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Mine-or-Ours.Info
 Working together to Improve Mining's Legacy

"Give me 10 average men who can work together and we will accomplish more than 50 extraordinary men who cannot agree"

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Fish Kill Reclamation
Michigan Government DEQ 632 Rules


Local Government * State Government * National Government  * Multinational Government
Hal Fitch Guides work group in rule making process 


Linda Sandborn assists  Harold Fitch Director of Office of Geological Survey Department of Environmental Quality lead discussion of EIA and Hydrogeology as Chauncey Moran takes notes.
To: Members of the Part 632 Rules Work Group:
from: 
Harold R. Fitch
Director of Office of Geological Survey
Department of Environmental Quality
517-241-1548

In preparation for the upcoming Work Group meeting, we are providing the following internet links to mining and reclamation rules of a few selected states. 

Susan Maul, OGS Hearings Officer, DEQ and chair of Financial Assurance workgroup sums up and records the groups decision.

Minnesota Ferrous Metallic Mineral Mining Rules

Minnesota Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining Rules

Montana Hard Rock Mining Reclamation Act Rules 

Alaska Mining Rules

Arizona Mined Land Reclamation Statutes and Rules

Colorado Mining  Rules

 

Draft and Comment Comparison
A table to view draft versions of the rules alongside comments by work group members

632 rules work group
meeting Schedule
work group members
sub group members
Sub group 1 draft 2
Sub group 2 draft 2
Sub group 1 draft 3
Sub group 2 draft 3
Sub group 3 draft 2
Comments from work group members on rules language
Rule 203 Environmental Protection Plan
From Brad Garmon 
financial assurance by Todd Warner

Reference Material

The Statute
Public Act 449 of 2004 House Bill  6243

Metallic Mining
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's web page on Metallic Mining

Permits required for Mining in Michigan
A PDF file provided by Al Trippel CPG in Jan 2004 from (ERM) a Worldwide environmental, health and safety consulting service.

“CERCLA” is provided by Steve Hoffman.  It has background information on land disposal of mining wastes as it may relate to the federal Superfund program. 

“Costs” is provided by Steve Hoffman.  It addresses costs of reclamation and remediation at mining sites. 

“Acid Rock Drainage” and “Modern Metallic Mining” are provided by Al Trippel.  They are informational overviews of some of the main issues related to metallic sulfide mining.

Joe Maki, DEQ Upper Peninsula District Office chair of sub group 2 and Dr. Ted Bornhorst, Professor Michigan Tech. discuss issues pertaining to Mining, Reclamation, Environmental Protection Plan, Contingency & Monitoring .

“Site-specific rules criteria” is provided by Michelle Halley.  This is of primary interest to Subgroup 1, but I am forwarding it to all.  Michelle has provided language from other states on siting criteria.

Acid Mine Drainage Prediction
provided by Steve Hoffman.

Background for NEPA Reviewers
provided by Steve Hoffman.
 
 

Governor Granholm Signs Bill to regulate mining in Sulfide Ore 

Flanked by House Bill  6243s'  primary sponsor, State Representative Tom Casperson  along with UP State Senator Mike Prusi, Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm Poses for photos in a ceremonial Bill Signing of Public Act 449 of 2004. Granholm praised the cooperative effort of all the parties that brought about the legislation that would permit the development of the States natural resources, while creating jobs and protecting the environment. She especially praised the participation and contributions of local citizens. 
The process by which these diverse groups came together to form this document in a timely manner on such a contentious issue is a great milestone for the people of the State of Michigan
For more information on this law go to the Michigan Legislatures web site for HB6243.

Jeff Pecotte Lake Township representative contemplates how all of this may affect the citizens of his community.

The Minnesota Metallic Mining Workgroup documents  were assembled by that workgroup to clarify the 2 - 3.5 year MN mine permitting process.  They fairly concisely lay out the interrelationships and timeline for permitting a mine in MN.
The materials are provided by John Colman an include:
      A cover memo from the Metallic Mining Workgroup
      A table of studies that would be expected to be conducted by the 
applicant.
      A list of suggested interested parties that would get early notification by the applicant.
      A detailed timeline of permitting for a mine project in the form of a 3 page Gantt diagram.
      A less detailed timeline of permitting for a mine project in the form of a 1 page Gantt diagram.