Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve » kennecott

Toxins Found At Flambeau Mine

elimywhit — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:36:07 +0000

December 20^th, 2011

Presented By:

Julie Christiansen

Kennecott’s “Model” Mine Tests Find Significant Toxins

Flambeau Mining Co., a subsidiary of Kennecott Mineral Co., is showing high levels of toxic pollutants, 14 years after mining operations ceased. Flambeau was an open pit mine that operated from 1993-1997 and produced 181,000 tons of copper, 3.3 million ounces of silver and 334,000 ounces of gold. Kennecott has quoted Flambeau as a model of mineral removal with no evidence of environmental damage as well as “protecting the environment from adverse impact.” Officials from the DNR say they’ve been removing contaminated soil since 2003. The Water Resources Protection Council has filed a lawsuit in January 2011 to dispute Flambeau’s illegal dumping of toxic pollutants since 1998. The Wisconsin Mining Association has regarded the Flambeau mine as meeting the state standards of opening and closing under state law despite the non-existence of baseline water quality readings before mining even began.

Testing exposed 41% of 98 samples taken had two to four times more copper and zinc than standards allowed, set by the state to protect aquatic life. The DNR is deciding whether to classify the water as impaired, which would begin a process of cleaning up the stream, but in some cases would require property owners to pay for this procedure.

Philip Fauble, Mining Program Coordinator for the DNR stated “We weren’t aware of these elevated copper levels that were out there. Once they were detected, Flambeau took proactive steps to control this.” However, according to company documents, high copper levels were in fact discovered in 2003 on a rail spur during reconstruction of a roadway in the vicinity. Two feet of soil, about 7,400 tons were extracted. Flambeau’s reclamation plan includes removing about 1-acre pond area that has shown high levels of copper and zinc and has already spent about $20 million on reclaiming the property.

“It is important to note the elevated levels of toxicity, since this mine has been touted as an example that mining of this type can be done without degrading the environment,” says Emily Whittaker, Executive Director of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. Other communities in the Great Lakes basin are looking at this situation with much interest, since there has been a fervent increase in mineral exploration and extraction applications. “Our group would like to see how our state agencies react to this and if it would change their perspective on whether new projects will live up to everyone’s expectations.”

To read a full article on this subject: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/tests-find-toxins-at-flambeau-mine-133051073.html

Update of the Woodland Road

elimywhit — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:35:41 +0000

Kennecott Eagle Minerals announced Tuesday that their ambitions to build a 22 mile section of road from Eagle Project to Humboldt Mill will be abandoned. Kennecott met with federal officials including the Environmental Protection Agency to discuss the road’s potential impact to wetlands, waterways, and wildlife habitat.
When the idea of this road was first pitched to the public, several federal agencies responded with serious concerns. Many environmental groups and concerned citizens also did not agree that the road was the best option. The area proposed for the road is isolated and undeveloped. Development in that area would lead to habitat loss, fragmentation, and sedimentation of the waterways.
Now, Kennecott says that in order to stay on their timeline, the proposed Woodland Road project will have to be scrapped. Instead, they will begin to re-evaluate their original idea as stated in their mining permit, which is to use County Road 550/510. Local officials and residents have responded negatively, citing safety concerns for citizens as the most important issue.
YDWP is pleased that, at least for now, the wild area slated for development is not under pressure. However, Kennecott has changed its plan many times and could possibly do so in the future. Time will tell what the ultimate outcome will be, but for now, we will continue to monitor their on the ground activity and keep everyone posted of changes. For those that support the use of alternatives to the Woodland Road, write to media sources about your opinion, such as the editor of the Mining Journal or TV-6 website. Also let the EPA know that you support their decisions.

