Kennecott ruling moved to 2007
A preliminary ruling had been expected in late November on the nickel and copper mine proposed for the Yellow Dog Plains in northwestern Marquette County, but the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has delayed it until January.

The reason, the agency announced last week, was to allow more time for the public to study the plans outlined by the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company and for its Eagle Project. The proposal has generated public opposition from groups such as the National Wildlife Federation who fear it will have a negative environmental impact.

Kennecott had said it wants to begin work on $100 million investments to support its mining effort. The mine is to work a copper deposit estimated at 336 million pounds and a nickel deposit estimated at 300 million pounds. The resources are contained on a site near the headwaters of the Salmon Trout River, west of Big Bay, in northwestern Marquette County.

Kennecott plans to drill a shaft into a large outcrop next to the Triple A Road in Michigamme Township, approximately 10 miles southwest of Big Bay. Tunneling from there it is to continue diagonally to a depth of approximately 1,000 feet to reach the nickel and other minerals.

For the operation Kennecott has purchased and leased 1,800 acres, most of which will be left open for recreational purposes. The construction for the mine and its support facilities is to occupy about 88 acres. The support facilities are to include a power plant, a warehouse with office space attached to it, a water treatment plant, fuel and propane storage areas, and areas for the storage of rock, ore, and excavated soil.

(From Michigan Construction News.com)

October construction Drops 4 percent
New construction starts in October fell 4% from September to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $601.8 billion, according to McGraw-Hill Construction, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

Moderate declines compared to September were reported for each of the construction industry's three main sectors - nonresidential building, residential building, and nonbuilding construction (public works and electric utilities).

Through the first ten months of 2006, total U.S. construction on an unadjusted basis was up 0.5% relative to the same period a year ago.

The pace of construction starts has lagged markedly in recent months. "The primary reason for this year's slowing pace of construction starts has been the sharp pullback by single family housing," stated Robert A. Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw-Hill Construction. "The slide for single-family housing grew pronounced in late spring, and it's been followed by a further loss of momentum through October.

By region, total construction during the first ten months of 2006 was mixed - the South Central was up 13%; the Northeast, up 2%; the Midwest and West, each down 2%; and the South Atlantic, down 4%.