New lawsuit alleges changes to Minnesota’s water quality rules put wild rice at risk
Fond du Lac and Grand Portage Bands file lawsuit over approval of revised state rules.
Pollution
Reports say Rainy River Watersheds healthy, public comments invited
Rainy River drainages are in good shape, and officials want to keep it that way.
Report: Minnesota’s water under threat, new policies need to protect lakes and rivers
The Minnesota Water Report looks at six major challenges to clean water in the state, including proposed copper-nickel mines, agricultural runoff, discharges from wastewater treatment facilities, water availability, wildlife habitat, and inadequate environmental rules and laws.
Federal officials revoke key Twin Metals mining leases near Boundary Waters
Biden administration revokes Twin Metals mineral rights for proposed copper-nickel mine. Secretary Deb Haaland stated: “After a careful legal review, we found the leases were improperly renewed in violation of applicable statutes and regulations, and we are taking action to cancel them.”
Mining ban near the Boundary Waters? The public is asked to weigh in.
Discussions will cover proposed plan to prohibit new mining activities in locations that threaten BWCAW, if successful, the prohibition would effectively block the proposed Twin Metals mine.
Harmful algae blooms in Voyageurs, Isle Royale focus of new study
Federal agencies conducting research to understand threat of toxins produced by cyanobacteria
Minnesota DNR required to review mining issues
State agency will debate PolyMet tailings permit and evaluate overall regulations.
Report: water quality “pristine” in Boundary Waters watersheds needs protection
New reports detail pristine waters of northeastern Minnesota, threats to the health, and strategies to protect them.
EPA recognizes PolyMet mine could pollute tribal waters
In significant decision, federal agency says pollution from the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine “may affect” downstream lakes and rivers under the jurisdiction of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
EPA identifies Minnesota wild rice waters affected by mine waste, sets up legal battle
Federal agency overrules state’s efforts to ignore sulfate pollution.
Parts of proposed PolyMet project’s mine permit rejected by state Supreme Court
Justices reverse state decisions about indefinite water treatment and tailings basin liner, while upholding other points.
Brook trout found in Dunka River could be threatened by mining pollution
State assessment finds a coldwater stream with wild fish thriving — in the shadow of major mines.
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.
Boundary Waters named an endangered waterway
BWCAW is #3 on the list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers, threatened by pollution from proposed mine.
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.
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.”
Quetico Provincial Park receives Dark Sky designation, joins BWCAW protecting and promoting starry skies
Third preserve in canoe country region gets international recognition for lack of light pollution.
Proposed changes to Minnesota clean water standards could loosen restrictions on pollution
State seeks to use new method to assess discharge from mines and other industrial facilities — discarding long-standing allowable levels.
MN DNR seeks more specifics about Twin Metals mine proposal and possible impacts
New rounds of correspondence between DNR and mining company tries to nail down details needed for environmental review.