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County supports Back Forty Mine

ESCANABA — The Delta County Board of Commissioners voted to pass a resolution supporting Aquila Resources, Inc.’s efforts to establish a mine in the Stephenson area during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The board’s vote followed an update on the project during its statutory meeting last Tuesday. Chantae Lessard, director of social performance and engagement for Aquila, spoke to the board about the mine at that meeting.

Once Aquila’s mining facility — known as the Back Forty Mine — is completed, it will be used to mine zinc, gold, copper, silver, and lead. The company has already invested over $80 million into the project, and $260 million is expected to be invested into the mine’s construction. Additionally, over $20 million in new tax revenue is expected to be generated in a typical year of the mine’s operation.

Delta County Administrator Ryan Bergman said the resolution was presented to the board as a result of a request from Lessard.

“This isn’t in front of you as a recommendation from me, by any means,” he said.

According to Board Chair David Rivard, there has been some controversy surrounding the Back Forty Mine project in Menominee County.

“This has been a hot potato over there for the last five years,” he said. Opponents to the project have voiced concerns related to the proposed site for the Back Forty Mine, which is close to the Menominee River.

So far, Aquila has procured three of the four Michigan Department of Environmental Quality permits it needs to move forward with construction on the Back Forty Mine, including the Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining Permit, the Air Use Permit to Install, and the Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System Permit. The company filed for the final permit needed for the project, the Wetlands Protection Permit, on Oct. 2.

Before a vote was taken on the resolution, Rivard asked to be recused due to his connection to Aquila.

“I do own stock in that gold mine — (I) have for about four, five years,” he said. The board granted Rivard’s request.

In other business, the board:

– entered closed session to discuss Bergman’s upcoming performance evaluation. No official actions were taken at this time, but a decision on the process that will be used for this evaluation was made.

– voted to accept the 2017 Millage and Apportionment Report.

– passed a resolution in support of Michigan Senate Bill 400 and Michigan House Bill 4651, which would amend the funding system for 9-1-1.

– voted to provide $3,500 to the Delta County Airport to help it buy an advertisement in Sky Magazine.

– passed a resolution encouraging President Donald Trump to protect Great Lakes restoration funding.

– renewed an annual intergovernmental contract for the NorthCare Network.

– voted to adopt the hard cap cost sharing model for employee healthcare for 2018.

– approved the Building and Grounds Committee’s recommendations for improving security at the Delta County Courthouse.

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