The problem is that every one who is against the mine has never had anything to do with any mine. They find the websites and people who have been against mining to begin with. It will never matter what proof the mining company has, or what can or cant be called lies. Anyone can find anything about anything that they want to believe. I believe in our system, if all the mining companies in the country are crooks and dont care about the environment, then I guess the EPA, and DEQ are useless and dont know anything. Because thats what all these people are saying. I guess these people know more about the earth and the problems with mining than the people who have went to school and dedicated there lives to protecting the enviornment. The entire DEQ, EPA, and DNR must have been paid off. GET REAL!!!!! Who do you all think you are???
Its funny, everyone who is against it thinks that we, the pro mining, are not looking far enough into the future, they keep saying that Kennecott will only be here for 5-7 years. I and many others believe they are very closed minded. Every miner I worked with through the years is just as worried about the long term as anyone else. Except they are there, and they know what is going on. If these people studied anything in detail they would find that the UP is full of ore, and Kennecott is not going anywhere for the next 20 years or more, once they get in, its going to ignite a spark of labor, jobs, and income for the UP for many years to come. Not just for the 5-7 as people keep saying.
In many years when people look back on this, they are not going to see problems with lands. They might say " you remember the good days when the mines where going strong, and we and our kids had good lives". One of these peoples arguments is that they are going to use us and then leave. NAME ONE COMPANY OR BUISNESS THAT IS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY THAT IS NOT USING US IF THAT IS THE CASE!!!!!

Diane,
I'm sorry to break it to you but White Pine was a sulfide mine. They mined a chalcocite ore for about 40 years without causing AMD. They also have a fully revegetated tailings basin home to numerous deer and bald eagles. You can get a good view of it from the Escarpment trail in the Porkies. I'm not sure if it's the case for you, but I see many of the anti miners who seem to be confused using the term metallic sulfide mining method, who somehow think that the method by which an ore is mined makes a mine a sulfide mine. I can tell you doesn't. What the anti mine people claim to be sulfide mines can be open pit or any of the variety of underground mines. There's not a method for mining sulfide ores, just a method for mining with no preference given to the ore type. Now, the Lake Superior region has had many sulfide mines(White Pine, Ropes, Lac De Isles, the Marathon gold mines) and none of them have resulted in AMD.

There are many websites available for information gathering, but none of them are actually mine! However, had you looked for a study titled "Erosion and Sediment Control at the White Pine Mine" or another called "Revegetation of 9 square miles of copper tailings" you might understand why I stated that even the White Pine Mine, a mine that did NOT employ the use of metallic sulfide mining, can make a negative impact on the environment. But I'm not damning the White Pine Mine. It ran for 70 years or so and generations of Yoopers reaped the financial rewards, until it closed, leaving a boatload of people out of work, homes, schools, etc. But the fact remains, 25 years after it shut down, nothing was growing in the tailing ponds. With much research and persistence by those who care, a few species of plants are finally hanging around. (Incidentally, I'm not sure what you think I stole from "my" website. Maybe you could tell me where to find that quote.)

I wonder what makes you think I don't vote for people who "make the laws"? I have, I do and I will. I'm simply not the only voter out there. With so many of you willing to sell your soul to a big company with a good story, I tend to get a little nervous that my vote will matter. With that said, I do take issue with Kennecott. I'm not totally against mining, but I am totally against metallic sulfide mining. Maybe you can give me a big "na, na, na, na, na" by siting one metallic sulfide mine that did not pollute it's watershed. Metallic sulfide mining DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD TRACK RECORD. Kennecott intends to use metallic sulfide mining. Now do you see why I take issue with Kennecott? In case you need a better understanding, take a gander at the Flambeau Mine Site problems(in Wisconsin). Yes, Kennecott caused those problems, along with their disasters at Greens Creek, Alaska and Bingham Canyon, Utah. Kennecott DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD TRACK RECORD. Did you miss the part where Kennecott estimates the mine on the Yellow Dog Plains will operate for only about 5-7 years? Do you know where Kennecott's corporate headquarters is? Hint, hint, it's not in the United States! So where is all this wonderful big money going to go...our communities? Like I said before, Kennecott is tossing desperate people a few bucks for a few years and hoping you won't see the real price we'll ALL pay 5-7 years down the road! Apparently there are a few of you out there who will spit polish the corporate shoes that will, very soon, kick you in the butt.

