1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed Copperwood Mine near Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This project poses an unprecedented threat to one of Michigan's most precious natural resources and must be stopped immediately. The Copperwood Mine would be the closest mine waste facility to Lake Superior in history. Over 30 million tons of mine waste would be stored on downward-sloping topography, creating an unacceptable risk of contamination to the world's largest freshwater lake by surface area. The potential for environmental disaster cannot be overstated. Highland Copper, the company behind this project, has zero on-paper mining experience. Their lack of expertise significantly increases the likelihood of mismanagement and environmental accidents. Furthermore, their plan to ship Michigan's copper to Canada, Europe, or Asia for processing demonstrates a clear lack of commitment to our local economy. The economic benefits touted by proponents are highly questionable. Research suggests that in 89% of cases, copper mining ends up being negative for jobs and incomes. With a projected lifespan of only 10.7 years, this mine offers short-term gains at the cost of long-term environmental and economic damage. The project also threatens the integrity of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, a crown jewel of Michigan's outdoor recreation. Plans to mine underneath the State Park could irreparably harm this unique ecosystem and popular tourist destination. Additionally, the required 25-mile power grid roll-out into a virgin area would fragment habitats and open the door to further industrial development in this pristine region. I urge you to take immediate action to stop the Copperwood Mine and any associated projects. Our responsibility to protect Lake Superior, the Porcupine Mountains, and the surrounding ecosystems for future generations far outweighs any short-term economic gains. Please use your position to oppose this mine, strengthen environmental protections, and preserve Michigan's natural heritage. The consequences of inaction are too severe to ignore. We must act now to prevent irreversible damage to our environment, economy, and way of life. I implore you to stand with your constituents and the millions who cherish Lake Superior by doing everything in your power to halt this dangerous and short-sighted project.