Next stop is the Michigan Court of Appeals
The legal battle over Kennecott's proposed nickel and copper mine in Marquette County isn't ending anytime soon.
The National Wildlife Federation and three other local groups filed notice Friday that they will take the case to the Michigan Court of Appeals.
A few days ago, a downstate judge refused to overturn the DNR's decision to lease state land to Kennecott for the proposed mine.
"The practical implication of the judge's decision is that we could not present evidence regarding the public trust doctrine," explained Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation. "We believe that having a hearing on the merits is the only fair way for this matter to proceed."
Halley estimates that the Appeals Court hearing won't take place for at least six months, and then a judgment might be rendered six months after that.
Environmentalists claim the mine could do serious damage to the pristine Yellow Dog Plains of northern Marquette County. Kennecott officials deny that and say they'll take every measure to safeguard the environment.
Regardless of the legal delays, Kennecott earlier this year announced it was "deferring" the building of the mine until market conditions improved.
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