Michigan League of Conservation Voters releases 2014 Lame Duck Scorecard for legislators on conservation, environmental issues

ANN ARBOR -- Today, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (Michigan LCV) released their 2014 Lame Duck Scorecard. This special-edition Scorecard offers a non-partisan window into the voting records of Michigan’s State Representatives and State Senators on conservation and environmental issues during the busy last few weeks of the 2013 - 2014 legislative session.

"We saw serious attacks waged on Michigan’s land, air and water, including bills that promoted air pollution and denied the scientific management of public land, all in the span of a few weeks," said Lisa Wozniak, Michigan LCV executive director. "We also saw strong bipartisan support for clean energy legislation that promotes the reduction of energy waste. Lame Duck legislative sessions are often overlooked, but Michigan LCV members took action to stop bad bills and move good policy forward. Today, we are proud to release a complete description of all that took place in the waning days and hours of the legislative session, and hold elected officials accountable for their actions. Did they or did they not work to protect the natural resources that define our Great Lakes State?"

Upper Peninsula constituents should not be surprised at the following scores for our local state legislators:

State Senator Tom Casperson of Escanaba -- (R, 38th District, most of the U.P.) and chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes -- received a 2014 Lame Duck session score of 40 percent, up from his original 2013-2014 score of 0 percent, giving him an overall score of 20 percent for 2013-2014. That ties Casperson with House Committee on Natural Resources Chair Andrea LaFontaine (R, District 32), who also received an overall score of 20 percent. Both score in Michigan LCV's "No" category (scores of 0 to 49 percent) on their performance for land, air and water issues. Casperson sponsored three of the Lame Duck session anti-environment bills scored by Michigan LCV.*

State Rep. Scott Dianda of Calumet (D, 110th District) received a Lame Duck session score of 47 percent, down from his 2013-2014 score of 64 percent, giving him an overall new score of 56 percent for 2013-2014. That score puts him in Michigan LCV's "Maybe" category (scores of 50 percent to 74 percent) for his legislative performance on conservation and environmental issues.

Here are the scores of state representatives from the Marquette/ Menominee area:

State Rep. John Kivela of Marquette (D, 109th District):
Lame Duck score: 62 percent
Original 2013-14 score: 56 percent
Overall 2013-14 score: 59 percent ("Maybe")

State Rep. Ed McBroom of Vulcan (R, 108th District):
Lame Duck score: 10 percent
Original 2013-14 score: 51 percent
Overall 2013-14 score: 31 percent ("No")

Michigan LCV’s 2014 Lame Duck Legislative Scorecard scores votes on six bills, including committee votes and votes on the floor of the House and Senate. It also includes bill sponsorship for three bills introduced during the Lame Duck session that would have expanded and strengthened Michigan’s commitments to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Finally, for the first time the Scorecard also includes a count of a conservation majority in the state legislature.

Click here for a full summary of the 2014 Lame Duck Scorecard, including brief descriptions of the lame duck bills.

"The Lame Duck session clearly illustrates that our elected officials in Lansing are sorely lacking a core conservation commitment, which is counter to the assumption held by the majority of citizens in this state. Our Pure Michigan is a shared value among citizens from Detroit to Marquette. Those who represent us in Lansing must understand that their constituents expect strong leadership to protect both our world-class Great Lakes and the amazing outdoors that define our state," said Wozniak. "The legacy of the 2014 Lame Duck session will live on this year, and we look forward to working with Michiganders and state legislators to move Michigan forward."

Click here for the 2014 Lame Duck Legislative Scorecard. See p. 8 for the list of Lame Duck session bills and scroll through the following pages to see how your State Senator and Representative voted.

* See Senate Bills 78, 891, and 910 summarized here.

Backroom Boys Jazz Band to entertain TONIGHT at Michigan House Café Mardi Gras party

Mardi Gras poster courtesy The Backroom Boys.

CALUMET -- It's Mardi Gras, and the Michigan House Café at 6th and Oak in Calumet invites you to bring your beads and masks to the Mardi Gras party TONIGHT, Tuesday, Feb 17. The Backroom Boys Jazz Band will jam it up from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., and the Boys will probably insist on a "second line" parade around the place to finish off the Carnival season.

"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" says Backroom Boys' musician Oren Tikkanen.

Just to let you know -- Tim is making his chicken and andouille sausage gumbo for the Mardi Gras observance TONIGHT. If you want him to save you some, call 337-1910 tout de suite for a dinner reservation.

Green Film Series to present documentary on food and health Feb. 19

HOUGHTON -- The Green Film Series will present Forks Over Knives, a film  that examines the profound claim that many of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting our present menu of animal-based and processed foods. The film features leading experts on health, examines the question "why we don't know," and tackles the issue of diet and disease in new and engaging ways.

The film will be shown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, in G002 Hesterberg Hall, Forestry Building at Michigan Tech. Coffee, tea and delicious refreshments will be provided by the Keweenaw Food Co-op.

Ray Sharp from the Community Planning and Preparedness team at the Western U. P. Health Department will lead a discussion after the film. The event is free and open to the public, though donations are appreciated.

The Green Film Series is sponsored by Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative,  Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and Keweenaw Land Trust.

Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) to hold meeting Feb. 18

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) will hold a meeting at 5 p.m. this Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Michigan Tech's Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC). The major goal for the meeting is to update everyone on the search for the Energy Manager and to establish a hiring process. In addition, HEET will unveil their exciting Winterization Program!

The ATDC is located at 1402 Sharon Avenue in Houghton across the street from the Tech intramural softball fields. The meeting is free and open to the public.

HEET is looking for a part-time Energy Manager to coordinate its activities and help to implement the Houghton County Energy Plan. The Energy Manager position will be a part-time, two-year, paid position. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about HEET, visit http://energizehoughton.org/.

Heikinpäivä 2015: new slide show, videos ...

The Heikinpäivä 2015 Parade heads down Quincy Street in Hancock. Participants often wear traditional Finnish or Sami outfits such as these. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- Keweenaw Now offers our readers a new slide show -- Heikinpäivä 2015 -- with photos of the parade, wife-carrying competition, kicksled races, Tori markets, Polar Bear Dive and Community Arts Center art exhibits. Find the slide show near the top of our right hand column and click on any photo to access the slide show.*

Heikinpäivä is the annual Finnish-American mid-winter celebration in Hancock.