Map showing major roadways in Michigan

Mining Permit Amendment Request

elimywhit — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:52:12 +0000

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment received a request from Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company to amend their mining permit to reflect changes in their plan to supply power to their facilities. As stated in the original permit, the company planned to use diesel generations to power the operation. Since then, KEMC changed course, working with Alger Delta Electric Cooperative to run an underground cable through a previously unpowered area. The new line, which is in the process of being built, branches from County Road 550, up County Road 510, then up County Road AAA.
Groups such as the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve have expressed disappointment in the fact that a mining permit amendment was deemed unneccessary for running the underground cable before now, even though KEMC is paying for the cable and will be the only user. These activities were considered “outside” of the mining operation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. According to them, a permit amendment is required, however, to finishing running the underground cable from the AAA road to the compound, a distance of perhaps 200 feet or less.
A hearing will be held on December 7, 2010 at 7pm in the Westwood High School Auditorium in Ishpeming to determine whether the amendment will be granted.
To view the letter requesting the amendment, click here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/Power-Amendment-Letter-2010-11-15_338498_7.pdf
To view the MDNRE response, click here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/Public-_Meeting-2010-11-17_338793_7.pdf

Contractors laying cable on AAA road to power mine facility

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

Rio Tinto’s Idea of Community Relations

elimywhit — Thu, 27 May 2010 18:11:24 +0000

This morning I witnessed a scene that I hoped I never would. As most of you know, a group of citizens, both tribal and non, have been occupying the land known as Eagle Rock for over a month now. They have tents up, a cooking shelter, a sacred fire, and flags flying in the wind at the top of the rock. I traveled to the Rock around 8:30am this Thursday morning but was met by a police officer blockading a public road, County Road AAA, with his squad car. We parked and continued toward the Rock on foot. As we passed, I asked what right he had to block the public off. The officer informed me that the State Police gave him authority to block off a county road and state land. We continued pass the officer on foot and arrived at the encampment. Within five minutes, three officials that work for Kennecott showed up and issued everyone with letters. Matt Johnson, a former aid to Governor Granholm, began by stating that he was so happy to be “working” with this group. He continued with a statement about the land being a construction zone and their need to meet federal safety laws. They asked the group to leave and we all refused. Johnson said they would be forced to have police intervention. We sat back down around the sacred fire for awhile while the police were assembling just beyond Eagle Rock. Some of us put tobacco on the fire, some of us stoked the fire to keep it burning. About 15 state troopers appeared after awhile and informed us that they were just “doing there job”. I’ve heard that so many times it makes me sick. They asked who going to walk out and who wasn’t. Chris Chosa stepped up and stated they would have to remove him if they wanted him gone. Charlotte Loonsfoot watched from above as she was praying on top of Eagle Rock. Police told the group that no filming or cameras were allowed during the arrest. We refused and kept filming. Many members of the group stated that they had no right to be enforcing corporate law and we were enforcing citizen law. This all happened with Matt Johnson, Kennecott spokesman, hiding in the bushes on looking as police swarmed around the small group. Police radioed for Matt and other Kennecott officials to come forward but they did not. After strong words were exchanged, four of the group walked out voluntarily, many in tears. Chosa and Loonsfoot were cuffed and driven to jail as the rest sat on the roadside in the blueberry bushes, watching a company that was ready and poised to build a fence immediately after we were removed.

Now, here we are. Please look through the pictures and videos. This is not the time to give up. Keep checking back for more information as the situation unfolds. Keep everyone in your mind and help when you can. We will keep everyone up to speed.

Sacred Fire and Tobacco

Officer leading the arrest

Cop car blocking County Road AAA

Watch the video of arrested individual being taken away

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJLU08Rvns

Woodland Road permit withdrawn

elimywhit — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:32:58 +0000

The permit application for the Woodland Road project was withdrawn from review according to a letter sent to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment on May 7. The letter was sent from the Woodland Road, LLC which was planning to build a road connecting the Yellow Dog Plains to M-28 near Humboldt Township. The Woodland Road, LLC is comprised of Kennecott Minerals, John Jilbert Properties, A. Lindberg and Sons, and the Michigan Forest Products Council.

The group submitted the application earlier this year but was met with challenging opinions from local citizens, federal agencies, state biologists, and environmental groups like the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve. During public hearings regarding this permit application, many individuals spoke out about the potential negative consequences of building a 22 mile haul road through a remote and wild section forest land. Issues ranged from the impacts on wetlands to habitat destruction/fragmentation and more. The majority of the concerns from federal agencies included a lack of analysis regarding alternative routes and wetland mitigation. To address the concerns, the group withdrew their permit right as the 90 day decision period was closing.

