Senator Jason Allen News - JasonAllen.org

Recent legislation introduced by Senator Jason Allen to regulate a new type of mining in Michigan received a hearing in the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs last week.

Senate Bill 1457 would establish rules and regulations for non-ferrous metal mining in Michigan.  Recent discoveries of copper, nickel, zinc and other metal deposits in the Upper Peninsula prompted the initiation of the legislation.

In order to allow for environmentally sound mining practices, a workgroup was established to draft the legislation eventually introduced by Allen. The group consisted of environmental organizations, industry representatives, local and state officials, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources.

The legislation is supported by Trout Unlimited, the Mackinac Chapter of Sierra Club, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the Michigan Farm Bureau, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Front 40 Environmental Group, Kennecott Minerals and the Department of Environmental Quality, amongst a number of other supporters.

Similar legislation, House Bill 6243, was introduced by Representative Tom Casperson and passed the House on Nov. 11.  For the status and analysis of bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature, please visit www.michiganlegislature.org.