Videos of Heikinpäivä Jan. 31, 2015, highlights

Michigan Tech's Pep Band adds a lively atmosphere to the parade on Quincy Street in Hancock:

During the 2015 Heikinpäivä Parade, Michigan Tech's Pep Band is followed by representatives of local Finnish-American and community organizations, Finlandia University and characters from the Kalevala (Finnish epic). (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Riding atop "Big Louie," known in Hancock as "arguably the world's largest kicksled," is the Hankooki Heikki winner for 2015, Reuben Niemistö, who presides over the festivities. Each year someone who has contributed to the preservation and enhancement of Finnish-American cultural life in Michigan’s Copper Country is chosen as Hankooki Heikki. Niemistö, a longtime board member and past president of the Hanka Homestead near Askel, has devoted many of his nearly nine decades of life to sharing Finnish cultural traditions, especially those from the more distant past.

After the parade, the wife-carrying competition, a Finnish tradition, is held on the Quincy Green. This year a couple from Finland came in second place. Here they are in action:

Olli Malinen and his wife, Heli Lehtivuori, of Jyväskylä, Finland, participate in the 2015 Heikinpäivä Finnish-American mid-winter festival wife-carrying contest. Heli was giving visiting lectures at Michigan Tech the week of Heikinpäivä and attended the festival with her family.

Olli and Heli encourage their daughter Pihla to speak to the TV6 reporter after the wife-carrying contest. Their younger daughter, Lumi, was also interviewed (see slide show). Pihla also participated in the kicksled race (see below).

Kids take off for one of the kicksled races. Pihla is second from right in the lineup.

Here is a video clip of the runoff race among top kicksledders ...

The winners of previous races compete for prizes in the runoff Kicksled Race.

For more photos see our slide show.

* You can go directly to the slide show page by clicking here. Then click on "slide show" in the upper left corner.

County Road 595 a bad idea in wrong place

By Jessica Koski*

Proposed Marquette County Road 595 would irreversibly impact high quality wetlands at the headwaters of several watersheds and foreseeably lead to additional roads that would open up one of Michigan's last remaining wilderness areas to resource exploitation.

Wetlands are a foundation of our nation's water resources and are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth, rivaling that of tropical rainforests. Vital to the health of waterways, wetlands recharge groundwater, absorb floodwaters and filter pollution. They provide essential wildlife habitat, agricultural resources (berries, wild rice), timber production and economic activities. Michigan's economy depends on tourism dollars from hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation businesses enabled by wetlands.

Yet, wetlands are on the frontlines of development and their preservation is vastly underappreciated. Michigan has already lost more than half of its original 11 million acres of wetlands due to filling and draining.

From an Ojibwe standpoint, many culturally significant plants, foods and medicines occur in wetlands and within the County Road 595 project area. These resources are an essential part of Ojibwe lifeway; and tribal rights of access, collection and use are guaranteed through treaties signed with the United States.

This photo shows Wildcat Canyon in the potential CR 595 corridor. Looking straight down the canyon, one can see Eagle Rock in the middle of the photo, close to the top, below the bluish ridges on the horizon. The proposed 21-mile primary county road, running north-south between U.S. Highway 41 and County Road Triple A, was originally intended to connect the Eagle Mine with the Humboldt Mill. (File photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

Last month, the Marquette County Road Commission (MCRC) voted to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its "arbitrary and capricious" objection to County Road 595 over two years ago. In reality, the MCRC failed to submit an application consistent with federal Clean Water Act requirements.**

In EPA's objection letter, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) was given detailed requirements to address inadequate wetland minimization and compensation plans, and 30 days to satisfy the objection or deny the permit. MDEQ denied the permit, although the process could have transferred to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority.

Prior to a decision, EPA heard directly from the public in Marquette on August 28, 2012. Many citizens expressed concerns in opposition to County Road 595, contrary to many government officials.

Jessica Koski, author of this article, presents her comments on the proposed County Road 595 during the Aug. 28, 2012, public hearing held by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Marquette. (File photo © and courtesy Jeremiah Eagle Eye)

The lawsuit's price tag is $500,000 and road construction is estimated to cost $80 to $100 million, without additional maintenance costs. Eagle Mine says they won't fund the lawsuit or road. Taxpayers are promised they won't foot the bill. According to local officials, state Sen.Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, is a driving force behind the lawsuit and an assembly of secret private funders.

Casperson's road rage is currently attempting to amend Michigan's Constitution to rob the state's Natural Resources Trust Fund for timber and mining infrastructure. This is contrary to the opinion of Michigan's Attorney General and the original intent of the Fund since 1976 to support environmental preservation and enhance outdoor recreation benefits for the public.

Recent Eagle Mine trucking accidents are undeniably a public safety concern. However, even if MCRC is successful, it would be years before County Road 595 could be a reality. Are there alternative actions to more immediately protect the public from ore trucks? Yes.

In June 2013, the Marquette City Commission asked MDEQ to require Eagle Mine to amend its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regarding transportation. MDEQ denied the request, claiming the city is not within the mine's "affected area."

Marquette County could object to MDEQ's unwillingness to enforce the state mining rules. Part 632 states that an EIA shall define the affected area. Because the company significantly changed transportation from rail to truck after receiving a mining permit, the people of Marquette County were never rightfully provided an opportunity during the permitting process to weigh in on transportation impacts and the now inaccurate affected area.

Eagle Mine can also go beyond regulatory requirements and implement best practices. In fact, their original permit included hard cover trailer tops, but switched to soft cover tarps for easier loading and unloading. Is a convenience for Lundin Mining Corp. more important than public safety?

The company could also reconsider its original rail option. This would create jobs, alleviate stress on public road infrastructure and better protect public safety and the environment.

Rail probably could have saved much wasted investment and headache for the local community. Also, imagine if as much political support and energy exhausted into County Road 595 went toward a truck bypass around the city.

Ultimately, local officials are empowered with zoning and ordinance authority to establish more stringent conditions for how, when and where heavy ore trucks travel through the city.

(Inset photo of Jessica Koski courtesy Native American Political Leadership Program)

Editor's notes:

* Guest author Jessica Koski is a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC). She is an alumna of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and currently serves as Mining Technical Assistant for the KBIC. This article appeared in the Marquette Mining Journal on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015. It is reprinted here with the author's permission.

** See Keweenaw Now's Jan. 28, 2015, article, "Marquette County Board, residents, environmental groups oppose Road Commission vote to sue EPA over CR 595; lawsuit funding sources undisclosed."

DNR receives updated Graymont proposal for Eastern U.P. land transaction, limestone mining

By Michele Bourdieu, with information from Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources

LANSING -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received a revised land transaction application from Graymont, Inc., a limestone-mining company based in British Columbia. The company is proposing development of a limestone mining operation in northern Mackinac County near the town of Rexton in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. The land transaction application amends a January 2015 version of the proposal.

The revised land transaction application is unchanged in the total amount and location of public land under consideration (more than 10,000 acres of public surface lands or mineral rights).

