Kennecott needs permit before construction can begin.
Read more: Local, Kennecott
MARQUETTE -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency heard questions and concerns in Marquette Wednesday about Kennecott's proposed nickel and copper mine. The EPA is holding the open house to bring people up to date on the permit process.
Rico Torreano has a camp just north of the Yellow Dog Plains. He told an EPA geologist his problems with a mine being his next door neighbor.
"I am very concerned about the mine because I drink the water that flows from the seeps beneath the treated water infiltration system,” said Torreano. “It's the water supply for my camp; my family uses it."
Before they can begin construction on their controversial mine, Kennecott needs a federal underground injection control permit. That looks at how the company will treat wastewater coming out of their mine.
"Our role is to oversee disposal operations of wastewater into the ground for the project on site," said EPA Geologist Ross Micham.
The EPA says any water that has the potential to come in contact with the ore has to be treated before it’s released into the ground to meet drinking water standards. The EPA also told residents that other federal concerns need to be addressed, including endangered species, tribal rights to the land, and the historic preservation of cultural landmarks, like Eagle Rock.
"In this area we're looking at treaty rights that have been delegated by the federal government to the tribes in public lands in Michigan in certain areas,” Micham said, “and since this is a treaty area, we have to look at certain issues that are brought up."
By the end of the year, the EPA is expected to either issue a draft permit or reject it. After it's released, they'll hold a public hearing to listen to comments about their decision. Then they'll issue a final decision.
That could take until June of next year, and Kennecott can't begin construction until they get that EPA permit.
