MENOMINEE COUNTY, MI-- The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a surface water discharge permit for Aquila Resources’ Back Forty project in Menominee County.
The DEQ says the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit is designed to safeguard the Menominee River and protect its designated uses.
Officials say significant provisions were added to the permit to require submittal and review of downstream ambient water quality data and protection of sensitive mussels in the river.
Environmentalists say the open-pit sulfide mine will be too close to the river and will likely create acid drainage.