A Jan. 15, 2015, article in the Detroit Free Press, noting six DNR division heads sent a Jan. 13 memo to DNR Director Keith Creagh opposing the transaction for several reasons, describes the mining operation as "a sprawling, 13,000-acre, open-pit and underground limestone mining operation touching three U.P. counties --  Luce, Mackinac and Chippewa."*

The Jan. 13 memo notes opposition to the land transaction from tribal governments, individual citizens and groups and at least one affected township, although it states general support of the project by local governments.**

Environmental groups oppose Graymont proposal

The Sierra Club Michigan Chapter applauded the DNR officials for their opposition to the January land transaction application, noting, "The proposed $2.9 million purchase, lease and options to buy 10,457 acres of public land by Graymont would constitute the largest sell-off of DNR lands in the state’s history."

Anne Woiwode, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter conservation director, said, "Michigan’s public lands like this are too valuable to sell off -- and to do so for a few million dollars in short-term benefits would be tantamount to theft."

Marvin Roberson, Sierra Club forest ecologist, said the DNR land that Graymont wants to buy and lease includes ecologically important parcels -- prime forest land -- in Luce and Mackinac counties.

Save the Wild U.P. (SWUP) has also expressed opposition to the proposed land transaction. In a Jan. 27 action alert email message, SWUP said Trout Lake Township resident and community advocate Kathy English is encouraging the public to attend meetings on the Graymont proposal.

"We need to let the DNR know that the majority of the citizens and taxpayers in the affected areas are vehemently opposed," English said.

Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP interim director, noted, "The Graymont proposal makes no sense, economically -- only a handful of mining jobs would be created -- and will sacrifice public lands for the benefit of a foreign mining company. Residents fear that any short-term economic gain is outweighed by the loss of existing long-term jobs in forestry and tourism industries. The Rexton area supports unique hydrology and biodiversity that must be protected -- including critical karst terrain featured in Michigan’s Natural Features Inventory, globally-rare alvar plant communities, and northern fens (wetlands) supporting the rare Hine's Emerald Dragonfly, considered 'one of North America's rarest dragonflies.'"***

SWUP sent 16 pages of comments to the DNR on Feb. 6, the same day Graymont submitted their newest revision. SWUP, based in Marquette, plans to review the new version and submit more comments. In their submitted comments so far, SWUP expresses serious concerns about the proposal -- both the land and mineral rights transactions -- and doubts about the proposal’s economic benefits given losses for tourism and forestry.

In the introduction to their Feb. 6 comments, SWUP states the following:

"It is outrageous that a comprehensive environmental review process did not require a detailed mining plan or a formal Environmental Impacts Assessment. Multiple revisions to the Graymont Proposal, moreover, create a confusing and ever-shifting focus for reviewers, with little meaningful emphasis on public input, and a striking lack of concern for tribal sovereignty, or federal land concerns which may legally prohibit limestone mining in this area. The unprecedented loss of public land would represent a loss for Michigan’s environment, Michigan’s taxpayers and the Eastern Upper Peninsula’s growing sustainable forest and tourism economies -- and especially Michigan’s environment. Graymont's Proposal threatens endangered species, fragile ecologies, with negative impacts to groundwater, drinking water, and hydrologies."****

Public comments on revised application being accepted

The new Graymont application proposes an increase in the offered royalty payment for the limestone to be mined. Under the revised application, Graymont would pay the state 30 cents for each ton of extracted limestone, up from an earlier offer of 18.75 cents per ton. Those royalties would be deposited into the State Parks Endowment Fund. In addition, Graymont is proposing to develop a regional economic development fund to provide grants for local units of government, schools and/or small businesses. The company has proposed to pay a timber consideration fee on Tract A, limit wetland impacts on Tract E, and has suggested possible routes for the relocation of recreation trails on Tract E. The entire revised proposal, along with maps of tracts under consideration, can be found at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

The transaction had been slated for a decision by DNR Director Creagh at the Feb. 12, 2015, Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting in Lansing. However, in order to allow the public and the DNR to thoroughly review this revised proposal, the director will now make a decision on the land transaction no earlier than the March 19, 2015, NRC meeting in Roscommon.

The company has a second proposal pending -- a mineral exchange application -- which remains unchanged from a Jan. 15 application. This proposal seeks to exchange more than 1,700 acres of state-owned minerals under the Hiawatha National Forest in Chippewa County for 1,700 acres of Graymont-owned minerals under state-owned lands in northern Mackinac County. The mineral exchange application will go before Creagh for a decision at the Feb. 12 NRC meeting. The mineral exchange proposal can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

There are multiple ways people can provide comments about these proposals. The public will have an opportunity to make comments at upcoming NRC meetings. The DNR continues to maintain an email address for the public to comment. Interested parties may send comments to DNRGraymontProposalComments@michigan.gov. Mailed comments can be sent to the Roscommon Customer Service Center, ATTN: Kerry Wieber, 8717 N. Roscommon Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.

Comments will be accepted until a final decision is made.*****

NOTES:

* Click here to read the Jan. 15, 2015, Detroit Free Press article, "DNR division heads: Reject massive U.P. land sale."

** Click here to read this Jan. 13 memo.

*** Click here to read about Great Lakes Alvar communities. Karst terrain is an area of limestone terrain characterized by sinks, ravines, and underground streams (according to dictionary.com).

**** Read Save the Wild U.P.'s Feb. 6 comments here.

***** The DNR presentation for the Jan. 28, 2015, public meeting in Newberry on Graymont's earlier proposal, including maps of the area, is available here. An updated Graymont Fact Sheet is available here. Visit the DNR Web page on the Graymont Land Transaction for more information. Click here for Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting minutes and agendas.

Barneløpet children's race is TODAY, Feb. 8, at Maasto Hiihto

Sons of Norway members announce the Barneløpet children's ski race during the Heikinpäivä Parade on Jan. 31, 2015, in Hancock. (Photo by Keweenaw Now).

HANCOCK --The Barneløpet ("Children’s Race" in Norwegian) -- a classic-style cross-country ski event sponsored jointly by the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC), City of Hancock, and the Sons of Norway’s Ulseth Lodge -- will be held at 2 p.m. TODAY, Sunday, Feb. 8 at Maasto Hiihto Trails. Registration is at 1 p.m.at the the Four Seasons Chalet at the trailhead in Hancock (County Fair Grounds).

Kids take off at the start of the 2014 Barneløpet. (File photo © and courtesy The Trail Mutt Reports)

Registration is open for ages 3 through 17 years old. The Barneløpet start is at the Hancock Four Seasons Chalet trailhead on the Maasto Hiihto cross-country trail system with groomed and marked courses of 1, 2, 4, and 6 km, each for children of differing ages/abilities. Start times: 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in age groups. Parents can ski with their children if they wish, to make it a family outing.

