Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat News
The Newsletter of the Great Lakes
Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund
Volume 13, Number 1 • Connecting Communities 2005
Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat NewsThe Newsletter of the Great Lakes
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Widespread public concern over potentially destructive effects of hard-rock mining in Sulfide ore bodies such as those found near the Salmon Trout and Yellow Dog rivers west of Marquette, Michigan, (see map for location) have spawned a new Michigan law. The new law is the result of a cooperative effort initiated by the Granholm Administration between the mining industry and environmental groups who worked together with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Natural Resources to develop a comprehensive law.
Early in 2003 the National Wildlife Federation and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve organized The Eagle Alliance to focus attention on the Kennecott project. Early educational efforts by the Alliance highlighted deficiencies in Michigan’s ability to regulate mining in sulfide ore bodies. For more information on the Eagle Alliance visit: www.ydeaglescry.com
Ontario says no to environmental assessment designation for gravel mine.
Early in December 2004 the Ontario Ministry of Environment said no to a request to designate a proposed gravel mining operation here for under the province’s Environmental Assessment Act. The province’s action has the project’s opponents gearing up for a new phase.
The Ministry’s decision says existing laws—in particular the recently applied Aggregate Resources act—already address concerns. Concerned Citizens for Michipicoten Bay (CCMB)—a local residents group formed to raise awareness about potential threats posed by the gravel mining project has been outspoken about the inadequacies of the ARA.
CCMB lists concerns about what The Aggregate Resources Act will not do:
They also worry that permitting the gravel mine to go forward under ARA license implies a precedent in planning for future activities on the Lake Superior coast, a precedent they hope to question by challenging the Township’s plan amendment before to the Ontario Municipal Board. A 2001 Ontario Geological Survey study identifies more than a dozen similar bodies of rock in close proximity to deep-water harbors for transport.
CCMB’s Mark Leschishin says the Ministry’s failure to move for an EA is a real blow and that his group is going to be looking for lots of help, money and technical experts as they prepare their case for the Ontario Municipal Board. More information about Michipicoten Bay is online at: www.ccmb.ca
In June of 2004, the Ontario Ministry of Environment announced that the US-based Synfuel’s power plant proposal would be required to perform an Environmental Assessment under Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act. Synfuel's plans have grown to include three new power plants on or near Lake Superior; two near Thunder Bay, and one about an hour north in Red Rock. While the new gasification technology proposed is said to produce far less air pollution, the proposed fuel—a refinery by-product known as petroleum coke—has raised red flags with environmentalists. US facilities using this fuel are being watched closely by the US EPA. One site in Los Angeles is under an order for cleanup from leachate contamination and EPA is working on a nationwide rule for the fuel. For more information on the proposed plants on Lake Superior visit Concerned Citizens against Synfuel at: http://www.tbayaction.org/ccas/.
Lake Superior Advisor |