Full Circle Superior.  Follow this expedition on foot around the entire 1,600-mile shoreline of Lake Superior, which holds one-tenth of all the freshwater in the world.  Countless cities and communities depend on it for their water supply, trade, and recreation; for them and others, this body of freshwater is the foundation of economic, societal, and environmental well-being.

 Water and the Public Trust by James Olson, Detroit Free Press, April 12, 2010.  Michigan addesses the protection of the "commons" interest in water.

Economic outlook:  Eye on the Range  by Aaron Brown, April 8, 2010.  A short video/article on the need for diversification of the economy away from mining.

Send PolyMet to Summer School campaign

Thanks for your signatures supporting the summer petition campaign, requesting  the responsible government agencies produce a supplemental or revised draft EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) for the PolyMet mine proposal, complete with an additional public comment period, before proceeding to the final Environmental Impact Statement. 

The lead agencies and the company haven't done their homework.  One must be very skeptical -- "If this is indicative of the quality assurance they would offer residents that this toxic type of mining new to Minnesota will not pollute the valuable freshwater resources of the state and Lake Superior basin?"

Read WaterLegacy comments on the inadequate PolyMet DEIS.

EPA and Interior Dept. give PolyMet Project and DEIS lowest possible marks

*   The EPA has erased any doubt that fears about the project are legitimate.   Opinion page, Star Tribune  2/26/10 8:26 AM       Read EPA's findings.

*     The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says "The anticipated environmental impacts of the proposed action are not fully and fairly addressed in the DEIS." the  PolyMet DEIS."

OTHER MINING STORIES

A Financial Assurance bill sponsored by Minnesota Envirnomental Partnership (mepartnership.org) occasioned over 10 hours of hearings in MN Senate Environment and Policy Committee the week of March 8.  The bill would have provided more specific, efficient financial assurance requirements than the untested 1993 rules for the non-ferrous (copper-nickel) mining industry, which has a much worse record of environmental and health damage and public liability for proper closure and post-closure care than iron mining.   The committee heard approximately  8 hours of presentations by MDNR, PolyMet Inc. and other opponents and approximately 2 hours of testimony by citizens and proponents of the bill, before it  was withdrawn by the chief author March 10, 2010 becaue there were no enought votes to pass the bill out of committee.  See WaterLegacy's testimony in the Senate.

• Before mining in northeastern Minnesota, dig up some answers   by Elanne Palcich, MPR Commentary, March 24, 2010.  Read  the unedited counterpoint to previous week's commentary, The world needs the metals of northeastern Minnesota   by Jim Miller, March 16, 2010. 

• EPA's very negative environmental rating for Polymet sulfide mining:  An exclusive interview with Regional National Environmental Policy Act Coordinator. Ken Westlake, the person responsible for the EPA letter  by Craig Stillmacher, the Update 

-House committee debates mine financial protections   by  Andrew Tellijohn, Bemidji Pioneer

- Duluth News Tribune: PolyMet environmental comments are online
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/162688/
- Hibbing Daily Tribune: PolyMet bill removed after long hearings
http://www.hibbingmn.com/articles/2010/03/12/news/doc4b99bf8741c1a017069...
- Pioneer Press: Mining 'damage deposits' put on hold
http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_14659635
- Timberjay: Bill for stricter financial assurance withdrawn
http://www.timberjay.com/detail/6663.html.
- Duluth News Tribune: Editorial: State's mining rules enough, but let conversation continue
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/162473/
- Duluth News Tribune: John C. Green: EPA's evaluation shows legislative action needed first
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/162475/group/News/
- Duluth News Tribune: Mining industry's view: Benefits are enormous, risks addressed
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/162474/
- Hibbing Daily Tribune: Lead agencies are there to ensure that the public's interest
http://www.hibbingmn.com/articles/2010/03/10/news/doc4b971874d682f229947...
- Mesabi Daily News: Agencies look to work with EPA on draft EIS
http://www.virginiamn.com/articles/2010/03/09/news/doc4b972cf01611128877...
- MPR: State considers tougher copper-nickel mining rules
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/03/10/copper-nickel-mi...
- Pioneer Press: Melander, Olson: Minnesota's mining standards are strict enough. Let's get on with it
http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_14642405
- WNMT: Lawmakers' Views On Minnesota Mining
http://new.wnmtradio.com/news/articles/2010/mar/08/lawmakers-views-minne...

In Minnesota, the Price of Metals is Damage to our Water     by C.A. Arneson, MinnPost   March 4, 2010

- Northland's News Center: Environmentalists Voice Support For Bill
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/86413277.html
- Duluth News Tribune: Editorial: PolyMet review: Working as intended
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/161266/group/News/
- Duluth News Tribune: Opinion:  Irresponsible to call mine project Nokomis’
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/161390/group/Opinion/
- Mesabi Daily News: Three hearings on PolyMet, mining set in St. Paul
http://www.virginiamn.com/articles/2010/02/25/news/doc4b875babd04b853636...
- Northland's NewsCenter: EPA Rates PolyMet's EIS Unsatisfactory
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/range11/85265192.html
- Pioneer Press: EPA condemns northeast Minnesota copper-nickel project
http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_14465701?source=rss
- Star Tribune: Nancy Schuldt and Paula Maccabee: PolyMet mine can't proceed as proposed
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/85429852.html?elr=KArksc8P...
- Star Tribune: Opinion: Reconsider Polymet — EPA review should trouble its supporters
http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/85263777.html?page=3&c=y(fifthletter)
- WTIP Radio: “Safe Mines” bill introduced in Minnesota legislature
http://www.wtip.org/drupal/content/%E2%80%9Csafe-mines%E2%80%9D-bill-int...

Public participation threatened:  WaterLegacy Calls for New Process to Restore “Public” and “Information” to the PolyMet Draft EIS Meeting Process.  December, 2009 

Media release:  PolyMet DEIS is wholly inadequate, summarizes missing pieces for public review and comment.  November 3, 2009

PolyMet takes next steps for controversial mine
by Stephanie Hemphill | October 23, 2009 | Minnesota Public Radio

Doubt remains about PolyMet environmental impact study
By: John Myers | October 18 2009 | Duluth News Tribune

Press release:  WaterLegacy Charges PolyMet Draft EIS Not Ready for Release – Cites U.S. EPA “Red Flags” on Inadequacy of Environmental Review   October 12, 2009    

Superior National Forest Hardrock Prospecting EIS scoping

This generic EIS would affect required protections of the environment on exploration sites across the majority of the public land in northern Minnesota.  The Forest Service is still acceptiong comments on their EIS scoping process.  More ... 

Minnesota's Dunka pit

Even though there are no metallic (copper or nickel) sulfide mines in Minnesota, we have our own acid mine drainage (AMD) or acid rock drainage (ARD) hot spot near Babbitt.   More ...

WATER, Culture, and the Public: A Participatory Exploration Scientists  April 20 - 21, 2009.  Policymakers and community members discussed critical issue dealing with water quality and supply while looking towards future challenges in an effort to create a positive agenda for water resources in Minnesota.   WaterLegacy participated in this collaborative effort to educate Minnesota's water ambassadors about the specific dangers of sulfide mining.