This is a noncompetitive event. Ski for time or take your time!

Youth skiers who complete their chosen course receive a large, colorful enameled Participation Medallion and can enjoy the hot chocolate and cookie treats provided at the Chalet for everyone after they finish. A suggested donation of $3 per child or $5 per family, to help defray the costs of the event, is welcome.

To download a registration form, click here.

First Friday in Calumet TONIGHT offers new exhibits, poetry, photography, more ...

Woodcut color reduction by Tom Rudd and Margo McCafferty. On exhibit at the Galerie Bohème in Calumet. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème)

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet will offer new art exhibits, poetry, a photography workshop and tasty treats in the galleries, cafés and studios.

Galerie Bohème: New and previous work by local artists

Galerie Boheme will be open from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on First Friday, Feb. 6, with new and previous works by Margo McCafferty, Georgi Tsenov, Cynthia Coté, Tom Rudd and others.

"Come to the first Friday events in Calumet and visit us at Galerie Bohème for a cuppa, a slice of cheese to go with the fresh bread and plenty of chatter from friendly faces," says host Tom Rudd.

Galerie Bohème is located at 423 Fifth St. in Calumet.

Café Rosetta: Poetry and Art

Café Rosetta is hosting a Poetry Reading at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, as well as a reception for Lena Wilson, a mixed-media watercolorist and sketch artist. With liberal use of color, the human form and natural and abstract elements, her artwork plays on the mysterious, but possible properties of cosmic energy.

Café Rosetta is at 104 Fifth St.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Colors of Winter

Pastel by Michelle Wegler. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

Visit the Paige Wiard Gallery to bring a little color into your winter days! For the month of February artists will be displaying their visions of winter color. From bright sunset colors reflecting off the snow to shades of grey from shadow, see how artists view the colors of winter. An opening reception will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, in the Gallery at 109 5th St.

For more information call 906-337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com. Stop in and add a little winter color to your day.

Hahn Hammered Copper: Found Object Art and more ...

Stop in at Hahn Hammered Copper to see what's new in Art Copper and Found Object Art. You are sure to find something for your taste and for your budget at Hahn Hammered Copper, 203 Fifth St. in Calumet!

Calumet Art Center: Studio art projects

Old Mission twiner Teri Gray-Keenan enjoys twining a rug while streaming movies. Teri is the daughter of ceramic artist Ed Gray, Calumet Art Center executive director. (Photo courtesy Calumet Art Center)

The Calumet Art Center welcomed the New Year with a busy schedule of workshops. During the February First Friday, visitors can see the ongoing projects.

Ed Gray has been helping adult students discover "The Spirit of Clay" in a vessel building class. The weaving class has created manycolorful rugs which will be on display. Explore the beautiful sewn gift bags crafted for students of the knitting class. Touring the studio spaces at the Calumet Art Center is a great way to find inspiration for a project.

For more information, call 906-934-2228 or check out the website at www.calumetartcenter.com. The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street.

Cross Country Sports: Jewelry by by Annele Sakari

For the month of February, Cross Country Sports will feature jewelry by Annele Sakari -- Hello Starling Designs. Annele creates fine silver and pure copper jewelry using precious metal clay, a medium consisting of very fine particles of precious metals mixed with an organic binder and water.  During kiln firing, the binder burns off leaving only the pure, sintered metal behind. Often drawing inspiration from the local geography and nature, her beautiful designs include images of Lake Superior, the Upper Peninsula, ferns and flowers.

Visit Cross Country Sports at 507 Oak Street for an open house from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. First Friday. Meet Annele and enjoy refreshments while viewing samples of her art.

Copper Country Associated Artists: Photography Workshop with Mark Upton

Mark Upton, local photographer and Copper Country Associated Artists member from Allouez, Mich., will present a "How To" on Photography on First Friday, Feb. 6. Here is the schedule:

6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. -- Camera basics, equipment and use
6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. -- Action photography -- Copper Dog
7 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. -- Long Exposure photography -- Northern Lights
7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. -- Open Questions and Answers

All ages are welcome to join this event. No reserved seating is required -- join the fun! Bring your camera along for any questions you might have.

For more info contact Pamela Hecht, CCAA First Friday program chair, at 337-2274. The Gallery, at 205 Fifth St., is closed during the winter months EXCEPT for 1st Friday Events.

Tau Kappa Epsilon captures first place in Winter Carnival snow statue competition

With their London snow sculpture, Houghton fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon won first place in the Fraternities Division and first place overall in the 2015 Winter Carnival competition with a vacation theme. The sculpture is facing Hwy. 41 next to Michigan Tech's Administration Building. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON -- Tau Kappa Epsilon's towering and intricate snow sculpture of London as a winter vacation getaway took first place in the Fraternities Division and first place overall in Michigan Tech 2015 Winter Carnival's month-long statue competition.

Judging was held this morning, Thursday; and the Blue Key National Honor Society -- which runs Winter Carnival -- announced the results Thursday afternoon.

Second place overall and in the fraternity division was a Hawaiian scene built by Phi Kappa Tau, a Hancock fraternity whose snow statues won first place for the past seven years.

Hancock fraternity Phi Kappa Tau, at 1209 Quincy St., took second place this year -- a break in their seven-year winning streak -- with this Hawaiian snow scene, including King Kamehameha, hula dancers, sea creatures and a Tiki Bar. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

While the Houghton winner met challenges of engineering to produce the tall structures of Big Ben and the London Eye giant ferris wheel, and added such London favorites as the double-decker bus and traditional taxi, Hancock's Phi Kappa Tau created very detailed ice and snow figures -- one of their specialties.

The Hancock second-place winner, Phi Kappa Tau, created a Hawaiian atmosphere with the surfer at left; icy sea creatures, foreground; the volcano Mauna Loa, center, sending smoke into the sky; hula dancers; a lifeguard; a daredevil fire thrower and more. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

How about a nice, cool drink at the Tiki Bar? (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Third place overall was Air Force ROTC, whose statue of Cape Canaveral in front of the ROTC Building also placed first in the Student Orgs Division. The Army ROTC's ocean statue placed second in that division and the Four Wheelers' Griswold family vacation, third.

Third place in the Fraternities Division was Sigma Tau Gamma, with a statue representing Egypt.

Theta Chi Epsilon placed first among women's groups with its statue depicting the Roman Coliseum, facing Hwy. 41 in front of the Opie and Van Pelt Library. Alpha Sigma Tau took second with a statue portraying Venice, Italy; and Delta Zeta's Taj Mahal statue came in third.

