National Water Pollution on the Rise

March 3, 2010

The latest from Charles Duhigg’s “Toxic Waters” series in the New York Times shows that, while Clean Water Act violations are rapidly rising, enforcement actions are declining at the same quick pace.  Part of the problem comes from recent US Supreme Court decisions that have exempted many of the nation’s waterways from protection under the Clean Water Act.

Not many are getting the message.  A recent editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune supporting PolyMet’s controversial NorthMet project claims that environmental laws are strong and are vigorously enforced.  Only four days after the Tribune’s confident editorial, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a strong critique of the environmental review of PolyMet’s project, giving it the lowest possible rating, “environmentally unsatisfactory-inadequate,” and recommending the mine “must not proceed as proposed.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Posted by LSMN

Marquette City Commission Opposes Water-Mining Ballot; City Endorsed Ballot Provision In Past (with Video)

December 15, 2009

After addressing pollution concerns at the former Cliffs-Dow site, the Marquette City Commission took public comment on a proposed anti-ballot initiative resolution [read Marquette City Resolution Opposing Water Mining Ballot Initiative].  The “MiWater” ballot initiative would place greater restrictions on metallic sulfide and uranium mining activities in Michigan.  Despite offering unanimous support for the resolution, commissioners presented a fairly diverse argument in their opposition to the MiWater ballot initiative.  The majority of citizens providing public comment outlined various arguments in support of the ballot effort.

New commissioner David Saint-Onge questioned why the City was considering the resolution.

“As a new guy on the commission, I’m not so sure why this issue comes before us, to be honest with you, why we’re taking the amount of time that we’ve taken to address this issue – not that it’s not important,” said Saint-Onge. “I do believe that there are some portions of the resolution that’s being offered this evening that are unnecessarily inflammatory.” Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a Comment » | Eagle Mine, economy, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, lake superior, Law, Michigan, uranium, water, water pollution, workers | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
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Public Unable to Speak at PolyMet Meetings

December 12, 2009
Tightly-controlled verbal public comment led to a lack of public participation in that part of the PolyMet DEIS process; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen

As the result of tightly-controlled verbal public comment, few participated in that part of the PolyMet DEIS process; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen

Hundreds of PolyMet Mining Company supporters were bussed to public meetings in Aurora and Blaine to provide comments on the company’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the proposed NorthMet project.  The organizing effort was combined with a public relations blitz of endorsements from Minnesota state and federal politicians -including the late endorsement of Senator Al Franken – the Minnesota AFL-CIO, construction groups and the Chamber of Commerce.  Despite the large turnout, the public was unable to speak at either meeting.

“The ‘public hearings’ didn’t actually allow public comments to the audience,” said retired miner, Bob Tammen.  “The only oral comments allowed were by individuals to stenographers in a tightly monitored room separate from the auditorium.  That meant that the only outside speakers allowed were Iron Range legislators.”

Citizens wanting to give verbal public comment registered here in order to speak, privately, with a stenographer; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen

In a new public hearing format, described as “enhanced” by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), public comments were severely restricted with the only speakers allowed to voice opinions on the project being staunch political supporters of PolyMet’s NorthMet proposal.  State Senator David Tomassoni and State Representative Thomas Rukavina gave speeches at the hearing in Aurora, on Wednesday, while State Senator Thomas Bakk chimed in at the Blaine hearing, the following day. Read the rest of this entry »

1 Comment | economy, lake superior, Minnesota, public land, water pollution | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
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Something to Hide? Minnesota Miner Opposes $500,000 Water Testing Investment

December 2, 2009

At a recent meeting in Ely, Minnesota a mining company actively exploring the state for metallic sulfide ore bodies expressed opposition to a project that would allow residents to better understand water quality in the area.  If the mining industry can’t stop it, the project would represent a significant investment for remote Lake County and could help ensure that the area’s lucrative tourism industry remains intact for years to come.

Bob and Pat Tammen Canoe on Birch Lake; Photo courtesy Lori Andresen

On November 19, the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) outlined plans before the Lake County Board for an extensive water testing effort of the Kawishiwi River watershed in order to locate pollution sources and prevent future pollution.  The project would be funded with $500,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and could possibly attract matching funds. Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a Comment » | Duluth Metals, Film, gold, lake superior, Minnesota, public land, water, water pollution | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
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Protect the Earth Summit Considered a Success

August 27, 2008

Over 200 concerned individuals from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ontario and Michigan attended Marquette County’s Protect the Earth Summit on the first weekend in August. Saturday events included workshops on treaty rights, successful grassroots opposition to metallic sulfide mining projects and a presentation on the polluted Flambeau Mine, in Wisconsin. A rally was held, at Marquette’s Presque Isle Park that featured musicians and speakers, including Fred Rydholm, Laura Furtman, Al Gedicks, Bobby Bullet, Victor McManemy and Jim St. Arnold, as well as traditional Anishinaabe shawl and hoop dancing, performed by Megan Tucker. On Sunday, over 120 people walked to

Eagle Rock from the Yellow Dog River and held a rally and sacred eagle feather ceremony at the site of the proposed Kennecott Eagle Mine. The event was sponsored by Yellow Dog Summer, Keepers of the Water and Students Against Sulfide Mining.

Citizens from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan Walk to Eagle Rock, on the Yellow Dog Plains; Photo courtesy Teresa Bertossi

Citizens from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan Walk to Eagle Rock, on the Yellow Dog Plains; Photo courtesy Teresa Bertossi

Read the rest of this entry »

Leave a Comment » | cameco, civil disobedience, Eagle Mine, human rights, indigenous, Kennecott-Rio Tinto, lake superior, Michigan, public land, water pollution | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by LSMN

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