Seeking to raise awareness about the potential dangers of sulfide and uranium mining on communities and watersheds in the Upper Peninsula, a group began to walk across the U.P. Monday, August 18, holding rallies along the way. One hundred walkers are expected to arrive in St. Ignace on the last leg of their march, hold a rally in St. Ignace Sunday, August 31, then march across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, where they plan to meet with members of Governor Jennifer Granholm's staff.

Reacting to a proposed metallic sulfide mine near Marquette, the walkers include members of more than 30 organizations, including the National Wildlife Federation, who contend that sulfide and uranium mining will harm the environment and economy.

Metallic sulfide mining has been banned in Wisconsin because of toxic discharges.

Marquette resident Margaret Comfort is leading the walk.

"The U.P. is really special to me," she said, and sulfide and uranium mining produce many problems. "We have to put our feet down, right now."

The theme of the walk is "One Step at a Time."

The term recognizes that opposing

projects proposed by multinational corporations will take many movements and efforts by a variety of people, she said.

"Our focus is on Great Lakes protection," said Kristi Mills, director of Save the Wild U.P., one of the walk's sponsors.

Sulfide and uranium mining present serious health hazards, Ms. Mills said, citing detrimental effects from similar mines in Canada.

The center of the controversy has been a project proposed by Kennecott Minerals Corporation, which is preparing to mine near Big Bay in Marquette County. It is the first mine of its kind proposed in Michigan.

Unlike standard mines that extract lumps of raw ore, the process proposed by Kennecott and others seeks metal that is dissolved within sulfide rock. When exposed to oxygen, it produces sulfuric acid that the walkers fear will contaminate watersheds.

As they cross the Upper Peninsula, the walkers will discuss potential water pollution. Technology may not be able to contain the proposed mine's acid discharge, Ms. Mills said.

"The [company's] plan is to treat the water, but with variables like weather and imperfections in the process, there is a serious threat to fish, plant life, and wildlife," she said.

"Water is an irreplaceable gift," Mrs. Comfort said. A goal of the walkers is to help the people of the U.P. and Great Lakes region appreciate what they have, and keep it, she said.

The increasing scarcity of clean, potable water is becoming more apparent as time goes on, she added, citing water shortages in the western United States and moves by several companies to obtain large amounts of Great Lakes water.

Ms. Comfort cited several ongoing sulfide and uranium mining exploration sites in the Upper Peninsula, in addition Kennecott's site. If mines are built, she is concerned they could affect northern Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.

It is not just an Upper Peninsula matter, she said. Companies are investigating areas downstate and in Minnesota.

"I understand that people want jobs," she said. "People in the U.P. need jobs, but these companies are going to take what they want and then leave. That is not sustainable work, and then [mining companies] leave a toxic mess behind."

Ms. Comfort said U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak has consistently opposed sulfide mining and pushed for more study of the industry.

While Mr. Stupak said he does not oppose mining in general, he has insisted that independent studies must be completed before a sulfide mine is allowed in Michigan.

"Once permitted, I am fearful as many as six additional sulfide mines will be allowed to operate on the shores of the Great Lakes, jeopardizing the world's largest body of fresh water," he said in a 2007 press release.

Ms. Mills thinks it has been difficult for local residents to get jobs with the mine.

"Local agencies are trying to create a job program to obtain jobs from Kennecott, but they have to apply through the parent company, Rio Tinto, based in England," she said. "Job search engines like MichiganWorks! have no connection to the project."

The awareness walk is sponsored by the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Northwoods Wilderness Recovery, Keepers of the Water, and Save the Wild U.P.