July 10, 2008

For decades before it closed in 1996 the Republic Mine, a deep open-pit operation on the Marquette Iron Range, produced iron ore that manufactured the steel used to make cars, bridges, buildings and more. That positive industrial growth had the unfortunate side effect of disrupting the region's fragile ecosystem. Now - through the pioneering efforts of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. - the area surrounding the former mine is bustling back to life with the sounds of nature as the company creates an extensive wetland habitat where none existed before.

Allan E. Koski, a senior environmental engineer for Cleveland-Cliffs Michigan Operations, will tell that wetlands success story in his presentation "From Rocks to Grass: CCI Mine Reclamation on the Marquette Range" at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee Township.

"For decades, mining companies cut roads, moved earth, extracted ore, filled wetlands and depleted hardwood forests with little thought for the consequences of their actions," said Tom Friggens, a regional manager for the Michigan Historical Center. "Only in the late 20th century did more progressive companies adopt policies of environmental stewardship in response to changing ethics and new laws."

Koski's presentation, the third in the museum's seven-part weekday program series, will discuss how CCI reclamation programs provide environmental benefits such as diversity of plant species, natural succession of native plants, creation of new wildlife habitat, and soil and water conservation.

Areas once used for the deposit of mine tailings - the extremely fine, sandy waste product of the iron ore concentrating process - are now planted with grasses and trees and attract deer, bear, fox and birds.

The Greenwood Reservoir, as well as the Republic Wetlands Preserve, both on the Marquette Range, are examples of successful environmental stewardship projects carried out by Cleveland-Cliffs.

Upcoming programs in the museum's weekday lecture series include:

• July 29 - "The Railroad That Never Ran" with Robert Dobson



• Aug. 5 - "Company Rule and Community Life: Industrial Fayette, 1867-1891" with Brenda J. Laakso, Michigan Historical Center



• Aug. 12 - "Labor and Conflict: Mining Strikes on the Marquette Range" with Marcus Robyns, Northern Michigan University



• Aug. 19 - "The Making of 'The U.P. Recalls the War'" with Sonya Chrisman, WNMU-TV 13

All programs begin at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are encouraged and proceeds will go to support museum education programs.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, a public, non-profit facility of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. It is located at 73 Forge Road, overlooking the site of the Carp River Forge, a pioneer industrial site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The recently expanded museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the summer program series or upcoming events, call (906) 475-7857 or visit online at www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL) is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, HAL includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).