Why I’m Fasting to Halt Construction of the Eagle Mine

Friends,

On July 9, I began a water-only, open ended fast to protest the construction of the Eagle Mine that is being built in the Yellow Dog Plains of Marquette County by Kennecott Eagle Minerals.  Kennecott is a subsidiary of the London based mining giant, Rio Tinto. 

I’m undertaking the fast as a part of the U.P. Grassroots Campaign to Defend our Water and Stop the Eagle Mine organized by WAVE  (Water Action Vital Earth) and SWUP (Save the Wild UP).

The campaign. is urgently required. It may be our last, best chance to stop the mine.  Kennecott has indicated that it may begin blasting the mine’s portal in mid-September. 

The goal of the campaign is to arouse, inspire, and mobilize our citizens to make a renewed effort to block the mine.  Its specific objective is to convince Governor Snyder to issue an executive order to halt work on the mine and call for a complete third party impact study on every aspect of the Eagle Mine project. 

The mine is a badly flawed project. It is poorly designed and may collapse.  The review of the Kennecott application by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality ignored the design deficiencies, suggesting that it was either incompetent or in collusion with Kennecott.  Furthermore, metallic sulfide mines are inherently risky.  There has never been one that hasn’t contaminated the surrounding water sources.

In March, Governor Snyder refused an earlier request by WAVE to halt construction on the mine and order an EIS.  In our letter we said:

Allowing the development of the Eagle mine to continue or to close the mine down is, quite simply, a question involving life and death choices.  Physicians and public health professionals have testified repeatedly that our health and the health of our children is being placed at great risk by the Eagle mine for generations to come. We think you would agree that we should not compromise the lives of our people for a short term economic gain.

I was morally outraged by his decision. The decision precipitated the Campaign 

I am fasting to support the goal of the campaign.  It is my way to say “NO” to the unknown and possibly devastating consequences of the mine and “YES” to protecting our water and assuring a sustainable future for our children. 

As a person of faith, I perceive the fast as a way of nonviolently placing myself between the Eagle Mine and our precious water resources and the people whose health and well being depend on them.  If the Governor will not take responsibility for these matters, then we-the-people must do so.    

Perhaps the Governor will listen and give some thought to his decision.  Perhaps his conscience will tell him that he should do the right thing and suspend work on the mine. 

And, hopefully, the people of Michigan will hear WAVE’s call to join the Campaign and condemn the mine, demanding that the Governor call for a halt in its construction.

I hope also that the campaign and my fast not only halt the Eagle Mine but serve as a catalyst for concerted action across the western UP to anticipate and resist strongly future mines that are planned for our region.  There has been and continues to be extensive exploration for new mines.  Recently Kennecott Minerals began exploratory drilling in the Ottawa National Forest.

One further thought.  I believe the mine is a symbol of the consequences of an alliance between the corporate sector of our economy, dominated by multi-national giants like Rio Tinto, and our state government that has effectively disenfranchised we-the-people and shredded the social contract.  We no longer have an effective voice in the most basic decisions that affect our health and well being.  How did this come about?. What is to be done about it?  How are we to regain a voice in these decisions at every level of government?  My conviction is that it can only be done by creating our own alliances, finding common ground, and working together to regain our voice.  I invite other thoughts about this.

I look forward to hearing from you.  Contact me at the email address above.  You can also find me Monday through Thursday at 4:30 PM in front of the main Marquette post office on the corner of Washington Ave. and  N.  Third St. 

In peace,

Scott Rutherford

Biodata
I’m a 77 year old resident of Hancock, Michigan.  I’m a graduate of Dartmouth College and served three years in the U.S. Navy.   After working for  A.I.D  for six years, I went to work for the Economic Development Administration from which I retired in 1986.  I am one of the founders of Omega House, a home for the terminally ill in Houghton.  I am married to the artist, Joyce Koskenmaki.  I have three children from a previous marriage and five grandchildren.  I am a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Houghton, Michigan..

Contact Information
Save the Wild UP
PO Box 562
Marquette MI 49855 
906.228.4444 
info@savethewildup.org
scottru33@yahoo.com 

Scott Rutherford and supporters

DEFEND OUR WATER and STOP THE EAGLE MINE: Save the Wild UP/WAVE Campaign Kickoff this Saturday, July 9, at 1:00 PM. Speakers, activities, and informational table will be at Marquette County Court House. The day will continue with a RALLY at the Mine Site Gate at 4:30 pm and Food and Social in Big Bay. Fireworks will be at 10:30 pm on Squaw Beach.

Ceremoninal Long Walk on the Yellow Dog Plains: On Sunday, July 17 at noon, there will be a commemoration of Eagle Rock as a sacred site – both to Tribal Nations and to the people who have long held Eagle Rock as a symbol of this effort to stop this mine on public lands.  We need people to gather and give one step, one half mile, two miles, four miles, or whatever they are able, to the effort to walk around this site three times. More details can be found by clicking on the document below.

Long_Walk_of_the_Drum,_7-15-11[1]

1. HR 2018- This federal bill is being called the Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act. While the term clean water is in the title and it sure sounds nice, this bill is being made to change who is granted authority of water quality standards under the Clean Water Act. Currently, federal water quality standards serve as a base for states to either meet or make more stringent. If HR 2018 is passed, the authority would be turned over to each state and they can individually create water quality standards. As many of us know, our state government fluctuates so much that water quality standards could actually get worse if the administration chooses to do so.

2. HR 872- This federal bill has passed the U.S House of Representatives but the bill has been placed on hold in the Senate after it cleared the Senate Agriculture Committee by a voice vote. The bill would exempt pesticide users from having to obtain a new Clean Water Act permit if they spray pesticides over navigable waters.

3. HB 4303- Thisstate bill limits the DEQ from imposing compensatory wetland mitigation in certain roadwork projects.  Wetland mitigation is a payment that offsets the environmental impact of projects on wetlands and helps to protect them for future generations. Under this bill, if the road in question already exists or the activity takes place within the road right-of-way, the DEQ would first need the consent of the entity with legal jurisdiction over the road to before it could require compensatory wetland mitigation.

Please take the time the contact your elected officials, both state and federal, about these issues. If you do not know who they are or how to contact them, visit this site: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

http://www.crowdrise.com/5000CharityThing

Thank you so much!!!!!!
Sincerely,
Yellow Dog people

Graphic Design
Often times, we are in need of someone with graphic design skills. It may not seem like an environmental group would really need it, but we use it everyday. Whether it is helping design our newsletter, to making posters for events, to improving our logo and signage, we could definitely use someone who wants to put their skills into action.

Office Assistant
While just as important as the rest of our work, some office tasks can be easily passed on to volunteers. Examples include entering information into our databases, assembling mailings, and filing paperwork. It all adds up to a protected environmental.

Media Relations
There are many things that could help our group get a better handle on media relations. If you are savvy with the media and want to volunteer, think about pitching in. Just to mention a few things: reviewing/filing media articles, sending out press releases, follow up communications with media.

Field Assistant
If you are more of the type to want to get out in the dirt, this is your niche. We always are looking for individuals who can survey the watershed, observe activities, lead hikes, and more. Must love variable weather, cold, and bugs!

If any of these sound fun and exciting, we would love to hear from you. The best way to get rolling is to email us at emily@yellowdogwatershed.org. From there, we can plug you in and enjoy being a part of the solution.