Save the Wild Up has announced that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has asked for a 30-day extension before making a decision on permits for Kennecott’s proposed sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula. A decision on the permits–which have been strongly opposed by environmental and citizens groups in the Upper Peninsula due to environmental concerns–was originally expected to be made by today. However, according to an article in The Mining Journal, the DEQ and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are still working to coordinate information. In addition, the DNR has apparently received “new information” regarding one of the five permits under consideration.
Kennecott filed its 8,000-page permit application in February of 2006, but decisions have been delayed due to problems with Kennecott’s permit, the withholding of information at the DEQ, and legal action. Despite these issues, preliminary approval was granted to Kennecott back in August pending public comment. During the public comment period, there was significant opposition to the mine and several groups submitted highly detailed technical objections to the permit.
Save the Wild UP is calling for letters opposing the mine to be sent to the state government during the review period.
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