Minnesota Legislators Battle over Trust Lands
Minnesota state legislators are arguing over who should administer more than 2.5 million acres of school trust lands in the forests of northern Minnesota.
Land and Resource Use
Rep. Chip Cravaak Speaks in Favor of Mining, Polymet Project
U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaak says that environmentally sound mining is a vital part of a healthy Minnesota economy.
Forest Service Reduces 2012 Summer Boundary Waters Permits
The Forest Service has lowered quotas for six entry points into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) as a result of damage caused by the Pagami Creek Wildfire.
St. Louis County Supports Nonferrous Mining
The St. Louis County board finished out the year by narrowly voting to support nonferrous mining.
DNR to Host Ely Fisheries Open House
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is hosting an open house on Monday, January 9, to hear from stakeholders about fisheries in the Ely area.
Protestors Demonstrate Against Mine
Opposition to plans to mine copper, nickel, and precious metals in northeastern Minnesota took on an “Occupy Wall Street” tone when protesters demonstrated outside a Duluth Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday.
National Forest Holiday Greenery Available
The Superior National Forest is reminding the public that its trees and boughs can be harvested for use in holiday decorating.
Superior Forest Head to Retire
Jim Sanders, who has held the top post on the Superior National Forest longer than any other forest supervisor, will retire at the end of December after 15 years in the position.
Ruffed Grouse Comments Sought
The Minnesota DNR is accepting comments from citizens interested in ruffed grouse and the habitat that supports the popular woodland game bird.
Lutsen Allowed to Pump from River
The Minnesota DNR will allow Lutsen Mountain ski area to pump water from the drought-parched Poplar River, a designated trout stream on Lake Superior’s North Shore.
Deer Hunters Hoping for Better Success
Deer hunters in northeastern Minnesota are hoping for better success this weekend after the opening days of the firearms’ season’s proved slower than usual.
DNR Seeks Grand Marais Fisheries Comments
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wants the public to ask questions or submit comments on its fisheries management plans for a number of Grand Marais area lakes and streams.
DNR Taking Comments on Lutsen Water Use
The Minnesota DNR is seeking public comments on a controversial proposal to temporarily permit the Lutsen Mountains ski resort to continue to draw water from the Poplar River despite low flow in the river.
Moose Hunting Success Rate Climbs
Despite concerns about the state’s moose population, Minnesota moose hunters had one of the most successful seasons in recent years, with 58% of parties taking an animal.
State Prospecting Leases Postponed Again
For the third time this year, Minnesota’s Executive Council has delayed the sale of a set of northeastern Minnesota mineral exploration leases on properties where the state holds mineral rights but private individuals own surface land.
State Mineral Lease Sale Delayed Again
A council of top Minnesota government officials has again delayed the sale of a set of northeastern Minnesota mineral exploration leases on properties where the state holds the mineral rights but private individuals own the surface land.
Judge Denies Cell Tower Near BWCAW
A Hennepin County judge ruled Wednesday against AT&T’s proposed 450-foot lighted cellular communications tower which would have been visible deep into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Glencore Buys More of PolyMet
Glencore International, the Swiss commodities and natural resources behemoth, furthered its stake in PolyMet Mining, buying an additional $13.1 million of the company’s stock. PolyMet plans a copper-nickel mine near Babbitt, Minnesota.
PolyMet EIS Slowed by Shutdown
The Minnesota state government shutdown is delaying work on PolyMet Mining’s revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement which depends on the efforts of Department of Natural Resources and the Pollution Control Agency officials.
Proposed Atikokan Gold Mine Advances
A proposed gold mining venture north of Atikokan, Ontario continues to define its mineral resource and prepare for environmental permitting in an effort to be in full production in late 2015.