Published: March 19, 2018 |

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Federal regulators are saying not so fast to a proposed open-pit mine in the southern part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

The Environmental Protection Agency, in a recent letter to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, said it was objecting to the state’s wetlands permit for the Back Forty zinc, copper and gold mine proposed by Canadian-based Aquila Resources.

The EPA also cited shortfalls in how the mine project would impact Native American cultural resources.

The EPA “objects to the issuance of a permit for this project as proposed,” according to the letter sent to the state from Christopher Korleski, EPA Water Division director.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers also expressed concerns about the mine along the Menominee River and near the Wisconsin border, not far from the city of Marinette, Wis.

The 83-acre mine had been advancing through the state regulatory process fairly rapidly until now. The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin also recently filed a federal lawsuit to stop the mine, saying potential pollution could damage the tribe’s hunting, fishing and gathering heritage in the area.

In the letter, the EPA notes that the state had not fully addressed the tribe’s concerns.

“The applicant has not provided sufficient information to support the assertion that the proposed project would likely not impact potentially eligible resources. Historical and cultural resources should be addressed for the entire expanded project site,” the letter notes.

The letter also states the mine project doesn’t comply with federal Clean Water Act guidelines.

The state agency and Aquilla have 90 days to respond to the federal regulators. If the issue isn’t settled, the Corps of Engineers could assume responsibility for the wetland permit and issues, taking it away from the state.

“Aquila believes the issues are readily addressable,’‘ the company said in a statement posted under Investor News on its website. “The company is confident that it can work with the MDEQ within the prescribed timeframe to provide the additional information requested by the EPA.”

Environmental and sportsmen’s groups praised the EPA’s move and said they hope it might kill the project.

“We are working to protect water quality for our safe enjoyment of the Menominee waterway — and Lake Michigan,” said Jerry Pasdo, president of the Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance, in a statement. “We hope the entire wetland application gets turned down — flatly.”

Source: Duluth News Tribune

To stop by Aquila’s website, CLICK HERE

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