Earth’s on its way out when the industrialists have a revival and control the environment’s well-being again.
Oh, MDEQ, what were you thinking??
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality granted a subsidy of a foreign mining company, Kennecott, preliminary permission to mine for sulfide in one of Michigan’s most prized landscapes – the Yellow Dog Watershed in the U.P.
Located about 30 miles northwest of Marquette, Mich., the Yellow Dog Plains are home to immense wilderness and abundant streams, namely the Salmon Trout River, home to the unique Coaster Brook trout.
Just prior to MDEQ granting all-out approval for Kennecott, reports surfaced that MDEQ overlooked many serious environmental hazards posed by the mine. Since the mine would be built beneath the bedrock of the Salmon Trout River, should that rock leak, crack or break open, say goodbye to the river. On top of that, sulfide can be toxic when dissolved in water.
Yep, MDEQ pulled a real boner on that one.
It’s hard to say what Michigan gains from a foreign mining company moving into the remote copper country. So it may add a few jobs. Odds are it’s not bailing this economy out any time soon.
A grassroots movement is happening among Michiganders, and hopefully public sentiment can sway the governor in the other direction from MDEQ’s initial stance.
A public hearing is scheduled for this Wednesday in Lansing where hopefully I’ll get a true taste for public opinion and see who still has their head up their ass.
(Buy Greg Brown's critically acclaimed benefit show for Yellow Dog)
1 comment:
When will these short sighted politicians stop their incessant assault on the last few remaining acres of unspoiled beauty in this country. There are places too precious to trade for a few short term jobs.
"Don't let the bastards get you down"
BTW Greg Brown's YD CD is great.
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