Summitt/WIE took first place among Residence Halls groups, with Raptor Hall placing second and Mama's Boys, third.

Statues built during the All-nighter Wednesday night were also judged, with St. Albert the Great, on MacInnes Drive, coming in first; TreeHouse, second; and FYE Wads, third.

Click here for the full results and more photos.

Michigan Tech's 2915 Winter Carnival continues through Saturday night, Feb. 7, with hockey games against Bemidji State Friday night and Saturday afternoon, snow volleyball, human dogsled races, a torchlight parade down Mont Ripley at 8:15 p.m. Saturday and fireworks following the torchlight parade.

Comedian Justin Willman to perform at Rozsa for Winter Carnival Feb. 6

Comedian Justin Willman will entertain during Winter Carnival at the Rozsa Center Friday, Feb. 6. (Photo courtesy Rozsa Center)

HOUGHTON -- The Rozsa Center, the Michigan Tech Student Entertainment Board, and the Memorial Union Board  welcome Comedian Justin Willman as the 2015 Winter Carnival Comedian, at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts at 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, 2015. Tickets are on sale now; all ages are welcome. To purchase tickets, call (906) 487-2073, go online at rozsa.mtu.edu or visit Ticketing Operations at Michigan Tech’s Student Development Complex (SDC). Tickets are $25, or Michigan Tech Students $10.

According to the IMDb mini-biography by Alex Murray, Justin Willman is an American magician, comedian, actor, and TV personality. The Guardian dubbed him as "some kind of variety Voltron with a comic flair that marks him out as the leader of the pack." He's a regular guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992), Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003), and Chelsea Lately (2007); and he hosts the hit shows, Cupcake Wars (2009) on the Food Network and Win, Lose or Draw (2014) on the Disney Channel. He also tours regularly with a magic/comedy live show that Time Out says, "has to be seen to be disbelieved." His greatest trick yet, however, was receiving a standing ovation from President Obama, following a private performance at the White House. How did he do it? Magnets.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Justin began entertaining at the age of 12. After breaking both of his arms trying to ride a bicycle while wearing rollerblades (a hopeless attempt to impress girls), he started learning card tricks as an alternative to physical therapy. Nicknamed "Justin Kredible" by his mother, he officially turned pro when his parents hired him to perform at his sister's fifth birthday party. (He still has not been paid for the gig.) Justin is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston and currently resides in Los Angeles. He does not own a rabbit.

Click here for more about Justin.

Please note the Rozsa Box Office is closed during regular business hours and will only open two hours prior to show times.

From Tech Today: Celebrate Winter Carnival at Michigan Tech this week

HOUGHTON -- It’s time to celebrate our snowy home: Winter Carnival is back with the snow statue competition judging on Thursday, Feb. 5.

The 2015 Winter Carnival theme is "While Frozen in the Ice and Snow, We Dream of Vacations on Which to Go."

The Winter Carnival tradition began in 1922. Organized by the Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival is Michigan Tech’s mid-winter celebration of the season in the Keweenaw. Festivities kicked off in January when the month-long statue-building competition got under way. Since then, speed skating, broomball, curling, ice bowling, ice fishing, snow volleyball and much more have gotten underway.

Carnival culminates in Wednesday night’s All-Nighter, Feb. 4, with one-night statue construction joining the month-long statue projects. Broomball, a smorgasbord of unique food treats, a snowy wall of speakers pounding out music, and much more will take place across campus well into the night.

The weekend brings a two-game series against Bemidji State in hockey, the Broomball Alumni Invitational and the Torchlight Parade with fireworks over Mont Ripley.

Click here for the complete schedule.

For additional information, visit the Winter Carnival website or contact Blue Key at 487-2818 or bluekey@mtu.edu.

(Winter Carnival logo courtesy mtu.edu.)

Parking during Winter Carnival and extended Shuttle Service

In order to accommodate the many visitors during Winter Carnival, the following lots will be available beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4 (Lot 11 opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6), free of charge, no permits required.

Lot 9 (commuter lot by the Rozsa Center)
Lot 5 (graduate student lot by the Rozsa)
Lot 27 (pay lot between the Administration Building and MUB)
Overnight parking -- You may park in Lot 9, the commuter lot by the Rozsa, without a permit.
Lot 11 (near the Administration Building) will be open at 4 p.m. on Friday.

Lastly, there will be free parking at all metered areas. Transportation Services will also extend its operations during Winter Carnival. The Michigan Tech shuttle service will run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The City of Houghton shuttle service will run its regularly scheduled service. Please remember that the Michigan Tech shuttle bus is not equipped to handle children but you may use the on-demand service that the City of Houghton provides.

For any questions or comments regarding Winter Carnival parking regulations or shuttle bus service, call Transportation Services at 487-1441 or Public Safety and Police Services at 487-2216.

Portage Library to host Master Gardener presentation, workshop TONIGHT, Feb.2

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library will host the Keweenaw Garden Club for an evening of mid-winter landscaping wisdom and planning presented by certified Landscape Designer and Master Gardener at Michigan Technological University Quincy Higgins Arney.

Higgins Arney will present "The Do’s and Don’ts of Landscape Design" from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. TONIGHT, Monday, Feb. 2. An optional workshop will begin at 8 p.m. and graph paper, pencils, and rulers will be provided.

Winter is a great time to plan and design gardens, yards, and outdoor spaces, and Higgins Arney will guide participants through the landscaping design process. She will share tips and tricks that can save time, money, and energy while creating a landscape that enhances a home’s aesthetics and usability. She will also show how to reduce the amount of maintenance it requires as well as how to make the landscape more environmentally friendly.

The Keweenaw Garden Club was established by and for gardening enthusiasts. They have presentations at the Portage Lake District Library on the first Monday of each month, September through May. To learn more about the club, visit https://sites.google.com/site/keweenawgardenclub/.

Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl,org.

Community Arts Center to host reception for Art from the Kalevala Jan. 31 during Heikinpäivä

Scene from the Kalevala by Robert Obaga. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center presents Art from the Kalevala, a group exhibition coinciding with the City of Hancock’s Heikinpäivä mid-winter celebration. The Kalevala is a 19th century work of poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. It is regarded as the national epic poem of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.

Bear. Kalevala art by Joyce Koskenmaki.

The reception will take place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Arts Center. Finnish style refreshments will be served.

Artists taking part in this year’s exhibition in the Kerredge Gallery are Kris Raisanen Schourek, Harriet King, Joyce Koskenmaki, Cynthia Coté, Bob Dawson, Robert Obaga, Phyllis Fredendall, Eric Munch, Bonnie Loukus and Hilka Karhumaa Brown. The works include paintings in gouache, acrylic, pastels and oil; fiber art; photography; drawing on handmade paper; and digital art.

