MARQUETTE COUNTY -- Longtime opponents of the Kennecott Eagle Project are weighing in after the company announced on Tuesday that it was no longer planning on having its ore trucks use the proposed route of County Road 595.
Instead, Kennecott is now planning to use the existing routes along Triple A, County Roads 550/510, and Wright Street, and US-41.
Company officials say the proposed road has run into too many delays and opposition from some citizens.
"Kennecott's permitted transportation route has always been on existing roadways," said Kristi Mills of Save the Wild U.P. "Kennecott's plan is to truck tons of acid generating rock over our quaint county roads and through our suburban neighborhoods."
Michelle Halley, attorney, and Lake Superior Project Manager of National Wildlife Federation, expressed similar doubts about the new plan.
"Michigan's mining law requires that Kennecott assesses impacts from transporting ore alone the whole route, have a plan to repair any damage, and to have a contingency plan for handling accidents that could be catastrophic and deadly," said Halley.
Halley said the community should know the risks and protection measures that are involved before the plan to use this route advances.
Mills insisted it's the state's responsibility to revoke mining permits and terminate construction until the current problems are resolved.
Environmentalists, Native Americans, and other groups fought against the Eagle Mine for years, but ultimately the state granted permission for the construction of the mine, which is now underway.
Production at the mine is expected to begin in late 2013.
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