I don't trust Kennecott, based on their very own record. There has never been a metallic sulfide mine that left the watershed in decent shape, not one! Not even in this 21st century! If you still don't understand why I take issue with Kennecotts proposed metallic sulfide mine, well, let me put it this way...I learned a long time ago, never to argue with an idiot because they'll drag you down and beat you with experience. (Yes, I borrowed that saying) I've said enough.

If you would read carefully, you would also find that Kennecott has always been and done things within all state and federal laws and rules. So if you are concerned with the track record of what Kennecott has done in the past or will do in the future, maybe you should make sure that you vote for people that make the laws and quit "squaking" about Kennecott in general. I am all for SAFE mining if it brings money and jobs into the area. The job of keeping the mining safe is up to the people you and I vote into office. So everyone is to blame for past mistakes, not just the mining companies who are made out to be MONSTERS who only care about the allmighty doller. And of course they would not be here if it was not for the chance at making money, what company would start anyplace if there was no chance of making money. Get real people, quit blaming everyone else, and take a little resposibility for what has happened to our world and our country in the past and make it better. Not by passing on the blame, but using our heads and the past to make better laws and smarter desision, not shutting down jobs and money!!!

I went to your website and all I could find was what they have already done to "revegatate the filthy barren tailing sites left by the White Pine mine" as the quote was stolen by you from the website. All I could find was that it has been revegitated for 10 years now. And that all of the tests that are being ran are coming back as safe, not sure what website you are finding on google, but I did as you said and cannot find what you are claiming.

A pig farmer was visited by a nice lady from the city. She wrinkled up her nose & commented, “Whew … these pigs sure stink; however can you stand it?” The farmer replied, “DOESN’T STINK … SMELLS LIKE MONEY TO ME”.
I love that picture. I would apply it to mining scars; which LOOK like money. In the new Alpha Museum, I saw pictures of mines in that area while they were running. Nowadays … you might have a hard time finding the sites.
On my recent blog post on Channel 6 T.V. website under “Sulfide Mining”, I received a fanciful, somewhat condescending reply. Analyzing that response … it was the typical starry-eyed post by an anti-mining protester. That reply completely ignored positive comments from experts and the points that I’ve been trying to make.
• This is mining in the 21st Century; our technology, and capability to monitor has vastly improved.
• Each community/local government should make a blue-print for mining so as to maximize the benefits to that community … i.e. … use local employees, buy from local suppliers, etc.
• LEARNING FROM THE PAST: we know each mine is not a forever project. That is an important consideration.
• LEARNING FROM THE PAST: in the U.P., traditionally the companies have contributed greatly to each community; we could make local laws to ensure that there are benefits.
• Demanding that ores be processed out of the area means we would lose jobs/benefits.

Every one of us uses so much metal/mineral in our everyday lives … where is this supposed to come from? ABRACADABRA? WISHING ON A STAR? Plastic substitutes only exasperate the oil shortage problem. The U.P. is blessed with a wide variety of metals/minerals … it makes no sense to pretend that this is not a blessing.

Lois, Lois, Lois of Crystal Falls,

Kennecott is a huge company. The only reason they are interested in the little 'ol UP is to make a great deal of money. I'm sure a few of our locals will benefit financially for awhile. I imagine it will be just long enough to secure huge mortgages on beautiful homes, which they will lose once Kennecott moves on (didn't Kennecott mention they would be done mining in about six years?) Kennecott is intending to profit big time and they are throwing the Yoopers a little bait (a few bucks for a few years) and hope enough of us will bite. The big money will end up in Kennecott pockets...that's just common sense. Do you truly believe Kennecott's heart and soul is being poured into making the UP a better place to live?

I've been reading a lot of articles related to sulfide mining and haven't found any evidence that this type of mining can be or ever has been done in a way that is relatively harmless. Please Google "sulfide mining" and check for yourself.

