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ISHPEMING -- Tuesday night, residents and officials were able to voice their opinions about a controversial road proposal in Marquette county.

The Department of Environmental Quality hosted a public forum to move forward with the permit process for County Road 595. If approved, it would provide a more direct route for truck traffic coming from Rio Tinto's Kennecott Eagle Mine project near Big Bay.

The Marquette County Road Commission states the purpose of proposed County Road 595 is to provide a primary route to improve access to northwest Marquette County and reduce truck travel through Marquette County's population centers.

Several county and township officials echoed those goals at the public forum Tuesday. But others say the true objective of proposed road 595 is clear.

"The road simply doesn't need to be there. It seems fundamentally dishonest to say it's a public road when it's primarily a mining haul road," said William Malmsten, President of the UP Environmental Coalition.

The proposal would create a 21-mile road connecting US-41 with County Road AAA, a route that would cut 70 to 80 miles of travel distance from Rio Tinto's Kennecott Eagle Mine site near Big Bay to their mill in Humboldt Township.

The project would cost tax payers, but supporters say the road 'should have been created a long time ago,' and will improve emergency, commercial, industrial and recreational access.

Opponents also say the road will create environmental concerns, calling it a killing ground for wildlife. However, supporters say they're confident the road is the best decision.

"We have great faith in the county road commission's ability to be sensitive to environment and follow the road building practices of today's engineering," said Derocha.

The DEQ hosted the forum Tuesday to get input they say they will use when considering the application.

"Public opinion is important to the state," said DEQ District Supervisor of Water Resources, Steve Casey. "Whether the benefits exceed the detriments, people that live here have a good handle on what those are."

The public comment period remains open until March 2. The DEQ has until the middle of June to reach a decision.