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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula November 20, 2005   Updated November 21, 2005* Press Release © 2005 National Wildlife Federation. Reprinted with permission.

Workshops, DEQ meetings, public hearings to discuss sulfide mining rules 

MARQUETTE -- Rules workshops are being sponsored by National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and the Michigan Environmental Council in preparation for public hearings being held across Michigan (dates below) on non-ferrous metallic mineral mining. The public is invited to these workshops to learn more about the rules, how they need to be improved and what is good about them.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will be holding public informational meetings preceding the public hearings on the rules. 

In December of 2004, Part 632 of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act was signed into law to set permitting standards for sulfide mining. Prior to Part 632’s enactment there were no laws in Michigan that addressed the special environmental concerns with sulfide mining, such as acid mine drainage and financial assurance in case of environmental degradation. The rules for Part 632 governing non-ferrous metallic mineral mining can be viewed on the DEQ Web site.

In MARQUETTE, a Rules Workshop will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, in the Michigan Room of the University Center at Northern Michigan University (NMU).

On Wednesday Nov. 30, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will sponsor an informal public information meeting from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and a formal public hearing on the mining rules from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Huron and Erie Rooms of the NMU University Center.

The following is a schedule of rules workshops, informational meetings and public hearings in other Michigan cities: 

ESCANABA, Tuesday, Nov. 29:
Rules Workshop, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Room 952, 958 and 962, Joseph Heirman University Center, 
Bay De Noc Community College, 2001 North Lincoln Road

DEQ Public Informational Meeting, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Rooms 972A & B, Joseph Heirman University Center, 
Bay De Noc Community College, 2001 North Lincoln Road

DEQ Public Hearing, 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.  
Rooms 972A & B, Joseph Heirman University Center, 
Bay De Noc Community College, 
2001 North Lincoln Road

GRAND RAPIDS, Saturday, Dec. 3
Rules Workshop, 9 a.m. - noon 
Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hilburn NW (3 miles W of Leonard St. exit off US 131)

ANN ARBOR, Saturday, Dec. 3
Rules Workshop, 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
New Center, 1100 N. Main Street, Suite 102, Ann Arbor (1/2 mile S of Exit 3 on M-14)

LANSING, Wednesday, Dec. 7
DEQ Public Informational Meeting, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Lansing Center, Rooms 203 & 204, 333 E. Michigan Ave. 

DEQ PUBLIC HEARING, , 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7
Lansing Center, Rooms 203 & 204, 333 E. Michigan Ave. 
Bus transportation to this Dec. 7 public hearing in Lansing is available from Houghton, Baraga, Marquette, Munising, Escanaba, and St. Ignace. For details visit Save the Wild UP.org.

Written Comments: Anyone may submit comments in writing as well as at the hearings. (Comments must be received by December 19, 2005.) Send to: Office of Geological Survey, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, P.O. Box 30256, Lansing, MI 48909-7756. Phone: 517-241-1515 / FAX: 517-241-1595 / E-Mail: mauls@michigan.gov.

*Editor's Note: For information and updates on the proposed sulfide mining in the Upper Peninsula, visit NorthwoodsWild.org. See also the Web site of the Eagle Alliance.

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