June 9th, 2011 | 
AnonymousIt is critical that the U.S. Forest Service receive comments from members of the public to balance in industry interests. Even if citizens can’t stop all drilling, our prior experience shows that comments can affect the Forest Service process.
Tell the Forest Service their Draft EIS Inadequately Analyzes Harm to Water Quality and Sensitive Wetlands and Forests
There already has been extensive exploration for minerals in sulfide rock in Minnesota. See a map of drill sites.
Submit a comment NOW online addressing the main flaws, and customize as you wish.
Or print and distribute paper comment letters, writing additional comments on the back.
NOTE: To maximize your impact, customize your comments to tell why protecting the environment from damage by prospecting and mining activities in the Superior National Forest impacts you – for example, if you hunt, fish, camp or vacation, own property in the area, etc.
The DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS is JUNE 30, 2011.
Based on our review, WaterLegacy believes the following issues represent the most significant flaws in the Superior National Forest Prospecting Draft EIS
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to provide site-specific analysis of drilling impacts. This is a basic requirement for environmental review.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS relies on insufficient analysis of water quality impacts, water consumption, and other critical issues.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to consider alternatives needed to protect the Superior National Forest and the adjacent Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, such as limits on the season of drilling and limits on the density of impacts on resources.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to evaluate cumulative impacts from drilling, road construction and mining on other lands, including State and County leases, within the project area.
* The Prospecting Drat EIS provides inadequate monitoring and unenforceable conditions.
* In addition, we wonder why multinational corporations from other countries are allowed to take the valuable resources out of our state and leave the mess for us to clean up. If we are to mine in MN, let the revenue remain here!
Tell the U.S. Forest Service to place some limits on mining exploration plans that include drilling, roads into sensitive wetlands and forests, consumption of water resources, and use of polluting chemicals.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to provide site-specific analysis of drilling impacts. This is a basic requirement for environmental review.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS relies on insufficient analysis of water quality impacts, water consumption, and other critical issues.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to consider alternatives needed to protect the Superior National Forest and the adjacent Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, such as limits on the season of drilling and limits on the density of impacts on resources.
* The Prospecting Draft EIS fails to evaluate cumulative impacts from drilling, road construction and mining on other lands, including State and County leases, within the project area.
* The Prospecting Drat EIS provides inadequate monitoring and unenforceable conditions.
* In addition, we wonder why multinational corporations from other countries are allowed to take the valuable resources out of our state and leave the mess for us to clean up. If we are to mine in MN, let the revenue remain here!
Tell the U.S. Forest Service to place some limits on mining exploration plans that include drilling, roads into sensitive wetlands and forests, consumption of water resources, and use of polluting chemicals.
You can read, share, copy and paste to your own comments by the June 30 deadline
WaterLegacy's compete Prospecting DEIS comments.
WaterLegacy's compete Prospecting DEIS comments.
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June 22nd is Sulfide Mining Awareness Day
June 22nd is Sulfide Mining Awareness Day
WaterLegacy is collaborating with Friends of the Boundary Waters to promote Sulfide Mining Awareness Day on June 22. Talk with your friends, family, and neighbors about the dangers of sulfide mining and help them send a comment on the Hardrock Draft EIS if they haven't already. Help make sure our prized northern Minnesota lake district and Lake Superior are protected from toxic pollution and noise caused by prospecting and sulfide mining.
Check WaterLegacy.org or Friends-BWCA.org for more details!
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
* Review earlier “scoping” Comments on the prospecting proposal made by environmental groups before the DEIS was prepared ..
The Prospecting draft EIS contains the following provisions specifically requested by WaterLegacy in our earlier scoping comments:
- The DEIS specifically says that it doesn’t allow any drilling in the Boundary Waters, the Mining Protection Area near the Boundary Waters or designated research, unique biological or wild areas.
- The DEIS specifically states that it doesn’t allow any mining activities to start and that mining activities would require an additional environmental review.
- The DEIS includes tribal consultation and states that wild rice beds harvested by tribes can be Traditional Cultural Properties subject to legal protection;
- The DEIS includes some specific stipulations that must be met for any prospecting permit (although these conditions and their enforcement are far too weak).
Consistent with our prior request for a process that facilitates public participation, the U.S. Forest Service agreed with us to double the time allowed for public comment, resulting in the current June 30, 2011 deadline. Timely citizen input can make a positive difference. Read more about scoping comments submitted …
Friends of the Boundary Waters Scoping comments.
MCEA comments on Scoping of the EIS
* Learn more about Sulfide Mining in general ...
WaterLegacy's Sulfide Mining main menu