I realize all Yoopers are consumers and we all impact the environment in a negative way. However, some practices (like sulfide mining) have a much greater negative impact. 19th and 20th century mining was thought to be modern and safe back in the day and many "whiners" quit "squeeking and squawking" long enough to earn a living (or die). Citizens of the present generation are still cleaning up the negative impacts of copper mining on the Keweenaw and a whole bunch of time and tax payers money is being spent on trying to revegatate the filthy barren tailing sites left by the White Pine mine. You can Google "White Pine Mine" and read about it. I know we are in the 21st century, but history has pretty much shown that what we think is modern and safe now, is but an illusion.

Kennecott does NOT have a good track record when it comes to sulfide mining. Read. Become informed. The smell of money can be like a mind altering drug. It can make one disregard half of the information needed to form an intelligent opinion. It can also cause one to confuse intelligent informed decision making with "squeeking and squawking".

OKAY ... SO YOU PERCEIVE PROBLEMS ALONG WITH THE BENEFITS OF MINING IN THE U.P.
NOW ... grow up & quit whining. We have a wealth of minerals here; many of us had parents, grandparents, etc. who worked in the mines & remember when the U.P. was not a ghost town, as it is becoming.
THE SMART THING TO DO WOULD BE TO PUT OUR TIME, EFFORT, MONEY, TALENTS, & WHINING INTO SOME PLANNING.
Each area of local government should make proposals to make sure that we get the maximum benefit from 21st Century Mining.
How about making sure that as much as possible local labor is used, local suppliers and use local businesses?
The mining companies can be more profitable if the ores do not have to be shipped out of the area to be processed.
Yes, strict laws can be made to make sure that the mining projects eventually leave the scenery in acceptable condition when each mine is done.
ALL YOU SQUEAKERS & SQUAWKERS ... PUT YOUR EFFORTS INTO MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS OF MINING TO THE U.P.!

The problem with your statement about boom or bust. You see, White Pine did not have to shut down. I personally know many of the employees and do know what happened to the mine. It was shut down by right wing people who are so closed minded to anything that it would not matter if god himself came down and said he wanted the mine. White pine would still be in operation and would be for alot longer if they could have got the solution for the mining to White Pine and not had to use rail.
I understand that we all need to come to an agreement. I do not wish to see the UP harmed in any way, shape or form. I own hundreds of acres and do not wish for anything to happen to it for my childrens sake.
Boom or Bust is not the life I choose, but until someone comes up with a better idea. Show some hard evidence that the mining is going to pose danger to me and my family, and I will stand with you. Until then I have to agree with all the others and say that the mine should be let in.
Give us jobs, keep our children in the UP, give me some form of action other that just oposing the mine, and I will stand with the rest of you.

P.S. The man from Utah, I would like to hear some of your facts and issues you are suggesting with your comments. I lived in Riverton for over 2 years and spoke with thousands of life long residents outside of working at Kennecott and found less than 1 out of 100 that had any negative things to say about the Mine. I am assuming that you would be the 1.

Albert quotes- "Look at that area now that White Pine shut down. There are no children to go to schools, they are shutting all of the schools down and causing the school districts to bus children 60 to 80 miles. The teachers are loosing there jobs"

Gee Albert,,, before you start telling us how good Kennecott will be for the Upper Peninsula, please think about what you just wrote, a classic example of what will repeat itself after Kennecott turns the backwoods upside down, gets what it wants and leaves. One major difference is there won't be a whole lot of jobs for "locals"- haven't you been following Kennecott's actions in their hiring practices already while they've been poking around up here?? It certainly hasn't been LOCAL.

People of the Upper Peninsula

Get ready for your "good neighbor" Kennecott.

If it hasn't become apparent already of Kennecott's true interests by now (and it ain't the people of Marquette County), I urge every one of you to fight this sulfide mine tooth and nail even if the first shovel breaks ground. Organized protest in numbers can stop this project dead in it's tracks if it's not in the people's best interest and wellbeing.

Take it from a Utah resident, been there, done that, seen the colusion and corruption between the state and Kennecott, it ain't gonna be pretty for the Upper Peninsula.

Only when you see what Kennecott and the other mining companies leave you with will you be sorry and ashamed if you decide now to do nothing.

