November 15, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled three public hearings on proposed rules to implement Michigan’s new mining law. The hearings will be held on November 29 in Escanaba, November 30 in Marquette, and December 7 in Lansing.

The past few years have seen a dramatic increase in exploration for nonferrous metals (metals other than iron) in the western Upper Peninsula. In response to concerns over protection of the environment and public health, the DEQ established a multi-stakeholder work group in March 2004 which drafted language that was incorporated into a new law, Part 632 Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, enacted in December 2004.

Immediately after passage of the law, the DEQ began the process of promulgating rules to provide detailed instructions, criteria, and processes to implement the terms of Part 632. The rules provide details on permit requirements, environmental assessments, mining and reclamation plans, financial assurance, standards for construction, operation, and closure of nonferrous mines, set criteria for water monitoring, treatment and containment of ore and waste rock, and reporting.

No metallic sulfide mines are currently operating in Michigan, and these rules hearings are meant to receive comments on regulation of nonferrous mining in general, not on any specific proposed mining operation. If permit applications are submitted for new mines, the DEQ will hold additional public meetings and hearings to receive comments on those specific mining proposals.

The rules hearings will provide individuals and organizations an opportunity to present formal statements of their views, comments, and recommendations concerning the proposed rules. In addition, the DEQ will hold informational meetings on the rules in afternoon sessions before the hearings providing an opportunity for citizens to ask questions in an informal, one-on-one small group setting. The informational meetings will be held on the same days and locations as the formal hearings.

In Escanaba and Marquette, the information meetings will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and the public hearings from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The Escanaba sessions will be held on November 29, 2005, in the Joseph Heirman University Center, Rooms 972 A & B, Bay De Noc Community College, 2001 North Lincoln Road, Escanaba. The Marquette sessions will be held on November 30, at the University Center Building, Huron & Erie Rooms, Northern Michigan University, 1106 University Center. The Lansing sessions will be held on December 7 at the Lansing Center, Rooms 203 and 204, with the information meeting from 1:00 to 3:00, and the public hearing at 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Following the public hearings, the DEQ will evaluate all comments received and prepare a report. The DEQ may make additional changes to the draft rules in response to comments received, as appropriate. The final rule package must then be certified and forwarded to the Michigan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules of the Legislature.

The rules can be downloaded from the Internet at www.michigan.gov/orr. For additional information on the hearings, or to obtain a copy of the proposed rules, please contact Susan Maul of the DEQ, at (517) 241–1515.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised November 15, 2005 by Shirley Smith for Pat Watson