Upper Peninsula

Nickel-copper mine project in the UP being sold for $325 million

Mark Brush — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:53:45 +0000

The owner of the controversial Eagle mine project in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Rio Tinto PLC, says it will sell the project to Canada's Lundin Mining Corp. for $325 million.

The deal will require approval from regulators.

Rio Tinto is still building the mine which they say is 55% complete. Construction started in 2010.

Tunneling to wrap up at Rio Tinto Eagle Mine

The Associated Press — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 16:38:00 +0000

MICHIGAMME TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Tunneling at an Upper Peninsula mine is expected to be completed less than two years after digging started.

The Mining Journal of Marquette reports that Redpath Mining Contractors and Engineers expect to finish their work Friday at the Rio Tinto Eagle Mine in Michigamme Township.

More than two miles of tunnels have been built since drilling started in September 2011. The operation will mine and backfill ore which contains nickel and copper.

A rebound for Michigan's maple syrup producers

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 31 May 2013 16:24:50 +0000

It has been a good year for maple syrup in Michigan. Farms produced twice the amount of syrup as they did last year, thanks to prime weather conditions that extended the tree-tapping season into April.

Syrup production ended in the Lower Peninsula in early April, and the Upper Peninsula continued production until the end of April. The official numbers of gallons produced will be released in early June.

5 natural gems even native Michiganders don't know about

Stateside Staff — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:07:26 +0000

Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore was voted 'The Most Beautiful Place in America in 2011,' we know that.

Some Michigan natives try to avoid the popular tourist sites during peak visiting months. The crowds can be overwhelming for some tourists, too.

Lifelong Michigander or not, if you're trying to soak up Michigan's beauty without all the people, check out michigantrailmaps.com.

Wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula approved, opponents vow to fight on

Steve Carmody — Fri, 10 May 2013 05:19:00 +0000

A state board authorized a wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula on Thursday.

The decision comes after months of passionate debate.

Carol Smith is one of many people who urged the Natural Resources Commission to reject the proposed wolf hunt in the U.P.

“I really worry about our state’s legacy if we allow wolf hunting,” Smith told the commission.

But there were also people who urged approval of the hunt. And in the end, the commission voted six to one to authorize it.

The controversy around a wolf hunt in Michigan

Stateside Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:36:30 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder has signed Senate Bill 288. That could clear the way for a wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula.

His signature clears the way for the state's Natural Resources Commission to vote on a recommendation to hold a limited wolf hunt this fall in three parts of the UP.

The Governor told Michigan Radio's Lindsey Smith that he believes the NRC will base its decision on what he called "sound scientific principles."

"If you think about it, I think sound scientific principals are how we should decide these things, to make sure we are doing the proper environmental functions that protect whatever species we're talking about, so it's sustainable for the long term," said Snyder.

More than quarter of a million Michiganders signed a petition asking to put a wolf hunt proposal on the November 2014 ballot. And the coalition called Keep Michigan Wolves Protected says Senate Bill 288 is a deliberate attempt by lawmakers to circumvent their petition effort.

The Governor's response?

You have to see this stunning video of Michigan's Northern Lights

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:10:16 +0000

The wonders of our night sky often escape us.

The rainbows of the fleeting Northern Lights or the bright streak of a comet frequently slip behind cloud cover or crowded city skylines, leaving stargazers unrewarded.

But Shawn Malone, of Lake Superior Photo, was luckier than most.

State officials to recommend a wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula

Steve Carmody — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:44:46 +0000

State wildlife officials plan to recommend Thursday that Michigan hold a wolf hunt this Fall in the U.P.

Gray wolves in Michigan were until recently listed as an endangered species. There are about 700 wolves in Michigan. Farmers say the growing wolf population is a threat to livestock.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will receive a recommendation to kill 47 wolves, as part of a hunt, focused in three parts of the Upper Peninsula. The commission may vote next month to set the dates for a wolf hunt.

Wolf hunt opponents deliver petitions to Secretary of State's office

Steve Carmody — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:03:37 +0000

People fighting a proposed wolf hunt in Michigan are celebrating a milestone today.

They delivered a quarter million petition signatures to the Secretary of State’s office this morning. The petition calls for a statewide vote on the law authorizing the wolf hunt.

Jill Fritz is the director of the Keep Michigan Wolves Protected campaign. She’s optimistic that state officials will validate enough signatures to put the issue on the ballot.

Father and son go on a road trip and bring us a guide to 'Yooper Bars'

Stateside Staff — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:56:19 +0000

Anybody who lives in Michigan would not be shocked to hear that there is a lot of good beer, and a lot of good bars to support it.

The problem is finding where exactly are all of the good bars and drinks.

That mystery has been left to word of mouth, hearsay, and luck - until now.

Recently a father-son duo have helped in providing a solution to that problem by doing the kind of research that many dream about.

On a month long road trip they searched every corner of the Upper Peninsula to find exactly where good bars, good drinks, and good times can be found.

The results of their bar hopping excursion were thoroughly documented in a travel guide, entitled Yooper Bars.