As far as I can tell the reason they are willing to start mining in the U.P. is because this is where the minerals are. I grew up in Ewen, while growing up we had the White Pine copper mine where most of the men worked for 40 or more miles around. We had it good, lots of children in town, food on the table and a good school to go to. Look at that area now that White Pine shut down. There are no children to go to schools, they are shutting all of the schools down and causing the school districts to bus children 60 to 80 miles. The teachers are loosing there jobs. As far as I can tell having the mine in place helped our area.
Now that the mine has been shut down for years I have yet to hear any complaints or issues with the environment because the mine was there for years.
I personally worked for Kennecott for 2 years in Salt Lake City, UT and can tell you all with honesty that they are the best and most environmentally friendly mining company that we could have hoped would want to invest in our area.
These people that want the area left alone and want these mining companies’s to go other places or tell miners to go other places are not very bright. They believe that they are protecting our future when in reality the are destroying the human element that makes the U.P. such at beautiful place to live. Hard working, honest and courteous people will not stay in the area if there is no work. Then all that is left is a baron land with lots of trees that is pretty to look at. These people should be the ones leaving to go to Alaska or some other wilderness. Do not endanger my family or my way of life because they THINK it may have consequences down the road. Show me more proof instead of a bunch of crap and I will show you more respect.
I say that if you people who do not wish for prosperity hear in the U.P. because it may or may not have issues down the road. Then you are the ones that need to leave. Everything we all do has consequences, driving your car, drinking your milk, heating your home, ETC. It is the balance of these consequences that matter. Do not destroy the place I call home and have for most of my life. There has always been mining in the U.P. and from where I sit and from my own experiences, the mining industry has always been good to us. I have seen little in long term consequences that would turn me against letting Kennecott into our beautiful area. In fact I am extremely happy that it is RIO Tinto that is here trying to mine and not some other company that has no environmental track record.

Here is a quote from my 7 year old daughter, when commenting on the cutting along CR 550 as we were driving to Marquette yesterday:

"The road doesn't even look like our road! It looks like we are downstate or something!"
***************************
I just spoke with Tom Harrell, manager for Alger Delta Electric. He stated that Kennecott is footing the bill for the Big Bay upgrade. However, Alger Delta would be doing the upgrade regardless of a mine or not. They have begun the process of clear cutting trees along CR 550, in which, Mark Felthauser, from the DEQ says there are no restrictions to cutting vegetation...even in a wetlands area! No permits are needed for this part of the project. What really bothers me is that they have NOT applied for a permit as of today, yet they are clear cutting all the trees along CR550! What if they are denied their permit to do the rest of the project?

Mark Felthauser also stated that Alger Delta, spceiffically Steven Pike from Gladstone, has applied for a "pre-application" which determines if a permit is needed at all. That pre-application was received by the DEQ May 1st. There was a meeting held in the field with Alger Delta and the DEQ on May 8th. This meeting determined that Yes, Alger Delta does need to apply for a permit before the project can begin. Steven Pike was sent a letter dated May 20th, stating the project did need a permit. The file # for this project is 08-52-0039-P and can be found on the DNR/DEQ's website.

Comments from Tom Harrell:
- He sent a letter discussing the project to 1000 Alger Delta Electric Co-op members (I wonder why there is not one word on their website regarding the Big Bay upgrade? - Tom stated, Good question, I do not know.)
- He said Kennecott is paying for the upgrade - mine or no mine.
- I asked him to halt the project. He can't just sit around and wait, they need to begin cutting (again, the DEQ said that cutting of vegetation requiers no permit).
- I had asked him if Kennecott was not here, would the upgrade be the same...he stated that they would probably install 45' - 50' poles instead of the 55' poles required for Kennecott. Also, they would only need 1 circut if no mine, instead of the 2 circuts they will put in for Kennecott.
- I asked him why folks have been denied to see the contract and he stated that he has only had 2 members request to see it, and he told them they could come into the office and view it. (I have been told by 2 folks that Alger Delta has denied them to see the contract, however, they would answer any questions regarding it).

- I asked him who signed the contract and Tom stated that he did and other Kennecott representatives. He did not tell me who else, even though I asked him several times. I did ask him if anyone from Powell Township had signed it and he said no.

