Mesabi Daily News - Enough Is Enough!

News Article

By Bill Hanna

Some special interest groups want a far-reaching environmental impact statement done by the U.S. Forest Service on the effects of mining done in all of northern Minnesota, specifically in the Superior National Forest.

But Democratic elected officials are basically saying in unison -- enough is enough. Some of them, however, are using more direct and unequivocal wording.

They all say the proposal would be providing an unnecessary layer of environmental review on top of stringent processes already in place.

The environmental groups, such as Friends of the Boundary Waters, want the Forest Service to prepare something called a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) on mining in the region, with a focus on the Superior National Forest.

Recommendations on the PEIS request could be coming down as early as this week from the local Forest Service office, which would then be passed up to Washington, according to 8th District U.S. Democratic Rep. Rick Nolan of the Brainerd Area.

Nolan definitely had the strongest comments against the proposal of Minnesota's federal elected officials with a political stake on the Range.

"This is just another ridiculous layer. It could actually prevent mining ... at a minimum it would be a delay.

"I've been contacted by all sides and I've met with the USFS at the highest level. I've expressed my strong opposition to a PEIS," Nolan said in a telephone interview on Friday. "Enough is enough."

Gov. Mark Dayton, also in a phone conversation Friday, said while he

hadn't yet talked with his Department of Natural Resources commissioner (Tom Landwehr) on the issue, "... my first reaction is that it's totally unnecessary. It's a delaying tactic."

The state's two Democratic U.S. senators, Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken responded in emails with a bit more mild reactions, although they did say a PEIS is not needed.

"Mining is a great Minnesota tradition, and so is protection of our environment and natural resources.

"There's no question that we need to take into account the environmental impact of any proposed project, but Minnesota and the federal government already have rigorous processes in place to make sure that happens. There's no reason to have an overly burdensome process.

"I've been talking with the Forest Service about this issue and I will continue to be in touch with them," Franken said.

"While every project must undergo a thorough environmental evaluation, I am concerned about adding this additional impact statement when there is already a process in place. I will continue to work with the Forest Service on this issue," Klobuchar said.

Iron Range legislators were on top of the issue a few weeks ago.

In a letter to Klobuchar and Franken dated April 23, the Range Delegation urged them "to work with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and ask them to reject the call for a PEIS in the SNF."

The lawmakers pointed out a PEIS would not duplicate processes already in place and would not provide any new information on mining.

"A PEIS would, however, negatively impact northern Minnesota communities by delaying the appropriate review and consideration of proposed mining projects that stand to produce thousands of needed jobs," they wrote, referring to planned copper/nickel/precious metals ventures on the east Range.

The letter was signed by DFL Sens. Tom Bakk of Cook, David Tomassoni of Chisholm, and Tom Saxhaug of Grand Rapids, along with Reps. Carly Melin of Hibbing, David Dill of Crane Lake, Tom Anzelc of Balsam Township, Joe Radinovich of Crosby and Jason Metsa of Virginia.

Gov. Dayton said the PolyMet project, which will be in the footprint of the former LTV Mining Co. plant near Hoyt Lakes, is receiving "incredibly thorough review."

Nolan said the issue "has already been resolved as policy. It was resolved a long time ago during the Boundary Waters debate in 1978."

He said a deal was made when 1.1 million acres for the BWCAW were taken out of multiple use, "the remaining federal lands were supposed to be used for mining and forestry. It's a matter of law and public policy."

Nolan, who was in Congress in 1978 representing Minnesota's 6th District, said because of that he has a different perspective of it .

"It's one of the advantages of growing old," the congressman said.

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