MARQUETTE, MI-- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public meeting next month on the Eagle mine’s application for a new groundwater discharge permit.
The permit regulates the discharge of water from the mine’s water treatment plant to its treated water infiltration system and must be renewed every five years.
Spokesman Dan Blondeau says mine officials have collected additional groundwater data since the first permit was issued and permit parameters were adjusted to align with the natural conditions of the water reflected in the data. But he says that doesn’t change the quality of the mine’s treated water.
Environmental groups claim eagle’s discharged water exceeds the levels for several elements. They say baseline water quality is being degraded and the DEQ is failing to sufficiently monitor the discharge or enforce regulations.
The public hearing will likely take place in late March at a location yet to be determined.
