UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WLUC) – The Keweenaw Land Association is looking to expand its mineral rights within the Upper Peninsula.
The mineral assets company wants to lease about 10,631 acres across Baraga, Dickinson, Iron, Marquette and Menominee counties. If this is approved by the DNR, this would allow the exploration for the presence of metallic minerals in those areas.
Currently, the Keweenaw Land Association owns and manages 400,000 acres of mineral rights within the Upper Peninsula.
As a part of the public comment stage of the direct leasing process, the Michigan DNR held a public information meeting on Wednesday.
There were calls for the DNR to deny the lease.
“Just have it be where you’re not just a rubber stamp for what industry wants, what profit demands,” East Lansing Resident Nicole Biber said. “Say, ‘Actually, there is too much of an environmental impact.’”
“The DNR should keep in mind its legal responsibility to steward taxpayer resources,” Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve Member Brian Noell said. “Before issuing a lease should consider how mineral development would impact sensitive areas in this vast acreage.”
TV6 called the president and CEO of the Keweenaw Land Association. He said the company is waiting until the process moves forward to provide any statement.
It’s unclear when the DNR will decide on the lease.
For those who missed the meeting, the DNR is accepting questions from the public.
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