The Yellow Dog Plains, one of Michigan's last large natural areas, may be subject to acid (sulfide) mining.

Wild Area of Yellow Dog Plains

The Yellow Dog Plains area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of Michigan's last wild areas. Encompassing approximately 576,000 acres, it is free of human habitation and development. The area is located approximately 30 miles to the northwest of Marquette, Michigan.

Danger to Fish Species

The Salmon Trout River is also home to the coaster brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis, an important game fish. The current population is thought to be less than two hundred fish. Runoff from mining activities may endanger the vulnerable population.

Water Contamination

Pollution from the Kennecott mine, the Eagle Project, could potentially impact the water quality and flow of the Salmon Trout Rivers. Pollution could then spread to various waters, and even into Lake Superior. This is a huge concern, considering that 20% of the entire world's freshwater is located in the Great Lakes.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Defines Acid Mine Drainage

Acid mine drainage water is created when pyrite, an iron sulfide, is exposed to air and water. It then forms sulfuric acid and dissolved iron. This acid runoff then dissolves heavy metals such as copper, lead, mercury into ground or surface water. Certain bacteria may increase the rate by which acid mine drainage proceeds.

Kennecott Mining Industries Proposed Plan

On February 7, 2008, Kennecott received the final approvals needed in order to begin construction of the underground mine. What this entails:

• The land surface area use agreement covers a 120 acre area of state owned land.
• Aboveground facilities and equipment will be built to service the mining operations, along with the portal to service the mining operations.
• Additional regulatory oversight is built into the Kennecott's activities relating to removing the mining infrastructure and returning the land to pre-mining conditions.
• The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) had oversight of post mining activities.

This mine will serve as the only primary nickel mine in the United States. Kennecott states the mine will employ hundreds of area workers over the coming decade, and that the company has additional exploration activities underway that could extend mining in Michigan for many years.

Many local groups, including:

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve,

Save the Wild UP,

Huron Mountain Club,

Keweenaw Bay Indian Community,

- and others, have been joined in recent months by statewide environmental groups in advocating for a proposed denial. They believe this proposed decision is wrong for Michigan.

"The track record of both Kennecott and sulfide mining is filled with contamination and inaccurate predictions," said Michelle Halley, attorney for the National Wildlife Fund (NWF).

"Even the company has admitted that it will exceed Drinking Water standards." she added.

References:

http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/nps/mining/mines.htm#acid

http://www.greatlakeswiki.org/index.php/Yellow_Dog_Plains

http://www.kennecottminerals.com/