Mining Campaign
Ruling on trout boosts U.P. mining project
http://www.detnews.com/article/20090518/BIZ/905180409/Ruling-on-trout-boosts-U.P.-mining-project
Jim Lynch / The Detroit News

Federal officials dealt a setback to opponents of a proposed nickel mine in the Upper Peninsula Monday by declining to place a trout species that spawns in the area on the endangered species list. Conservation groups looking to block Kennecott Minerals Inc. from mining 160 acres of state land near Marquette had hoped the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would designate the Coaster Brook Trout for federal protection. That designation may have forced Kennecott to revise its permit applications seeking state approval for the project. But three years after the Sierra Club and Huron Mountain Club petitioned for the trout to receive endangered species status, the federal government announced Monday it would not do so.
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"We know Coaster Brook Trout in the Great Lakes face a number of challenges, as do many Great Lakes fisheries," said Tom Meilius, the U.S Fish and Wildlife's Midwest regional director, in a press release. "The Service is committed to its ongoing Coaster Brook Trout conservation and rehabilitation efforts." Sierra Club and Huron Mountain Club officials have said the Kennecott project -- called the Eagle Project -- could be the litmus test for Michigan laws passed in 2004 to regulate new mining efforts. If the Eagle Project goes through, they argue, similar mining efforts won't be far behind.
*jlynch@detnews.com (313) 222-2034*

Public Outings
None at this time.

Fundraisers
Great Lakes Walk, Paddle, and Roll- Join the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, SavetheWildUP.org, and Freshwater Future in a Great Lakes Walk, Paddle, and Roll Fundraising event, which kicks off with a 5 mile paddle around beautiful Lake Independence on Saturday, June 6. There will be three events throughout the whole summer, including an orienteering event will be held on Sunday, July 12 as well as a biking event in August. All funds raised will be used to support environmental outreach and educational activities and similar efforts around the Great Lakes region. There are two ways that you can participate, 1) Sponsor our team with a donation at www.firstgiving.com/yellowdog, or 2) Become a team member and collect pledges by creating your own donation page at the same website. Call 906-345-9223 for more info.

Celebrate the Dog- Our Annual Meeting on the minds is always a good time. At 2pm on June 20, we will hold our board meeting, with election of officers. At 6pm we will have a potluck. There will be music and firedancing also. Camping available! Celebrate the Dog will be at Mike and Mary's on Remington Road off of County Road 550. Watch for the signs. Call Wendy at 906-361-5179 for more info.

Other Events
Fred Rydholm Film- "Let Me Not Drown in these Waters" at the Peter White Public Library on May 30th from 2-4pm. There will be a film and tribute to Fred at this event.

Friends of the McCormick- There will be an informational meeting about a new group that will be helping the Forest Service manage the McCormick Wilderness Area. We will meet at the Huron Earth Deli at 6:30 pm on June 4th. Call to RSVP at 906-345-9223.