Federally endangered Kirtland's Warblers documented near the site of a controversial proposed sulfide mine in the Upper Peninsula should bring the permitting process to a halt while further environmental assessment is conducted, conservation and environmental groups said today.

One of the world's rarest birds, only about 1,400 Kirtland's Warblers exist worldwide. They nest almost exclusively in 10 Michigan counties during the summer. Their existence near the proposed mine in Marquette County was previously unknown.

"The confirmation of at least one endangered Kirtland's Warbler in the vicinity of the proposed mine site and transportation route raises a new set of concerns about the project and illustrates, again, that the Yellow Dog Plains is a unique habitat that must be protected," said Michelle Halley of the National Wildlife Federation.

In a letter to the state Department of Environmental Quality sent today, the Michigan Environmental Council, the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club asked that the mining permit process be stopped while further assessment is conducted.
The Kennecott Minerals Co. application does not address potential impacts to the Kirtland's Warbler and the unique habitat of young jackpine trees the birds require to maintain their foothold as a species.

"This is one of the rarest birds in the world, and we must be assured that any potential mining activity in the area will not interfere with the recovery of this species," sad Brad Garmon of the Michigan Environmental Council.

This illustrates that the requirement for only one year of data on wildlife is insufficient because either the birds were not there last year, or not reported for any one of many reasons. Michigan Environmental Council, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and other groups urged the DEQ to require two years worth of data when the rules were being written. "The birds weren't there last year, and this year they are. Clearly, one year of monitoring is insufficient." said Marvin Roberson of the Sierra Club.

Aside from potential damage to the warbler's habitat, the sulfide mine has potential to pollute nearby trout streams and groundwater with acid drainage from waste rock that will be created during the extraction process.

The environmental groups have asked the state to deny Kennecott's proposal because it is not sufficiently protective of the priceless natural assets in the region and does not meet the requirements of Michigan's laws.

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