From: Save The Wild UP
Alert: Volunteers Needed to Distribute Letters
The DEQ comment period for Kennecott's metallic
sulfide mine on the Yellow Dog Plains ends on October
17 and we need to generate letters to the DEQ,
Governor and other elected officials. The letters and
envelopes are already printed and are available at the
SWUP office and need to be distributed, signed with
name and address and mailed or brought to the SWUP
office for mailing. Distribution could be done at a
home, church or community gathering, at a business or
by canvasing your neighborhood. You can send this
email version to friends and family by copying the
letter below into your email or word document.
Permitting this mine is a first step for a sulfide
mining district thruout the region and only people
speaking out can stop it.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! Please let us know if you would
like to join our volunteer list by replying to this
email with your contact information. Thank you!
START LETTER
ENTER MAILING DATE
Director Chester
DEQ Kennecott Comments
Office of Geological Survey
P.O. Box 30256
Lansing, Michigan 48909-1156
Dear Director Chester,
I oppose the proposed Kennecott sulfide mine beneath
one of Lake Superior's key tributaries, the Salmon
Trout River. These are some of the reasons:
Water: Discharge of acid-polluted water by a risky
sulfide mine threatens two watersheds and the wildlife
living there, aquifers and groundwater for thousands
of people and Lake Superior, our country's largest
source of fresh water.
Air: Discharge of at least 20 tons of toxic dust each
year threatens surface water, forests, towns, cities
and the health of the people and wildlife in the area
and beyond.
.Land: The region of the proposed mine is a Michigan
treasure worthy of the protection required by Michigan
laws. Some of this land and most of the minerals are
owned by the people of Michigan.
.Recreation: This unspoiled area draws sports
enthusiasts, tourists and people to settle in our
area.
Noise: Mine operation and truck noise threatens the
health and safety of people and wildlife throughout
the area.
Infrastructure: Heavy loads, truck traffic and acid
fallout will destroy area roads, create a safety issue
and higher taxes for residents in Northern Marquette
County.
Economic: Declining property values and loss of
tourism dollars will not be offset by 75 or even 200
short-term jobs.
THE LAW: The new mining law and regulations require
the DEQ to reject any sulfide mining request unless
the applicant demonstrates that it will not "pollute,
impair or destroy" land, air, water, or groundwater.
No such metallic sulfide mine has been documented, yet
the Michigan DEQ has given preliminary approval to
this permit. The new Michigan law has no enforcement
provisions and Kennecott, on the EPA's list of worst
polluters, will be self-monitoring its own pollution.
The Michigan DEQ does not have staff or resources to
protect Lake Superior from the effects of metallic
sulfide mining. Please opposed this permit and protect
our country's greatest lake, watershed and land
belonging to the people of Michigan.
Sincerely, sign name and address
Letters also addressed to:
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
Representative Steven Lindberg
S 1488 House Office Building
PO Box 30014
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7514
Representative Michael Lahti
S 1489 House Office Building
PO Box 30014
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7514
Representative Tom Casperson
Michigan House of Representatives
PO Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
State Senator Mike Prusi
515 Farnum Building
PO Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Representative Bart Stupak
2352 Rayburn Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Upper Peninsula Office
1901 W. Ridge
Marquette, MI 49855
Senator Carl Levin
524 Ludington Street, Suite LL-103
Escanaba, MI 49829-3949
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