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U.P. Mine Dangerous, Say Leading Mining Experts
MARQUETTE, MICH. (October 18)-A team of national mining experts today explained how a controversial mine proposed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is too risky based on threats it poses to the state's natural resources and public health.
The National Wildlife Federation commissioned 12 industry experts from around the country to review the mining permit application and compiled the findings, which were submitted to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources yesterday.
"The evidence is clear: This mine is risky and should not move forward," said Michelle Halley, attorney for the National Wildlife Federation. "Our experts have determined that the mine as proposed is dangerous. This kind of mine has proven deadly to rivers, streams and communities in other states, and Michigan should stand up for its citizens by denying this permit to mine. It's not worth the risk to our economy, health and way of life."
In the most comprehensive, authoritative and damning rebuttal to date, the experts found that Kennecott's mining permit application, ground water discharge application, air discharge application and State-land lease application contain flawed, incomplete, incorrect, unreliable or misleading analysis and conclusions and that the proposed mining activities violate state and federal laws.
"Across the disciplines," wrote NWF in its comments, "these experts determined that the [Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company] has underestimated the negative impacts of the proposed mine and overestimated its safety."
The reviewers explained how the mine could collapse; seriously damage water and air quality; and impact public health.
"Given this," NWF concludes in its written comments, "DEQ has no choice other than to deny these permit applications."
In its comments, the National Wildlife Federation and its partners--the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Huron Mountain Club--invoked analysis by experts in the fields of rock mechanics, structural geology, geochemistry, air quality and more to again urge the Department of Environmental Quality to deny the application.
Kennecott has applied for a series of permits that, if allowed, would blast a metallic sulfide mine in Marquette County beneath a Blue-Ribbon trout stream.
Among the major findings, industry experts say the likelihood of subsidence, or a mine collapse, is great-a risk that was not sufficiently addressed by Kennecott.
"[I]t is our opinion that the crown pillar in the proposed mine plan will be not stable," wrote Dr. Stanley J. Vitton, a civil engineer who previously worked for Shell Oil Company in its mining ventures group and is now a professor at Michigan Technological University. Neither would the proposed mine backfill plan be sufficient to maintain the crown pillar over time to protect the mine, the Salmon Trout River, and the surrounding wetlands."
Drawdown of wetlands and reduction in flow of the Salmon Trout River--likely to be far greater than revealed by the mining company--was another major finding. Geomatrix, a national environmental consulting firm, concluded in their report that impacts to wetlands and the Salmon Trout River in the area above the mine could be severe with up to 12-foot drawdown of wetlands and a significant reduction of water flow in the Salmon Trout River at certain times of the year.
Negative impacts on water quality standards were predicted, creating poor water quality that could potentially be long-lasting.
"Concentrations of sulfate, nickel, total dissolved solids, aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, and manganese would exceed relevant water quality standards in the underground mine and that levels of Acid Mine Drainage would likely be 'many orders of magnitude higher than predicted. This mine plan is untested and unproven.'" concluded Dr. Ann Maest, a geochemist with Stratus Consulting of Boulder, Colo.
Analysis of the application and related materials, including core sample photographs and case studies, has been underway for months and became even more vigorous once it was revealed that documents critical of the mining application had been suppressed by a staff member at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality this spring.
"The more extensively these experts analyzed the mine application and assumptions made by Kennecott, the more problems they discovered," said Halley. "The result is a lengthy list of inaccurate assumptions and skewed data that demands that the MDEQ deny this permit. These findings speak to the risk to human health, watersheds, air quality, wildlife, and so much more."
By law, MDEQ must now review and respond to public comment, both written and oral, before issuing a final decision on the permit applications.
The National Wildlife Federation was one of many organizations that participated in the public comment period. Experts familiar with issues before the MDEQ say the public outcry on the sulfide mining issue has far outstripped any other issue in recent memory. More than 1,000 people attended public hearings, and upwards of 10,000 citizens signed petitions opposing the mine.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 18, 2007 CONTACT:
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, 734-887-7109, lubetkin@nwf.org Angela Nebel, Summit Public Relations, 906-632-2923, summitpr@sbcglobal.net *** Please note my new phone number below--(734) 887-7109 . ***
Jordan Lubetkin
Regional Communications Manager National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Natural Resource Center 213 W. Liberty St., Suite 200 Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1398 www.nwf.org www.healthylakes.org Phone: (734) 887-7109
Cell: (734) 904-1589 Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
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