Alger Delta hired Mark Mann a forester with PGMS (http://www.plantgrowthmanagementsystems.com) from Niles, Michigan. What I got from him is that Alger Delta will be removing the old power lines and then put in new, bigger power lines 45' from the center of the road. Next year, when some growth comes back, he will be hiring another guy, Dave Fischer (can't remember where he is from?) who will be doing some herbicide work...he did mention his "plant growth regulator" which is called "Short Stop" on his website which has the active ingredient Paclobutrazol with LD50. Mark said he was hoping to get the "true" forest to come back...I have asked several times if they were going to let the trees come back where the old power lines where, and am still unclear about what he said. He did mention a 50' buffer from the river with the herbicide, but who monitors that??? After looking on PGMS's website, I saw that they mention the Short Stop is not water soluble, however when I visited a few other data sites, I found that Paclobutrazol IS water soluble...???

Alger Delta will be running the new power lines right along the road, so this includes clear cutting along the Granite Loma portion of 550 (the existing power lines are back in the woods a ways along this stretch). Also, new power lines will be installed right along the new straight stretch of CR 550 (near Eagle's Nest road). I do not know if they will be cutting or spraying the existing power lines that run on Eagle's Nest Rd.

I think Alger Delta should HALT the clear cutting along CR 550 until they actually apply for (and receive) the permit from the DEQ!

Hey folks, we're already seeing the ways of Kennecott before they're even given the legal go ahead to put in the mine. Anyone take a drive up CR550 lately?
When you do, you will find that a once scenic drive to Big Bay has been changed to a clear cut drive to Big Bay to make way for Kennecott's power lines, you know, for the power lines, that's right, power lines, to the Yellow Dog Plains, that before permits were granted, was going to be powered by onsite generators.

CR 510 is next, one of the other once scenic drives in Marquette County, which at one time was quaint and scenic with the one road 510 bridge. Since then, land has been seized by imminent domain to make way for a two lane bridge that can handle heavy truck traffic for logging and development of the Plains.

An interesting pattern is developing here. I was once for Kennecott's championing of doing their mine with as little disturbance as possible, you know, what Kennecott calls a "small footprint- you won't even know the mine is there...?" But since the permits were granted, Kennecott has demonstrated a pattern of saying things will be done a certain way before the permits were granted, then completely opposite after permits-- for example-

Before permits:
Rock will be trucked on local existing roads to a processing site in Canada to minimize effects on locals-

After permits:
Kennecott will build a new road thru Yellow Dog Plains undisturbed wilderness to Humboldt, to process rock ONSITE- maybe even include a new overpass on Hwy 41/28 to get to Humboldt-

Before permits:
Kennecott will hire local, bringing much needed employment to the Upper Peninsula

After permits:
Kennecott contracts companies outside the UP to clearcut CR550 to put in new power lines to mine- which before permits- mine was to be powered by onsite generators to minimize Kennecott's footprint on the area-

oh, and no wetland permits have been granted to clear trees where the clear cutting is obviously happening in very wet areas. What is the toxic chemical to be sprayed in the area to prevent overgrowth near the power lines? How will this affect the wetlands where the clearcutting is happening?

The befores and afters will keep coming. You might as well kiss what we know as the backwoods UP goodbye.

How the State of Michigan can turn a blind eye to what's going on here is absolutely insane.

What is very clear us is- Instead of Kennecott listening to the people and waiting until the contested case is over, to respect the voice of the people of Marquette County, Kennecott has chosen to use their bullying tactics to shove this mine in before even being granted the go ahead.

Is this what Kennecott calls "transparency"?- good neighbor, good for the UP, Marquette County?

Looks like the same old Rio Tinto/Kennecott to me. Nothing has changed or is any different here.

Check this out Maybe it will help your thought process and sway you to help put a stop to this B.S. Mining Garbage http://www.hbsslaw.com/rio_tinto_lawsuit;jsessionid=aQ48VzJWSPp_

Hopefully this will open the eye's that are sincere in seeing this B.S. Mine go through !!!

not only on the basis of fatally flawed mine design, even with 21st century know how, but due to Rio/Kennecott scare tactics such as the assault/attempted murder on the plains, and intimidation tactics of locals on state land on the plains. Ethics of this company is becoming a bigger issue than Rio Tinto's dismal environmental record.

