EGLE stands for ENERGY, GREAT LAKES, and ENVIRONMENT— Copperwood is an offense against all three.

Hello team,

Before proceeding with our next Collective Action, a few fast bullet-points:

• Our petition has now passed 11,000 signatures!
• Please continue to spread and share the petition— remember, this Spring we will bring the document directly to the Governor's office in Lansing. Please stay tuned for details on this action... perhaps you would even like to join us in person?
• We've just released a new video called "A Moment of Silence," showing the species with designated special status which have been observed at the mine site and adjacent lakeshore. Remember, although we are fighting of course for the rights of humans to enjoy this stunning outdoor recreation area in peace and quiet, we also fight on behalf of so many others whose voices are lost in the roar of heavy machinery.
• In early March we will hold our second Virtual Townhall, where we will begin to detail our action in Lansing, and much more. Stay tuned for an exact date!
   

Now, onto our next COLLECTIVE ACTION!

Copperwood's permits have been issued by Michigan's regulatory agency, EGLE, which stands for Environment, Great Lakes & Energy. Let's review why Copperwood is an offense against all three of these components:

1.  ENVIRONMENT: First off, copper sulfide mines contaminate as a rule. Copperwood would operate in extreme proximity to both the North Country Trail and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which holds both the largest Wilderness Area in mainland Michigan and the largest mixed old-growth forest remaining in the Midwest. Influences like light pollution, sound pollution, air pollution, water pollution, subterranean blasting and industrial traffic will radiate well beyond private property lines to negatively impact sensitive ecological areas.
2. GREAT LAKES: Copperwood would be the closest sulfide mine to Lake Superior in history. Although the ways sulfide mines contaminate are many, one of our chief concerns is the construction of a 323-acre, 171-foot tall tailings disposal facility. For some perspective, 323-acres is over 244 football fields in area, and 171-feet is 20 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty from toes to torch tip. This would be a massive structure, without parallel in this undeveloped region, and its toxic contents would include at least 15 constituents of environmental concern, including sulfate, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium and zinc, all in unprecedented proximity to the largest and cleanest of the Great Lakes.
3. ENERGY: Copperwood would be an extremely energy-intensive operation, requiring tremendous quantities of fossil fuels, as well as a 25-mile power grid expansion, nonstop trucking, rock-grinding, conveyance systems, subterranean blasting, coal-fired train transport of ore for off-site processing and smelting, and more. Copperwood will also use far more water than all of the neighboring towns combined. The estimates of the mining industry's carbon footprint range from 8% to 26% of all global emissions. When it's all said and done, where is the proof that any of the technology resulting from the extraction of this copper (which is not even a critical mineral) will have led to the reduction of a single PPM of CO2? The idea that this will somehow be in done in the name of "green energy" is not just comical— it is an abomination of language.

So let's write to EGLE and tell them to actually represent all those words in their name.

Open up a new e-mail and add these addresses to the CC field:

HUMPHREYM@michigan.gov,
DRURYA@michigan.gov,
McConeR@michigan.gov,
ConklinK3@michigan.gov,
ConklinM1@michigan.gov,
ParrishN@michigan.gov

Then compose a message in your own words. Below is a sample for your consideration. The most important thing is to express your opposition, and to do it NOW.

Remember, EGLE consists of humans — if they feel the force of hundreds of letters of fierce opposition, it will affect them on an emotional level, and that may impact the ease with which they sign off on future permits for this atrocious project. These guys are smart, they are sincerely concerned with protecting the environment, and they are proud Michiganders, so they don't want to be the ones responsible for corrupting this incredible outdoor recreation area, and they certainly don't want to be responsible for a tailings dam rupture. We just need to remind them about a little thing called good judgment.

Please write as soon as you can!

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SAMPLE MESSAGE

Subject: Opposition to the Copperwood Mine

"To whom it may concern:

The Copperwood project is a gross offense against Michigan for too many reasons to count. Although it may be legal to permit this Mine, a more important question is: is it wise?

The mine site is not just in the middle of nowhere; it is right next door to the North Country Trail and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, ranked last year as the most beautiful state park in America. Many of the influences from Copperwood, like light pollution, noise pollution, subterranean blasting, and industrial traffic, will radiate beyond private property lines and risk negatively impacting not just the ecosystem, but also the experience of human visitors who come here specifically seeking to escape hectic city life.

If Copperwood needs a permit for wastewater discharge and for particulate matter discharge, then why isn't a permit required for ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING DISCHARGE at night, which will obliterate a clear view of the stars and the northern lights? Why isn't a permit required for NOISE DISCHARGE, which will interrupt both the calls of wildlife and the peace of hunters, fishers, foragers, hikers, and campers? Where is the permit which will limit the impact of SUBTERRANEAN BLASTING, the vibrations of which will be felt for miles in all directions?

Although we recognize you are doing your jobs the best you can, it is increasingly clear that the law is not currently sufficient to take into account all the disruptive influences of mining in this area.

Finally, we are greatly alarmed by the construction of a 323-acre tailings disposal facility, the closest in history to Lake Superior. Lake Superior is the largest, wildest, and cleanest of the Great Lakes, representing 10% of the world's surface freshwater. If you are truly responsible for protecting its integrity, then we urge you not to issue approval of the tailings facility engineering.

Again, sometimes the law is not enough. The Mount Polley Mine was operated and designed by experts at the top of the field in Canada, and it complied with strict environmental regulations— but the dam still burst. Do you really want to be the ones responsible if history repeats, this time in unprecedented proximity to Lake Superior?

For these reasons and more, Copperwood cannot be allowed to move forward— the health of the Lake and of the environment, and the right of humans to enjoy a moment of peace in Nature, depends entirely on your coming decisions. We know EGLE consists of intelligent, proud Michiganders who are sincerely concerned with protecting our natural resources, and we are certain you will reach a sound judgment on this matter.

Sincerely,
Concerned Citizen"