December 15, 2009
After addressing pollution concerns at the former Cliffs-Dow site, the Marquette City Commission took public comment on a proposed anti-ballot initiative resolution [read Marquette City Resolution Opposing Water Mining Ballot Initiative]. The “MiWater” ballot initiative would place greater restrictions on metallic sulfide and uranium mining activities in Michigan. Despite offering unanimous support for the resolution, commissioners presented a fairly diverse argument in their opposition to the MiWater ballot initiative. The majority of citizens providing public comment outlined various arguments in support of the ballot effort.
New commissioner David Saint-Onge questioned why the City was considering the resolution.
“As a new guy on the commission, I’m not so sure why this issue comes before us, to be honest with you, why we’re taking the amount of time that we’ve taken to address this issue – not that it’s not important,” said Saint-Onge. “I do believe that there are some portions of the resolution that’s being offered this evening that are unnecessarily inflammatory.” Read the rest of this entry »
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Eagle Mine, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, uranium, water, Michigan, workers, economy, lake superior, water pollution | Tagged: Rio Tinto, Kennecott, water, pollution, yellow dog plains, Eagle Mine, water pollution, workers, uranium, cameco, humboldt, deq, politicians, economy | 
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Posted by LSMN
December 2, 2009
At a recent meeting in Ely, Minnesota a mining company actively exploring the state for metallic sulfide ore bodies expressed opposition to a project that would allow residents to better understand water quality in the area. If the mining industry can’t stop it, the project would represent a significant investment for remote Lake County and could help ensure that the area’s lucrative tourism industry remains intact for years to come.
Bob and Pat Tammen Canoe on Birch Lake; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen
On November 19, the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) outlined plans before the Lake County Board for an extensive water testing effort of the Kawishiwi River watershed in order to locate pollution sources and prevent future pollution. The project would be funded with $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and could possibly attract matching funds. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Duluth Metals, Film, gold, lake superior, Minnesota, public land, water, water pollution | Tagged: Duluth Metals, Film, Minnesota, pollution, water, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
September 14, 2009
In an excellent introduction to the New York Times’ series, “Toxic Waters,” Charles Duhigg notes that federal Clean Water Act violations have increased dramatically in recent years, with more than 506,000 violations from 2004 to 2007 with the number increasing by 16% over that short three-year period. Shockingly, only 3% of violations have resulted in fines or “significant” punishment.
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3 Comments | Cliffs Natural Resources, Michigan, water | Tagged: clean water act, cliffs, Kennecott, Michigan, pollution, Rio Tinto, water | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
August 9, 2009
Cliffs Natural Resources’ Empire and Tilden Mines are the likely cause of high levels of selenium pollution in Goose Lake, Goose Lake Inlet, Warner Creek, and other smaller streams surrounding tailings piles at the company’s iron ore mining complex, in Marquette County. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Comments | Cliffs Natural Resources, Michigan, water | Tagged: cliffs, Michigan, pollution, selenium, water | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
March 20, 2009
by Gabriel Caplett
Marquette, Michigan – Current pollution from past chemical, mining and military operations were addressed alongside the potential for continued public health threats posed by coal power generation and mining activities, Thursday, at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse, in Marquette. The event, organized by the Great Lakes Health and Environment Action League (HEAL), featured presentations by area health professionals, toxicologists and university professors.
Event moderator, Gene Champagne, said the event was significant for many because public health concerns are “universal.”
“No one wants to be ill,” said Champagne. “We’re talking about the health, our own health, our parents, our children. That matters to everyone.” Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Health, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, water | Tagged: Health, Kennecott, Michigan, pollution, Rio Tinto, water, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
April 2, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
Metallic sulfide mining on the Yellow Dog Plains threatens the last remaining naturally reproducing population of the potamodromous Coaster Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) on the southern shore of Lake Superior. Because the trout is not located within the boundaries of the actual mine site, Kennecott Mineral’s Environmental Impact Assessment makes no mention of the trout that its operations would invariably impact.[1]
On April 10, 2007, Patrick Kochanny, Chairman of Michigan Trout Unlimited (MCTU) issued a press release stating that “Trout Unlimited and the Michigan Council strongly oppose this project, and believe that it is in the best interest of the State of Michigan and the Salmon Trout River to deny Kennecott’s application at this time.”[2
Kochanny continued: “We are seriously concerned that [the DEQ’s] analysis and review of the permit application may not have been conducted properly.” Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Eagle Mine, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, Michigan, public land, water, wildlife | Tagged: coaster brook trout, Eagle Mine, Kennecott, Michigan, pollution, Rio Tinto, water, yellow dog plains | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
April 2, 2007
by Gabriel Caplett
On March 1, 2007, the Michigan DEQ (MDEQ) withdrew its proposed approval of Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co.’s permit application.[1] The decision was made following the exposure of the DEQ’s failure to publicly disclose a crucial report regarding the crown pillar subsidence and hydrologic stability of Kennecott’s Eagle Project.
DEQ Hears Public Comment, Lansing, December 2005; Photo courtesy Doug Cornett
The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) had submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to the DEQ, attempting to retrieve a report regarding crown pillar subsidence and the hydrologic stability of the Eagle Project. NWF lawyer, Michelle Halley, stated that the DEQ initially ignored the requests then submitted only partial information before finally releasing the report.
In a phone interview, Steven Wilson, in the DEQ’s Office of Geological Survey, noted that, at the agency, “many reports get lost or shredded.”[2] Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Eagle Mine, Health, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, Law, Michigan, water pollution | Tagged: deq, Dow Chemical, Eagle Mine, Law, Michigan, politicians, pollution, water pollution | Permalink
Posted by LSMN
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