As a group that has reviewed the application, submitted comments, and attended the public hearings, YDWP commends the U.S. EPA for taking a closer look and not simply rubber stamping this project. If such oversight was used during the permit review for the mining plan, we might be in an entirely different situation.

Below is the document that was sent to the MDNRE from Woodland Road, LLC.

Memo to MDNRE

Plain to See

elimywhit — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:38:09 +0000

Falls on the threatened Yellow Dog River by Zac Luhellier

In our ongoing effort to persuade the public and our elected officials that developing a mine in this watershed is not the best choice both environmentally and economically, we invite our members and the public to get involved now more than ever. As many of you know, a private citizen, Cynthia Pryor, was arrested Tuesday for “trespassing” on public land, Eagle Rock. Cynthia was sitting near a bulldozer that was unoccupied and shut off when Kennecott personnel came over to inform her that she was trespassing. The personnel left to call security and the police over her actions. She was taken into custody, pled not guilty, and was released yesterday due to a judge’s ruling. She will still face charges at her trial set for May 6, 2010.

Many people have expressed concern over her treatment and are in disbelief with the company over their withdrawal of a permit application so they could skirt around the federal government and begin to clear the surface. Some believe they do not have an executable permit since they never heard from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the issue. Some believe since the MDNRE concurred with the company, they do have their permits. The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve believes that whether or not they have a permit in hand, their actions have been reflective of how they would operate the mine, careless and hurried.

There is still opportunity to put this mine to rest. There any several actions you can take that will keep the water and land protected and for all to use. The good news is that we will never go away but Kennecott/Rio Tinto will. Here are some things you can do to try and improve the situation for those of us who will not trade off our morals and way of life for a paycheck.

1. Take just a few minutes each day to read through the Mining Journal and TV-6 website. Look for opportunity to voice your opinion. TV-6 frequently has a blog and/or poll that you can post on. It is not a waste of time, so speak up! This shows the internet community that it is not a one sided way of thinking. Writing letters to the editor of the Mining Journal always helps. We need more people to speak up.

2. Take a little trip out to the plains. Go with a friend, take pictures to share, and see for yourself what is going on. Be mindful that if you occupy the land that has traditionally been open to the public, you can be arrested! We advise that you stay on the road.

3. Write letters to the MDNRE and express your concern with how this project is proceeding and how the company is handling people in the community where the mine would be located. We can help you write letters if needed.

Rebecca Humphries
Department of Natural Resources
Mason Building, 6th floor
P.O. Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909

4. Donate to a legal defense fund that is set up for people like Cynthia. You can visit http://www.savethewildup.org/donate. You can also donate to groups like ours who continue to do all they can to help this community make a better choice for their future at http://www.yellowdogwatershed.org/blog/contribute-today/donation-station/

5. Attend rallies, events, and informational sessions to be part of the movement. Check back for event details and updates as things unfold.

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 Permit Hearing

elimywhit — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:01:30 +0000

The MDEQ gave preliminary approval to Kennecott for the reopening of a crushing facility in Humboldt township in Marquette County. Four separate permits were given draft approval and the MDEQ is now seeking comments from the public and stakeholders. A public hearing is scheduled for December 1, 2009 from 4pm to 10pm in Ishpeming, MI at Westwood High School, located at 300 Westwood Dr. Comments are sought on the 1) Air Use permit, 2) NPDES for discharge of treated water into the Escanaba River watershed, 3) Non-ferrous metallic mining permit to operate and reclaim the facility, and 4) deposition of tailings into a pit.

Each person will have five minutes to address the MDEQ with their concerns.
Below are links to the permit applications:
Air Use Permit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/5of4_295852_7.pdf
NPDES Permit: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/doc40f4_295708_7.pdf

Comments can also be submitted via email to DEQ-Kennecott-Humboldt-Mill-comments@michigan.gov or by mail to:
DEQ Kennecott Comments
Office of Geological Survey
P.O. Box 30256
Lansing, MI 48909-7756

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.