Judge Paula Manderfield denied a motion of stay this Tuesday the 14th of September, which would have blocked the Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. from excavating the portal to its nickel and copper mine on the Yellow Dog Plains until the appeals case  is decided. The National Wildlife Federation, Huron Mountain Club, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community asked Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Paula J.M. Manderfield to grant the stay. “Blasting, digging, and drilling into, and beneath, this place of (Native American) worship will result in the physical and spiritual destruction of Eagle Rock and will immediately and irreparably harm petitioners,” the plaintiffs’ motion read.

Michelle Halley, an attorney for the National Wildlife Federation, said Manderfielddid not consider the rock outcropping near the mine portal, known as Eagle Rock, a sacred site. Emily Whittaker, of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, said, “This denial, to me, reflects more on the state of the judicial system and its ability to be swayed by politics than a decision made through unbiased justice.”

The groups will continue to work to preserve the area as well as await a decision in the appeals case.