MENOMINEE, MI-- An administrative law judge has overturned a wetlands permit for the Back Forty zinc and gold mine in Menominee County.
After seven months of evidentiary hearings the judge determined the permit submitted by Aquila Resources doesn’t provide reliable identification of wetland impacts and is therefore incomplete. The judge also ruled Aquila didn’t provide a complete assessment of potential alternatives to its proposed plan.
The mine is planned on the banks of the Menominee River. Multiple groups have pushed against the project, citing environmental concerns.
The company already has air and water discharge permits. It needs mining and dam safety permits—along with the wetland permit—from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy to proceed.