In their guide, they break down the history, flavor and atmosphere of over 100 bars that help make the Upper Peninsula unique.

The guide is packed full of facts, bar savvy and humor, such as each bar's specialty drink, food, staff, celebrity sightings, and favorite jokes.

We had an opportunity to sit down father and researcher emeritus, Randy Kluck as well as his son, author and entrepreneur, Kevin Kluck.

The two give us the details on memorable food, drink, stories, and tell us about what it takes to visit 110 out of the 300 bars that are located in the Upper Peninsula.

Listen to the full interview above.

Michigan DEQ approves stream, wetlands permit for UP mine

The Associated Press — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:54:00 +0000

IRONWOOD, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has tentatively approved the last major permit needed for construction of a copper and silver mine in the western Upper Peninsula.

The permit deals with protection of wetlands, inland lakes and streams. It will become final after being signed by Orvana Minerals Corp. and state officials.

State Senate approves bear cub petting zoos

Jake Neher — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:47:30 +0000

A bill to let people hold, pet, and take pictures with bear cubs has passed the state Senate. The measure would allow an Upper Peninsula bear ranch to continue to offer the experience. It would let the public handle bears up to 36 weeks old or less than 90 pounds.
Senator Rebekah Warren voted against the bill.
She says lawmakers should put residents’ safety ahead of the financial benefit of a single business.

Spotty snow a mixed bag for businesses in Michigan

The Associated Press — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:20:00 +0000

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) - Spotty snowfall in the Upper Midwest is making some business owners happy and hurting others.

Snow accumulation is below normal across the region for the second consecutive winter. It's picked up over the past week as temperatures have fallen dramatically. But some areas are having a feast and others a famine.

Sarah Long says bare ground caused her resort in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to lose nearly three weeks' worth of reservations. But heavy lake-effect snow in recent days has turned things around.

Michigan's governor declares Energy Emergency in parts of the Upper Peninsula

Steve Carmody — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 00:45:00 +0000

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has declared a State of Energy Emergency in part of the Upper Peninsula.
There’s a shortage of propane in parts of the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin.
According to the governor’s state of energy emergency declaration, high demand for propane, coupled with repairs on a propane pipeline terminal has resulted in a temporary shortage.

Group gets green light to seek repeal of wolf hunt law from state board

Jake Neher — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 21:29:27 +0000

An animal welfare group has the green light to start collecting signatures in its attempt to stop a new law opening Michigan to a wolf hunt.
On Thursday, a state board approved petitions drafted by the group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected.
Michael Hodge is their attorney. He said there is no evidence that wolves are a problem in the Upper Peninsula.
“So it’s a hunting season for trophy hunters who want to kill an animal that just basically reappeared in the state of Michigan in recent years,” said Hodge.

Referendum campaign will try to block wolf hunts

Rick Pluta — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 22:13:20 +0000

A ballot campaign will launch this week to overturn a new law that allows the state to establish wolf hunting seasons in the Upper Peninsula.
The campaign Keep Michigan Wolves Protected will appear before a state elections board on Thursday to get its petition approved for circulation.
Jill Fritz is the Michigan director for the Humane Society and the leader of the petition drive. She said the gray wolf was only recently removed from the endangered species list.

Bear cub petting zoo bill will come up again in 2013

Jake Neher — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:26:44 +0000

Bills to ease restrictions on owning and breeding large carnivores in Michigan are likely to come up again in 2013.
Governor Rick Snyder recently vetoed the legislation because of language he said would compromise public safety.
Republican state Senator Joe Hune said the measure has attracted unfair criticism. He said many opponents cite an incident in Ohio a year ago, when a man deliberately freed a number of dangerous exotic animals he owned.

Wolf hunt one step closer in Michigan, bill on its way to Snyder

Rick Pluta — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:12:24 +0000

Legislation that could allow a limited wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula cleared the state House Wednesday, and is on its way to Governor Rick Snyder.
The grey wolf was recently removed from the federal endangered species list.
State Representative Jeff Irwin is a Democrat from Ann Arbor. He was one of the “no” votes.
“This is an animal that just came off the endangered species list. The populations are not even healthy or even abundant, and I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about shooting wolves in northern Michigan,” Irwin said.

DEQ reviewing final permit application for new U.P. copper mine

Rebecca Williams — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:33:11 +0000

The company Orvana Resources is one step closer to getting the approval it needs to build a new mine. The Copperwood Mine is proposed for a site north of the town of Wakefield in the western U.P. The state is reviewing the company’s final environmental permit.
The Department of Environmental Quality has already given the company mining, wastewater and air permits.

State Senate passes bill that could lead to gray wolf hunting season

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 18:08:26 +0000

A controversial piece of legislation that would make the gray wolf a game species has passed the Michigan Senate.
The bill, introduced by Escanaba Republican Tom Casperson, paves the way for a possible hunting and trapping seasons for wolves.
If the bill becomes law, the state’s Natural Resources Commission would be allowed to determine if a hunt were needed.
There are nearly 700 wolves in Michigan today, up from under 300 just a decade ago. The wolves, removed from the endangered species list this past January, are concentrated in the western Upper Peninsula.