Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve » eagle project

MDNRE grants Kennecott permit amendment

elimywhit — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:31:24 +0000

A notice was posted on page 7 of the Mining Journal on August 15, 2010 that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment had received and reviewed amendments to a mining permit from Kennecott Eagle Minerals regarding Eagle Project. The company sent a letter listing the “modest” changes which include relocation of the Temporary Development Rock Storage Area (TDRSA) as well as the Waste Water Treatment Plant and Contact Water Basins. All structures will also increase in size. Actual dimensions and locations were not supplied to the public on the MDNRE website, which was stated in the article to be the resource for more information.

The agency determined that the amendments did not constitute a significant change to the existing approved permit. Therefore, no public hearing will be held. Not included in the amendment application were changes in mine plan regarding power generation and ore transport. This is surprising since both associated enterprises pose large environmental consequences. At this time, the public can access the letter of intent from Kennecott Eagle Minerals along with a site map. The information can be viewed at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-331_4111_18442-130551–,00.html

EPA rules permit not needed

elimywhit — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:19:41 +0000

Today we received disappointing news that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not agree that Kennecott Eagle Minerals needed a federal permit for discharge of wastewater into groundwater. YDWP disagrees, as the original design was changed slightly from underground piping to above ground piping by the company to get around the permit requirement. The potential effects remain the same and the company should be held to a higher standard.
“Very disappointing is all I can say,” says Emily Whittaker, Director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, “Regardless, our group will continue with our mission, mine or not, and that is to protect this river from harm.” According to environmental consultants hired by Kennecott, the groundwater flow located near the discharge indicates potential effects for the Salmon-Trout only. But a third party hydrogeological survey was never conducted and the flow model is based on only three field seasons of data. ” I truly believe the adjacent watershed’s aquifers, that of the Yellow Dog River, could be in jeopardy. But data is limited. We will continue to collect as much water quality information as possible to best safeguard our water,” says Whittaker.
Below is the correspondence between the U.S. EPA and Kennecott Eagle Minerals. Please read through the letter, as well as the comments from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community regarding the UIC permit located at the link below.

http://www.epa.gov/r5water/uic/kennecott/kennecott_correspondence.htm

EPA-_KEMC_UIC_Letter_070110

Kennecott seeks Groundwater Permit change

elimywhit — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:49:57 +0000

Kennecott filed an amendment letter to the MDNRE in February seeking modification of a Groundwater Discharge permit. Details indicate that they would bring the water to the surface and covering it all with 8″ of gravel, two layers of styrafoam board and a 40 ml liner, as opposed to an underground injection. There will be a public hearing scheduled for March 11th 7:00 at Westwood High School in Ishpeming for interested citizens to ask questions and get more details on the changes.

Here is the link to the actual proposal amendment: http://tiny.cc/vkoPN

Photo by Chauncey Moran

Humboldt Mill Application Decision

elimywhit — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:27:06 +0000

Humboldt Mill Environmental Permits Proposed for Approval
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) today announced its decision proposing permit approvals that would enable Kennecott to refurbish and then use the Humboldt Mill.
The MDEQ has proposed approvals for three permits required under state law for operating the Humboldt Mill. The MDEQ will hold a public hearing on the proposed permits on December 1, 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Westwood High School Auditorium, Ishpeming. View proposed decisions and all documents related to the Humboldt Mill project at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3311_4111_18442-205482–,00.html.

Public Meeting on Woodland Rd

elimywhit — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:30:41 +0000

Kennecott plans to build a road from the potential Eagle Mine on the Yellow Dog Plains to a potential processing facility in Humboldt Township. This road, known as the Woodland Road, would bisect a large swath of land that is yet undeveloped. The Marquette County Road Commision will be holding a meeting on September 28 at 6pm to discuss the plan. See official notice below. Please attend the hearing if possible.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Board of County Road Commissioners of Marquette County, Michigan will hold a public hearing on September 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. EST. The hearing will be held at the Ishpeming Township Hall .
The purpose of the public hearing is to discuss the Woodland Road Transportation Plan.
Minutes for the above meeting will be filed and available for public use at the Road Commission Office during normal operating hours.