Kalevala painting by Harriet King.

Exhibitions are supported by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.. For more information call 482-2333 or visit the website www.coppercountryarts.com.

Celebrate Mid-Winter at Heikinpäivä 2015 in Hancock

A highlight of the Heikinpäivä Mid-Winter Festival is the parade on Quincy Street in Hancock. This year's parade will begin at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 31. (Keweenaw Now file photos)

HANCOCK -- Heikinpäivä celebrates the midpoint of winter, when the hibernating bear rolls over; but he’s not the only creature revolving on that particular day. Finlandia University’s Quincy Green will be filled with folks who will have plenty of opportunity to take a "spin" through some Finnish-American fun.

Immediately following the parade, which gets under way at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 31, Quincy Green will be the site of some longtime festival favorites, as well as some new attractions.

Kids enjoy a ride on the vipukelkka (whipsled) during Heikinpäivä in Hancock.

In one part of the Green, a group of intrepid volunteers led by Hancock High School teacher Steve Aho will be manning the vipukelkka (whipsled), on which young people can have a human-powered ride in a sled around a snowy and icy track. With all of this circular motion, both the pushers and riders can enjoy the ride.

The first competition on the agenda is the annual wife-carrying contest, with a mid-winter spin on a longtime Finnish tradition. Couples navigate a short obstacle course, with the "husband" carrying the "wife" (participants need not be married) while completing a series of tradition-based tasks in preparation for having guests at their home. Whoever does this fastest will leave the course with some prizes in hand.

A bit of role reversal sometimes happens during the "wife" carrying contest. The "husband" seems to be enjoying the ride here.

Once the wives are all carried, the young people can spin around a race course on some youth-sized potkuri (kicksleds), with the fastest in each age bracket earning himself or herself a prize as well. Age brackets will be determined on-site dependent on number and age of participants.

Kids line up for the kicksled race on Quincy Green during Heikinpäivä games. 

Another ride option will be a sled-dog ride around the perimeter of the Green. A team from Otter River Kennels will be offering folks a sampling of what it’s like to be mushed along the trail in a true dogsled race. These rides will be starting from the area of the Green nearest the Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC).

After a whirlwind day of outdoor activities, Heikinpäivä-goers should also take a spin through the tori inside the FAHC and also inside the First United Methodist Church at the other end of Quincy Green.

Meghan Pachmayer, left, and Anna Leppänen offer Finnish snacks for sale at a previous Heikinpäivä Tori in the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Visitors can enjoy food, music and gifts to warm both inside and out, before venturing back onto the Green for more Heikinpäivä fun.

Carol Williams offers her lovely handmade jewelry for sale at the Tori. 

At 3 p.m. Saturday don't miss the Polar Bear Dive, near Porvoo Park, Hancock. $5 fee for competing divers; $1 all others.

The Polar Bear Dive on the Hancock Waterfront is only for the brave or (a little) crazy!

Heikinpäivä Dances: Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30, 31

A Finnish music jam session will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday evening, Jan. 30, at the Copper Island Beach Club on the Hancock Waterfront at the foot of Tezcuco Street. Come on down and sing, play, and dance hard enough to roll the bear over onto his other side. Let's make sure that winter's back is broken.

This year, the Heikinpäivä festival will not include a buffet dinner, but you can enjoy plenty of good food at the traditional Saturday Heikinpäivä Dance, beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Finnish American Heritage Center. Festival-goers can wrap up their 2015 experience by dancing to the musical stylings of Aallotar, a duo of Finnish-American fiddler Sara Pajunen and Finnish accordionist Teija Niku, who have traveled hundreds (or in Teija's case, thousands) of miles to share their talents with us. Admission is only $10 per person. Come and join the fun!

Marquette County Board, residents, environmental groups oppose Road Commission vote to sue EPA over CR 595; lawsuit funding sources undisclosed

By Michele Bourdieu

Members of the Marquette County Road Commission return from a closed session discussion of their proposed lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency during their Jan. 19, 2015, meeting in the Marquette Township Hall in Marquette. (Photos by Gene Champagne for Keweenaw Now)

MARQUETTE -- Two years ago the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refused to remove their objections to the proposed Marquette County Road 595 and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) did not issue a permit for it. If built as a haul road for the Eagle Mine, it would have impacted quality wetlands and streams according to the EPA. Since then Eagle Mine has spent about $50 million improving existing roads and bridges in Marquette County and uses an approved route to haul ore from the Eagle Mine to the mill in Humboldt.

After a closed-session discussion held during their Jan. 19, 2015, meeting, the Marquette County Road Commission (MCRC) voted on a resolution to sue the EPA for what the MCRC calls the federal agency's "arbitrary and capricious decision" in objecting to the permit for CR 595. The resolution states public funds will not be used for the lawsuit, but the Road Commission would not reveal the source of private funding for the lawsuit, estimated at $500,000. This refusal to disclose funding sources led to a 3-2 vote of the Marquette County Board of Commissioners objecting to the proposed lawsuit at their own meeting the following evening, Jan. 20.

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, at a Marquette County Township's Association meeting in Negaunee Township, representatives of about half of the 19 townships voted to support the Road Commission's resolution.

Environmental groups oppose CR 595, lawsuit

The Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve (YDWP) has expressed strong opposition to the potential construction of County Road 595 and the Road Commission's projected lawsuit.

"Our misguided local road commission’s agenda does not serve the needs of citizens, only corporations and agencies who profit from this excess development at whatever cost," YDWP states on their Web site in a Jan. 26, 2015, article. "The estimated cost to construct CR595 has risen to $100 million for infrastructure that will cross 21 miles of partially hydric and hydric soil types, wildlife corridors, isolated waterways, and wetland headwaters for several major watersheds in Marquette County."*

This wetland in the proposed CR 595 corridor is one of many sensitive areas that would be impacted if the road is built. (Keweenaw Now file photo © and courtesy Jessica Koski)

On July 8, 2014, Save the Wild U.P. posted photos of bulldozing and road construction along the previously defeated CR 595 route -- at the remote headwaters of the Mulligan Creek.

"Construction along this route included multiple instances of wetlands impacts, including unpermitted culvert installation and wetlands dredging and filling, with no evidence of a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit -- a permit required by law to alter or destroy wetlands during the permitting review of the CR 595 proposal," SWUP stated in the article.**

Today Alexandra Maxwell, SWUP interim director, confirmed that article is still accurate and construction continued after July 2014.

Trees, stumps, and dirt bulldozed illegally into wetlands of Mulligan Creek. (Photo  © Kathleen Heideman and courtesy Save the Wild U.P.)

