MARQUETTE - Four people were removed and two more were arrested at Eagle Rock in northern Marquette County today where they had been camping out in protest of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals project.
According to the Michigan State Police, the protesters had previously been asked to leave by Kennecott officials, who cited safety reasons.
State Police and Marquette County Sheriff's Department personnel were called in this morning to remove people camping at the site. Kennecott officials warned protesters to leave by today. Two people who refused to leave were arrested without incident on charges of trespassing and lodged at the Marquette County Jail, police said.
Police said one person was sitting on top of the 60-foot-high outcrop. She remained there past a 9:30 a.m. deadline and was arrested, State Police Sgt. J.M. Bruno said. One other person also was arrested, said Sgt. David DeRocher of the Marquette County sheriff's office.
By noon, the site was empty but for company officials and a few police officers. There were a number of tents still up.
In a written statement, Kennecott officials said the protesters had to leave the construction site for safety reasons.
"Safety is Kennecott's utmost priority," said John Cherry, Kennecott Eagle MInerals Company General Manager. "Our goal is to maintain an accident-free environment and we are committed to conforming to all safety laws established by authorities and required permit conditions. Now that construction is progressing, and is occurring near and into the current camp area, it is critically important that everyone, including protesters at the site, take the safety of themselves and others seriously. Our request today is for their own safety, and for workers at the site."
Kennecott said they will offer the group an alternate camp site adjacent to Eagle Rock and will grant reasonable access to the rock.
The company also said it will be completing a perimeter fence around the site, which will block access to the protesters' campsite. Previously, Kennecott had left the fence unfinished to allow campers to remain there, company officials said.
Kristi Mills, director of Save the Wild U.P., an organization actively involved with protesting the project, said the individuals who refused to leave were making a brave statement.
"It's been a long struggle for over a month now ... their sacrifice is to be commended," Mills said. "I think it's a sad state of affairs that people were arrested for what they believe in."
The Indian translation of Eagle Rock is "migi zii wa sin;" protesters say the place is considered sacred to Native Americans. Kennecott plans to drill the portal for its nickel and copper mine just west of the rock outcropping in Michigamme Township. The entrance site is on state land leased by Kennecott.
While the company has begun site preparation work to for its surface facilities, opponents of the nickel and copper mine have said the company does not have the necessary federal permit for construction to begin.
Environmental opponents of the Kennecott project fear the mine will pollute groundwater resources and surface streams, including the nearby Salmon Trout River, which feeds into Lake Superior. Mining company officials say the mine can operate safely without threatening the environment.
Protesters, including members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, have been camping near Eagle Rock since April 23. Since then, the size of the group has grown and fluctuated, with many people bringing food and provisions to those staying there. At times, there have been as many as 20 people camping at the site, where campers had established a community garden and a fire.
Representatives from Kennecott and the KBIC met earlier this month, but neither side has publicly discussed details of the talks.
As word of the arrests and removals spread, a vocal group of mine opponents rallied this afternoon in front of the federal building in downtown Marquette, drawing car horn honks and shouts from passing motorists.
Kennecott believes the mine could produce as much as 300 million pounds of nickel and about 200 million pounds of copper. Kennecott is owned by London-based Rio Tinto PLC.
Claire Abent can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her e-mail address is cabent@miningjournal.net.
