The U.S. Supreme Court declined to take a case trying to stop the development of a new copper and nickel mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The high court let stand a lower court's rejection of the Huron Mountain Club's arguments that the mine needs federal permits.
The Club owns a 19,000-acre wildlife and nature preserve that includes an 11-mile stretch of the Salmon Trout River.
The Eagle Mine is located a few miles upstream, and some mining will take place under the river.
Rick Addison is a lawyer for the Club. He said the mining will cause environmental damage.
"Not only the draw down of the wetlands and the sources of that river, but the impact of the acid drainage on it as well," he said. "And so far we do not think those issues have been completely or properly reviewed."
Addison said the next step is for the Club to pursue its appeal of state permits.
In a written statement, officials with the mine said it has the necessary state and federal permits to build and operate the mine.
Virginia Gordan, Michigan Radio Newsroom
