Group opposing sulfide mining to walk from Eagle Rock to Mackinac Bridge

Update from SavetheWildUP:

MARQUETTE -- Beginning Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, a lively group of dedicated and concerned citizens will WALK with a support team from Eagle Rock on the Yellow Dog Plains (northern Marquette County) to their final destination -- Governor Granholm's walk across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

View of Salmon Trout River where Kennecott Eagle Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, plans to put a sulfide mine for nickel and coppper. (Photo from SavetheWildUP)

The team will journey across the Upper Peninsula raising awareness about the potential harmful effects of metallic sulfide and uranium mining. The team believes that the prospect of several new mining operations in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan poses major risks to our health and to the Great Lakes precious groundwater and surface water habitat.

"Don’t be fooled. This is NOT just an isolated 'Yooper problem'; nor is it just a 'Michigan problem,'" says Margaret Comfort, head walker of the group. "IT IS A GREAT LAKES PROBLEM. I know how precious these lakes are … how they feed our souls and refresh our spirits. It would be a TRAVESTY to see them destroyed."

The recent increase in mineral exploration by several mining corporations throughout the western region of the Upper Peninsula, including Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company’s focus on the Yellow Dog Plains region of northern Marquette County, has raised concern from over 30 organizations. Opposition groups consider the development of this type of mining, in our water-rich and wild region of the Great Lakes, dangerous to our communities, natural resources, tourism-based economy and ultimately our future generations.

The walking team will be meeting with communities along the way to educate the public about the connection between watersheds and people of the Upper Peninsula and will be encouraging folks to join Governor Granholm for her Annual Walk across the Mackinac Bridge on September 1, 2008 (Labor Day).

To keep current on details of the walk or to make a donation visit these Web sites:
www.savethewildup.org, www.yellowdogwatershed.org and www.northwoodswild.org.

HELP NEEDED!!
Walkers are encouraged to join the group along the way. Business and individual supporters can donate money and/or food and other supplies. Visit SavethewildUP for details on how you can help. See the brochure for a map of the walk and other information.