By AP
TRAVERSE CITY, MI –
Four groups are going to court in their battle to prevent construction of a nickel and copper mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The National Wildlife Federation and three other organizations filed a petition Monday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court. It asks for review of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment's decision in January to grant Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. a permit to build and operate the mine in Marquette County.
The petition says state officials did not enforce a legal requirement that Kennecott prove its operations would not harm the environment.
DNRE officials say Kennecott's application satisfied Michigan's mining law. The company says the mine will be built and operated safely and will boost the local economy.