarest birds with only about 1,400 Kirtland’s Warblers existing worldwide. They nest almost exclusively in 10
Kennecott submitted plans for the proposed Eagle Project Mine to MDEQ on February 22, 2006. The proposed operation would mine nickel, copper, and other metals from a small but rich deposit located about 25 miles northwest of Marquette and about 10 miles southwest of the community of Big Bay. Kennecott proposes to extract the ore by underground mining, and transport it by truck and railroad to a processing facility in Ontario.
Access a posted release (click here). Access the Kennecott application review website for additional information and links to documents (click here). Access the permit application files (click here). For further information contact Steven Wilson (click here). [*MIWildlife]
Kennecott Eagle Project Update - May 5: On April 18, 2006, a public meeting was held in Marquette to discuss proposed Kennecott Eagle Project Permit Application. Written public comments are being accepted until the close of business on
Kennecott submitted plans for the proposed Eagle Project Mine to MDEQ on February 22, 2006. The proposed operation would mine nickel, copper, and other metals from a small but rich deposit located about 25 miles northwest of Marquette and about 10 miles southwest of the community of Big Bay. Kennecott proposes to extract the ore by underground mining, and transport it by truck and railroad to a processing facility in Ontario
Access the Kennecott application review website for additional information and links to documents (click here). Access the permit application files (click here). For further information contact Steven Wilson (click here). An unofficial site for the application and review has been established on the Wisconsin-based, Land Information and Computer Graphics Facility website (click here). Access links to various media coverage (click here). [*MIAll]
Reminder:
Public
Meetings
On
Kennecott
Permit
Application
-
Mar
28:
MDEQ
has
issued
a
release
reminder
for the
two
public
meetings
scheduled
to
share
information
and
hear
public
comments
on
the
application
for
a
mining
permit
from
Kennecott
Eagle
Minerals
Company
of
Marquette
[See
WIMS
3/17/06]. The
meetings
will
be
held
April
18,
at
Northern
Michigan
University,
1106
University
Center,
in
the
Michigan
and
Huron
Rooms
(2nd
floor). An
afternoon
meeting
will
be
held
from
1:00
to
4:30 PM
and
an
evening
meeting
from
6:00
to
9:30
PM. The
first
two
hours
of
each
meeting
will
provide
a
chance
for
individuals
and
small
groups
to
take
part
in
informal
question
and
answer
discussions
with
staff
of
MDEQ
and
Department
of
Natural
Resources. The
last
90
minutes
of
each
meeting
will
be
set
aside
for
the
public
to
make
formal
comments
on
the
application
for
MDEQ
consideration.
Kennecott
Application Public
Meetings Announced -
Mar 17: MDEQ's
Office of
Geological Survey
has announced that
it will hold public
meetings on the
Kennecott Eagle
Mine Project
permit
application
on
Access the
Kennecott
application review
website for the
notice and links
to additional
information (click
here). Access
the permit
application files
(click
here).
For further
information
contact Steven
Wilson (click
here). An
unofficial site
for the
application and
review has been
established on the
Wisconsin-based,
Land Information
and Computer
Graphics Facility
website (click
here).
[*MIAll] Kennecott
Application "Administratively
Complete" - Mar 10,
2006:
After announcing on March 8
[See WIMS 3/9/06], that the
Kennecott Eagle Project Part
632 Permit Application, for
the Eagle mine 25 miles
northwest of Marquette was
"Administratively
Incomplete," MDEQ's Office of
Geological Survey now says the
application is
"Administratively Complete."
Accordingly, as of
Access the Kennecott
application review website for
the notice and links to
additional information (click
here). Access the
permit application files (click
here). For further
information contact Steven
Wilson (click
here). An
unofficial site for the
application and review has
been established on the
Wisconsin-based, Land
Information and Computer
Graphics Facility website (click
here).
[*MIAll] Kennecott Application Determined Administratively Incomplete - Mar 8, 2006: MDEQ's Office of Geological Survey has announced that after a review of the Kennecott Eagle Project Part 632 Permit Application, for the Eagle mine south of Marquette [See WIMS 2/24/06], it has been considered "administratively incomplete." A request has been made to the applicant for additional information. In accordance with Part 632, the Permit Application Administrative Completeness Process the application is tolled until the requested material is provided.
Access the Kennecott application
review website for the notice and links
to additional information (click
here). Access the permit
application files (click
here). For further information
contact Steven Wilson (click
here). An unofficial site for
the application and review has been
established on the Wisconsin-based, Land
Information and Computer Graphics
Facility website (click
here).
[*MIAll]
Groups Petition For Coaster Brook Trout
Designation - Feb 23: The Sierra Club
and the Huron Mountain Club jointly petitioned
the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to list the
Coaster Brook Trout
(Salvelinus
fontinalis) as Endangered under the
Endangered Species Act. The Coaster, once
prevalent in MDEQ Receives Kennecott
Eagle Mine Application - Feb 22, 2006: MDEQ,
Office of Geological Survey, has announced that it has
received a Part 632, Nonferrous Metallic Mineral
Mining, Application for Permit to Mine, form the
Kennecott Exploration Company, for the Eagle mine
south of Marquette. MDEQ indicates that the
application will not be available for public review
until Wednesday, March 8, 2006. The application will
be available as part of Office of Geological Survey
publication series Mining Application Report (MAR).
Additional information about the publication will be
forthcoming. If the application is considered
"Administratively Complete," there will be an informal
Public Meeting and a formal Public Hearing held in
Marquette. Written comments relevant to the
application will be accepted until twenty-eight days
after the date of the public hearing on this
application. MDEQ Part 632 Nonferrous
Metallic Mining Rules Effective
- Feb 3, 2006: MDEQ reports that the rules for Part 632
Nonferrous Mining have made their way though the
administrative processes and became effective on February
2, 2006. The Office of Geological Survey indicated in an
email message to interested parties that it anticipates an
application form Kennecott for the Eagle Mine by the end
of February. Preliminary indications are the permit
application will be thousands of pages long. MDEQ has
already established a website for information on the
Kennecott Eagle Mine application and review (See below).
Meeting To Discuss Proposed UP Nickel-Copper Mine - Jul 18, 2005: MDEQ will hold public meeting in Marquette on August 4, to discuss tentative plans for a potential new underground mine in Marquette County. This informational meeting will be held from 7-9 PM at the University Center Building, Northern Michigan University. The proposal is by Kennecott's tentative plans for a nickel-copper mine at the Eagle Project site 30 miles northwest of Marquette. The meeting will discuss how the proposal would be evaluated under environmental laws and the public may voice concerns. MDEQ says it is sponsoring the meeting "to promote open and frank communication with citizens and interest groups." Access a release (click here). Contact Robert McCann for further information Email: (click here); Phone: 517-241-7397. [*MIAll]
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