New mining near Ely, MN and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is still years down the road. But mining companies are drilling core samples and testing new forms of pollution control technology in anticipation of its beginning.
Land and Resource Use
Potential Auction of Mining Leases Draws Protest
State plans to auction off more leases for mining are drawing protest.
U.S. House Passes Boundary Waters Land Swap Bill
A land swap bill that would swap 86,000 acres of state lands inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for federal land on the edge of the Superior National Forest has passed the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cummings Lake Fire an Example of New Forest Service Fire Fighting Policy
Lake and area closures have been lifted in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, though fire restrictions remain in place HERE. The suppression of the recent Cummings Lake Fire has prompted …
Saving the Pow Wow Trail
The Forest Service is considering closing the 30-mile Pow Wow Trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but one group of hikers is hoping to prevent that.
Mining in Minnesota: Ely’s Steve Piragis Offers His Take on Keeping Wilderness Pristine
As northwoods mining takes center stage on the economic and environmental stages, a long time land use debate is resurfacing among neighbors who make Ely, MN their home. Steve Piragis, owner of Piragis Northwoods Company, is no stranger to that debate. He and his wife have run their shop and guide service since 1979.
News Update: BWCAW Land Swap Bill to be Considered by House
Last spring, representative Chip Cravaack introduced federal legislation to exchange 86,000 acres of state lands embedded inside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for an equal amount of federal land outside the wilderness.
Supreme Court Ruling Sought for Cell Tower
The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness has petitioned the Minnesota Supreme Court to review an appeals court ruling on a cell tower to be constructed near the BWCAW.
DNR Details First Minnesota Wolf Hunt
The Minnesota DNR released the details yesterday for the state’s first regulated wolf hunting and trapping season to be held later this year.
DNR Plans Herbicide Applications Near Tower
The Minnesota DNR plans to apply herbicides to more than 500 acres of forest near Tower to control vegetation on newly established forests.
St. Louis County Mulls Deer Stand Options
St. Louis County commissioners and land managers are considering options to stop deer hunters from building elaborate stands and clearing trees on county land.
North Shore Parks to Celebrate Lake Superior
Four Minnesota State Parks located on Lake Superior’s North Shore will feature special programs to celebrate Lake Superior Day next weekend.
Border Security vs. Wilderness Protection
Another new bill raises concerns about potential development in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives waives environmental regulations on public land within 100 miles of international borders.
New Bills Could Open Wilderness Areas to Hunting, Fishing, Motors
When the U.S. House passed the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012 two months ago, it didn’t get much attention. But after further analysis, the bill is increasingly seen as a real …
Appeals Court Overturns Cell-Tower Ruling
The Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed a lower court ruling barring construction of a 450-foot cell-tower atop a 150-foot ridge at the edge of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.
Spruce Road Copper Estimate Doubles
The world’s largest untapped copper deposit just got bigger. Twin Metals, Inc. now estimates its resource near Ely holds more than 8-billion pounds of copper.
Comments Sought on Lutsen Water Project
The Minnesota DNR is seeking public comment on an environmental assessment worksheet for a project to bring water from Lake Superior to Lutsen Mountain and other customers.
State Mineral Exploration Leases Approved
The Minnesota Executive Committee agreed to permit exploration for minerals on state lands and privately held land where the state owns the minerals rights.
Forest Service Okays Mineral Exploration Plan
The U.S. Forest Service has approved a plan for mining companies to expand the exploration for minerals in the Superior National Forest near Ely.
Groups Work to Restore North Shore Forest
A group of landowners and others concerned about North Shore forests are working to restore conifer forests to the Minnesota’s Lake Superior coast.