EPA says Minnesota can’t ignore wild rice problems caused by mining
Federal agency says state can’t leave lakes off impaired waters list simply because legislature won’t allow pollution enforcement.
Legislation/Policy
Senator Smith calls for Biden appointees to finish mining study and consider 20-year prohibition
Letter requests new administration complete its analysis of whether mining can be done safely in Boundary Waters watershed.
Federal officials pause both Twin Metals and PolyMet copper-nickel mine proposals
Government attorneys, engineers, and scientists hit the brakes on both proposed mines in Minnesota’s northwoods.
Superior National Forest picks projects for infrastructure investment funded by recent legislation
First phase of effort to catch up on maintenance backlog will make repairs and improvements possible.
Former Minnesota governor calls on Biden to protect Boundary Waters from mining pollution
Mark Dayton: “…the only acceptable goal is permanent protection from copper mining near the Boundary Waters.”
Minnesota legislature deliberates wolf hunting after removal from Endangered Species List
Competing bills introduced to require or prohibit hunting season as state takes over management.
Prove It First bill and a Path to Permanent Protection
Elected officials and environmental groups roll out plans for legislation and other actions to prevent contamination.
Legislators and advocates call for “Prove It First” copper-nickel mining law in Minnesota
Legislation would require high standard of evidence that a mine can be operated without polluting. “Before they put a shovel into the ground…”
Forest Service seeks input on infrastructure repairs to prioritize with Great American Outdoors Act
Agency asks for public comments on how to spend money from the Great American Outdoors Act recently signed into law to catch up on maintenance backlog.
Environmental lawyers argue at Supreme Court that PolyMet plans bigger mine than permitted
Groups allege company could triple size of project soon after start, violating the Clean Air Act.
Federal government removes Endangered Species protection for gray wolves
Department of the Interior says iconic species has met recovery goals, while advocates say the decision is not justified, and pledge legal action.
Federal government rejects effort to protect moose with Endangered Species Act
Agency disagrees with environmental and tribal advocates who say that action is needed to save the massive mammals in canoe country.
Minnesotans asked to provide input on wolf management
DNR seeks public comments and participating in hearings as it revises state’s wolf plan.
Court rules that Minnesota pollution regulators obeyed law when working on PolyMet permit
Decision in lawsuit finds that agency tried to keep criticisms from public, but did not violate any statutes.
Rainy River restored after decades of abuse
Once badly polluted, the river that drains much of the Quetico-Superior region now boasts clean water and good fishing.
Great American Outdoors Act could help Voyageurs, Isle Royale
Major legislation will direct billions of dollars toward catching up on maintenance at National Parks and other public lands.
Legislation includes measure to block federal review of Twin Metals mine proposal
Rep. McCollum pushes to prohibit action on mining upstream of the Boundary Waters. A bill to provide funding to the Department of the Interior in the next fiscal year would cover everything from the National Park Service to the Environmental Protection Agency…
Northeastern Minnesota environmental projects in jeopardy as state senate refuses to spend lottery funds
Republicans refuse to approve funds dedicated to science and conservation in a dispute over budget.
Clean Water Act rollback could make it difficult to protect BWCAW water from mining pollution
Proposal from federal government could block MN from protecting lakes and rivers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Flashback: A New Yorker tried to mine copper inside the Boundary Waters
George St. Clair’s efforts to exercise mineral rights he had inherited set off battles in the courts, the newspapers, and legislative bodies from St. Paul to Washington, D.C.