life in the U.P. is not about jobs or nun of us would be here we dont stay for the good money we make cause we don't make it, we stay for outher reasons like famly for a better way of life for a safer place for our kids because the woods are a part of us and we a part of them. it is our responsibility to preserve them for our childrens children and beyond what are we ging to do when it's gone
Shane Racine
gwinn mi

I can't say that I am really against the mine - just the location. We in the U.P. need good solid jobs. It's too bad they are going to be mining where there is a real chance of permanent damage to our way of life. Rio Tinto (translation) Stained River is planning on opening several more mines in the same area. Rio Tinto is paving the way for other mining companies to come open new mines too. What makes the U.P. special? Wide open public places. There are fewer of these special places every day, Ours are soon to be closed due to mining. It is a dirty shame that the DNR spent tax payer money to transplant moose, wolves and fish into this area - only to devastate those species and more by allowing "Stained River" to use public land for private profit.

UP Miner,UP
It's not that I'm agaisnt mining,just the trust of the company and the DEQ.My grand parents and 3 uncles worked in the mines.Amygaloid and Tamrack mines ring a bell?When they moved to the saginaw bay area in the 1920's ,they all died of cancer long before there time.They also had 2 daughters.One is 90 and still living,the other died in april of this year of old age.She was my Mother.Miners are hard workers, just make sure you have a future to give latter in life. My uncles were all born in Red Jacket,Houghton.Yes I know alittle about mining.My grandfather would say to look through the mist and see whats there.Good advice.

A tree hugger drives up to a mine sight to protest. He or She is driving their SUV made of steel,copper,nickle and many other metals that all were mined at some time. They came from their homes made of wood,copper,steel and well I think you get the point. When all you tree huggers start living in tents and living off the land I will see your point, until then your two faced. By the way, My camp is located next to the white pine copper mine tailings pond. The reason I bought property adjacent to the mine is because its the best wild life preserve in the western U.P..

Mike B,
There aren't mines in Palm Springs? I know of at least two huge aggregate pits in the area not to mention the largest open pit in California about an hour away. Coincidentally that is also owned by Rio Tinto's US Borax division. The reason there are no mines in downtown palm springs is that nothing was ever found there. If settlers had found the borax there the twon would have moved and there would be a giant open pit there instead. Do you really think that there are no mines in Palm Springs because people thee are so progressive? Get a clue, you can't build a mine where there isn't deposit.

All of you pro-miners ought to head out to Wyoming they are paying top dollar for people to work in the mines there. Pack you bags and get going to get those top dollar jobs . Then when you are rich you can come back and retire in a clean and sulfide mine free UP .

If they succeed in stopping the mine, thus my future. We potential workers need to file a class action suit. I'll be in touch.
Waiting to go to work, Esky

MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO CHANGE.THE DEQ DOES NOT DO ANYTHING BUT SPEND MONEY AND STUDY THE STUDIES.WE WON'T SEE A BETTER MICHIGAN UNDER THE PRESENT THINKING.YOU AND I DESERVE BETTER.YOU DON'T SEE MINING IN PLAM SPRINGS.ONLY WERE THERE AREA NEEDS JOBS DO YOU SEE THIS THINKING.BECAUSE WE CAVE INTO A DOGGIE TREATS.

Why is it that the mine opposition generalizes everyone in Marquette county or the entire UP as being against this mine? Is it because of the 10,000 signatures they got on a petition against it? How about the county commission? If so many people are against the mine they must be terrified come election time that they'll get booted out of office. You would think that they'd think twice before supporting the Humboldt mill what with the likes of Douglas out there.
Funny, I just got back from SLC and I'd hardly call Kennecott besieged. A couple of newspaper articles and some upset people, people who thought they were getting a deal buying a home next to a huge tailings basin. I don't know why you'd buy a home next to a tailings basin, you don't see huge developments 20 yards away from Tilden's. To then somehow link Jon Cherry to something that happened over 20 years ago is great though. He would have been maybe 3 or 4 years out of college at most. I'm sure he was integral to the planning process there as junior engineer.
All I really got from that rambling post is that mining is bad, profits are bad, oil and pharma companies are bad. I just wonder where we'd be without them.
I worked at White Pine(a big scary sulfide mine) It, like most businesses did close, but in the 40 years that it ran it provided a great living for thousands of workers and their families, allowing them to remain in the UP without having to barely scrape by working a tourism job. White Pine did not ruin the environment with acid mine drainage as some would have you believe Eagle will. This despite the fact that it was many times bigger than Eagle. Now if Kennecott can come in and start Eagle and then extend the life of their operations with more deposits and be here for 20 or 30 years I say that's great. It's a wonderful opportunity for people to remain in the UP.