"SWUP led a hike along snowmobile trail 5 through the Mulligan Plains in September and construction had continued," Maxwell said.

Public comments for, against lawsuit resolution

Before and after the closed session at the MCRC meeting, local residents spoke both in opposition and in support of the Road Commission's potential lawsuit.

Marquette County District 2 Commissioner and former Humboldt Township Supervisor Joe Derocha, who attended all three meetings, said he and his township had supported CR 595 in the past but now, as a County commissioner, he is not supportive of the Road Commission's proposed lawsuit against the EPA.

Joe Derocha, Marquette County commissioner and former Humboldt Township supervisor (standing), addresses the Marquette County Road Commission before their closed session during their Jan. 19 meeting. Derocha stated his objections to the proposed lawsuit against the EPA, partly because of potential negative effects it could have on the EPA's present review of Humboldt Mill as a potential Superfund site. He also expressed his view that this issue should be discussed at an open public forum. 

Derocha explained his position to Keweenaw Now.

"We (Humboldt Township, when he was supervisor) fully supported the 595 permit effort and, with broad local community support for the road, we failed to acquire a permit to build the 595. It would have created many jobs and a direct link to Humboldt Township," Derocha said. "The EPA ruled and the State (DEQ) did not issue the permit. That didn't make us happy, but we have to accept it."

Derocha said he believes this is a politically driven issue.

"I am not supportive of a lawsuit against the EPA, and I feel the Road Commission has not taken into consideration the unforeseen consequences that may occur that would directly affect Marquette County and its residents," Derocha noted. "Senator Casperson and staff have lobbied the Road Commission to make this happen. He's put together a private fund of undisclosed investors."

While CR 595 was intended to be a haul road for the Eagle Mine, Lundin Mining Co., the present owner, has not stated any support for the lawsuit or interest in funding it or the building of CR 595.

"We are neither for nor against the MCRC’s decision," said Dan Blondeau, Eagle Mine senior advisor, Communications and Media Relations. "For now, our operations are dependent upon current infrastructure and our role in keeping that infrastructure sound."

Blondeau also confirmed for Keweenaw Now that Eagle Mine, as stated recently in the Marquette Mining Journal, "would not contribute to funding the lawsuit nor toward building the road should the permits be issued."

Jon Saari, Save the Wild U.P. vice president and Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) treasurer, commented at the meeting that the lawsuit might not necessarily result in 595 being built. He said the road and the lawsuit are different issues and the MCRC should think about the deeper issue of the real motives for the lawsuit, where the money is coming from and why this lawsuit is of national interest.

Mary Ellen Krieg of Big Bay pointed out that what the EPA did was not unusual, since the permit application was insufficient, and the Road Commission, if they go ahead with the lawsuit, will probably have a hard time proving what the EPA did in Marquette County was not different from what they have done in other places. She also stated her objection to the MCRC spending the County's time and resources for this effort, even if they don't use public funds for the actual lawsuit.

This map, displayed at the Aug. 28, 2012, EPA public hearing on CR 595, shows the Marquette County Road Commission's proposed CR 595 (green route) and two alternative routes preferred by the EPA -- Mulligan Plains East/Sleepy Hollow (brown route) and Red Road/Sleepy Hollow (red route). (Keweenaw Now file photo)***

Joyce Iwinski of Big Bay asked the MCRC, "Who actually is funding this lawsuit?"

She did not receive an answer from the road commissioners.

Iwinski added she was appalled by the MCRC’s disregard for the environment and for her, since she relies on the EPA for environmental protection.

Mike Thibault of Ishpeming urged the MCRC to go forward with the lawsuit:

At the Jan. 19 meeting of the Marquette County Road Commission, Mike Thibault of Gwinn expresses his support for the Road Commission's intention to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for not removing their objections to the building of County Road 595 in 2013. (Videos by Gene Champagne for Keweenaw Now.)

Gene Champagne of Big Bay told the MCRC board it should consider itself lucky, along with the County Board, that it wasn’t prosecuted for filing a fraudulent permit. He noted they were opening themselves up to the possibility of taxpayer counter lawsuits.

"This issue is going to be a distraction from what your job is -- and that's maintaining our county roads, which are in very bad condition," Champagne said. "Transparency -- where's the money coming from?"

Champagne said he would like to see an alternative route but it needs to be done another way, not through this lawsuit.

"The mining company needs to file it under their permit -- and it still stands today, if it wasn't for Eagle Mine, we wouldn't be having this discussion here," Champagne noted.

The MCRC Board then went into a closed session "to consider written attorney-client communications exempt from disclosure under MCL 15.243 (1)(g) as allowed by MCL 15.268(h)" and emerged after a considerable amount of time with a resolution to sue the EPA. Here Dave Hall, MCRC Board chair, reads the resolution:

After a closed-session discussion during the Jan. 19, 2015, Marquette County Road Commission (MCRC) meeting, David Hall, MCRC chair, reads a resolution to sue the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for not removing their objections to the proposed County Road 595 in 2013, thus preventing permitting of the road, intended at that time to be a haul road for the Eagle Mine. See UPDATE below.

The Road Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution, and a second public comment period followed.

William Malmsten of Marquette Township and UPEC said he could see no need for this road, even if it were permitted, since mining operations would be half over by the time it could be built. He expressed concerns about the source of the funding and Sen. Casperson's political agenda in pushing for the lawsuit.

Carla Champagne and Joyce Iwinski, both of Big Bay, then expressed strong concerns about the MCRC's refusal to reveal the sources of private funding:

Following the reading of the Marquette County Road Commission's resolution to sue the EPA for objecting to the building of County Road 595, two residents of Big Bay -- Carla Champagne and Joyce Iwinski -- offer reasons for their opposition to the proposed lawsuit. 

Catherine Parker of Marquette reminded the MCRC Board that DEQ and DNR (Department of Natural Resources) staff had told them some areas on the 595 route were too sensitive for road building. On the other hand, Mike Nelson of Ishpeming told the MCRC to "go for it," and put people’s lives ahead of everything else, citing recent accidents involving Lundin’s ore trucks.

Catherine Parker of Marquette and Mike Nelson of Ishpeming, Mich., express opposing views on the Marquette County Road Commission's resolution to sue the EPA for their objections to permitting the proposed County Road 595 in 2013.

In an email to concerned citizens, Parker added, "Casperson is attempting to alter the Michigan constitution to allow interest and earnings from the Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used for infrastructure directly related to natural-resource-based industries, including timber harvesting and mining."****

Keweenaw Now was unable to reach MCRC Chair Dave Hall, but we received a written public statement from him in which he indicates the lawsuit is intended to allow building CR 595 "while ensuring that no County taxpayer dollars will be spent at any point in the legal process."

