Feds Halt! Twin Metals plan for Minnesota copper mine
Source: KNOW.ORG (NPR Duluth, Minnesota)
December 15, 2016
Two federal agencies have denied the renewal of mineral leases near Ely and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, dealing a major blow to the efforts of Twin Metals Minnesota to open an underground copper-nickel mine there.
The government also initiated steps that could lead to a 20-year moratorium on new mining in the region.
In announcing its decision, the U.S. Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture cited concerns expressed in thousands of public comments, and the potential environmental impacts of copper-nickel mining on the Boundary Waters wilderness, and the nearly $45 million recreation economy it supports.
"Today's decision to halt the current threat of dangerous, environmentally risky sulfide-ore copper mining is a major victory for our state and our environment," said Minnesota DFL U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum.
"Today's decision reflects strong support from a majority of Minnesotans who want to prioritize the wide-ranging value our communities gain from a healthy Boundary Waters, rather than open an industrial mining zone less than a mile from the wilderness edge, said Becky Rom, with the Campaign to Save the Boundary Waters.
Read more: http://kuow.org/post/feds-halt-twin-metals-plan-minnesota-copper-mine
The link has a 6-min audio of the radio news coverage.
This is a HUGE victory for the environment in Northern Minnesota and preserving the pristine Boundary Waters Wilderness Area! It has been a long fight. This is great news today!
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I can still remember going out onto the lakes with a canoe, and seeing the bottom of the lakes, it was that clean and fresh to be on.
It is really a amazing place going from one lake to another and watching the Northern Lights
for the animals, for the air, for the water, for the eco-system, etc.
(We need environmental emoji's)