This is the 21st century; we have so many improvements over the 1800's type of mining.
TELL ME ... IN ALL HONESTY ... can you justify the aesthetic murmerings, when the U.P. is in an economic emergency? We have ghost towns, school closings, budgetary crisis ... WE NEED THE INFUSION OF MINING INCOME!

Get out of the cave much??? I suppose you were down in the harbor last week to help clean up??? Naw, you were racing around in your fuel swilling car, using styrafome and wondering why the DEQ is trying to screw the UP. Get a grip. Michigan is second only to California in the RIDICULOUS environmental laws!!! If the DEQ said it is ok, then so be it. Worry about how the local SuperWalmart can support ALL of our families...worry about the gas prices, the food prices, oh, gee, any price these days. or better yet, google California environmental laws, and a place YOU can find a job there!

For those citizen taxpayers in Marquette County and beyond, let's hope that the downstate courts in Michigan can see the real problems in permitting RioTinto/Kennecott's multi-billion profit motives in possibly allowing them to proceed with their metallic sulfide mining for copper and nickel in (at least) Marquette and Baraga Counties in the Upper Peninsula!
Again, this is not only KEMC's (Kennecott Eagle Mining Corp.'s) interest in one mining site--but possibly another five sites now--with the real potential of damaging our air, watersheds and forestlands close to Lake Superior.
We, as "Yoopers" recognize this important and dangerous issue--those in Lansing, along with those well-paid KEMC lobbyists and also Jon Cherry (who, while in Magna, Utah, and recently employed there before showing up in Marquette County a few years ago, was their so-called, "Environmental and Government Affairs" guy at the now besieged Kennecott Copper in Magna, Utah-- which had deceived the local public for the last twenty years about their dangerous copper tailings dam that could have disastrously flooded home owners--many of whom has purchased their homes from Kennecott within the same downslope housing development! So much for truth and transparency in regard to Kennecott's operations and safety to those living in the the area....
(See the SLTribune.com, as both the Mining Journal and WLUC-TV6 didn't get around to covering this last month!)
Let's face it: We are presently involved, if we like or not, in again trying to find both honesty and transparency in regard to government, the media, and private corporations who tend to be "ruling the world"--often with our taxpayer money--either by deception, lies, offshore accounts, hedge funds, their own major profits; (think, the ongoing profits of oil corporations like Exxon/Mobil and Chevron, pharmacy companies, HMO's, etc.).
Now we have foreign mining corporations like RioTinto/Kennecott, ready to descend upon the UP, scoop up our valuable, strategic minerals, get their billions of dollars in profits within ten years, and leave us with a few temporary jobs, ended, and their possible environmental pollution for us to deal for years after their easy profits.
Does this make any sense? I doubt it..
Aren't we any wiser from our past experiences of the last 150 years? Isn't it time to reflect upon what we have learned from the past and fully realize what our region has to offer beyond the past exploitation of our resources? How about continuing and future natural, recreational use of our environment which will draw more people who recognize that the UP is one of the last few regional areas that are reasonably untouched by what has unfortunately happened elsewhere (like Wyoming, Utah, Montana) in the USA?! We are fortunate that such "material" development has not overwhelmed the U.P. If you want "strip malls and burger-flipping," there are such possiblilties elsewhere. What we need in the UP is more sustainable industries...just a matter of using the present "downtime" as a means to enterprising ideas. Example: CCI recognizes this with "Renewafuels"--there are other advantages, as presently, in the NorthEast and elsewhere south; wood pellets for heating. generating electrical energy, are at an all-time hign in demand, nationwide. If the UP could also start producing more wood pellets (from waste wood and other products), these would bring big profits nationwide. There are also UP "windfarm" electrical power generating possibilities.
Time for Michigan and its real inhabitants to begin to recognize these changes....