The statement says County Road 595 has wide support from many community groups. While Hall bases the MCRC's resolution for the lawsuit on this "broad and overwhelming support," he does not mention any funding for CR 595. The private funding, with no sources identified, appears to be only for the lawsuit.

"Based on the diverse and overwhelming expressions of community support we continue to receive, the Commission is optimistic that private funds will be sufficiently raised to cover all the expenses of any legal process, without costing taxpayers one dime. The vote to move forward with the legal process is contingent on the availability of these private funds," Hall writes. See UPDATE below.

Marquette County Board of Commissioners votes against MCRC lawsuit resolution

On Jan. 20, at their regular monthly meeting, the Marquette County Board of Commissioners considered the Road Commission resolution to sue the EPA as a late addition to their agenda.

County Commissioner Karen Alholm (6th District) told Keweenaw Now she added the lawsuit resolution to the County Board's agenda in order to clear up a misunderstanding about her position on the issue.

"The reason I brought it up at the County Board meeting is that I was told, and I verified, that the Road Commission was under the impression I was in favor of the lawsuit," Alholm said. "My position had been misstated to the Road Commission and I wanted to correct it."

Alholm noted she was generally in favor of CR 595 because she considered it shorter and safer, but she is aware of the wetland situation and opposes the lawsuit.

"I oppose the lawsuit because the funding sources for the lawsuit have not been divulged and that lack of divulgence is contrary to my belief in governmental transparency," Alholm said. "If there is a lawsuit, the court will decide the merits of the case."

At the County Board meeting, Commissioner Derocha spoke again about the need for transparency by the Road Commission concerning the undisclosed funding sources.

County Board Chair Gerald Corkin (District 4) told Keweenaw Now that Sen. Casperson and his aide, Marty Fittante, "have been drumming up support in Marquette County over the past year to sue the EPA over the 595 ruling."

Corkin said he also had supported CR 595 in the past when Rio Tinto (owner of the Eagle Mine at the time) was going to fund building the road.

"When it wasn't permitted they spent a good amount of that money to upgrade the existing roads in Marquette County," Corkin explained. "I don't support taking transportation funds to build a road for the mining company when U.S. 41, the busiest road in Marquette County, is rough and falling apart."

Commissioners Alholm, Derocha and Corkin voted "Aye" on a County Board motion not to support the lawsuit against the EPA because of the lack of divulgence of the funding sources to the public. Commissioners Bruce Heikkila (District 3) and Bill Nordeen (District 5), who supported the proposed lawsuit, voted "Nay." Commissioner Johnny DePetro (District 1) was absent and excused. The motion passed 3-2.

Corkin told Keweenaw Now, however, that the County Board motion doesn't override the MCRC's resolution to sue the EPA. The County Board appoints the Road Commission members, but the MCRC is independent.

"It's not very smart on their part," Corkin said of the MCRC resolution to sue the EPA.

Corkin added the County Board is planning to invite the MCRC to a meeting in order to ask them for full disclosure of who is funding this lawsuit. At present the date for the meeting has not been set, but it would possibly be during the week of Feb. 9, between the next two County Board meetings. It would be open to the public.

The next meeting of the Marquette Board of Commissioners will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, in Room 231 of the Henry A. Skewis Courthouse Annex, Marquette.

Marquette County Townships Association members support MCRC resolution

The Marquette County Townships Association (MCTA) met on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

According to Jackie Koski, MCTA secretary, the MCRC resolution to sue the EPA was not on the MCTA agenda but came up during public comment and a discussion among the township representatives who were present. About 20 people were present, representing 9 or 10 of the 19 Marquette County townships.

Koski said the MCRC resolution was approved in a vote by the township representatives, but without a roll call.

"I think it should have been a roll call vote," Koski told Keweenaw Now.

She has contacted the townships and requested that the resolution be put on the agenda for the next MCTA meeting, scheduled for Feb. 25, when they may have a roll call vote on it. Koski is also asking all the townships to discuss the resolution at their individual meetings.

State legislators show support for CR 595 in TV interview

On Dec. 26, 2014, Upper Michigan's Source (TV6) published an interview with local U.P. state legislators -- Sen. Tom Casperson (R), 38th District; Rep. John Kivela (D), 109th District; Rep. Scott Dianda (D), 110th District; and Ed Mc Broom (R), 108th District -- on the subject of CR 595. All four expressed their support for CR 595.*****

Notes:

* Click here to read the Jan. 26, 2015, article on the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve Web site.

** See the July 8, 2014, Save the Wild U.P. article with photos of road construction near Mulligan Creek.

*** For background on the CR 595 permit application, see our two articles on the Aug. 28, 2012, EPA Public Hearing on CR 595, including many public questions and comments on both sides of the issue: EPA Hearing on CR 595 permit: Part 1, Questions and EPA Hearing on CR 595: Part 2: Comments.

**** Click here to see Senate Bill No. 16, introduced by State Sen. Tom Casperson (R), 38th District, on Jan. 20, 2015.
Click here for Senate Joint Resolution C, also introduced by Sen. Casperson on Jan. 20, 2015.

***** See the Dec. 26, 2015, TV6 article and video, "State lawmakers discuss future of County Road 595."  Click here for the complete interview.

UPDATE: The Marquette County Road Commission's Jan. 19, 2015 resolution to sue the EPA and MCRC Board Chair Dave Hall's public statement are posted on their Web site. Click here for the text.

Portage Library to host health insurance assistance

HOUGHTON -- People who have questions about obtaining health insurance through the marketplace or through the Healthy MI Plan can stop by the Portage Lake District Library for free one-on-one assistance with a certified application counselor from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29.

Iola Brubaker, CAC, from the Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center will provide information about health insurance and answer questions about how the Affordable Care Act will impact this year's taxes. She will also explain how to apply for an exemption from the required fee for those who did not have health insurance in 2014.

No appointment is needed and everyone is welcome. Please call (906) 370-4075 for more information.

HEET accepting applications for paid, part-time Energy Manager position

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) is now accepting applications for the Energy Manager, who will lead the community's efforts in winning the $5 million Georgetown University Energy Prize. The Energy Manager will be a paid, part-time position.*

Applications will be reviewed beginning Feb. 15, and the position will remain open until filled. Feel free to apply and/or share this information with anyone you think would be interested.

To Apply: Please submit your 1) cover letter; 2) résumé or curriculum vitae; and 3) list of three references to admin@energizehoughton.org.

* To read the job description listing the responsibilities and desired skills go to http://energizehoughton.org/energy-manager-position/.

Editor's Note: If you missed our article on HEET's celebration of their semifinalist qualification for the Georgetown Energy Prize, click here.