Residents oppose mining surface water discharge permit

ISHPEMING — Residents who oppose the re-issuance of a mining surface water discharge permit had the opportunity to voice their concerns tonight at a DEQ public forum in West Ishpeming.  Some residents spoke out in utter disapproval of the re–issuance of a permit to Eagle Mine’s Humboldt Mill on County Road 601 in Champion.

The permit will allow discharge of treated process waste-water, treated laboratory waste-water, and water treatment backwash through a pipeline to a wetland contiguous to the Middle Branch Escanaba River.

If you missed tonight’s meeting there is still time to voice your opinion over the discharge permit. Residents have until Friday, January 16 to contact the DEQ, via phone or email.

You can call (517) 284– 5597 or send an email to lama@michigan.gov.  Copies of the permit and other documents are available at www.deq.state.mi.us/owis, under “Permits on Public Notice.”