releases: http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fox-9-feds-deny-twin-metals-mine-lease-near-boundary-waters
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| http://nolan.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fox-9-feds-deny-twin-metals-mine-lease-near-boundary-waters | FOX 9: Feds deny Twin Metals mine lease near Boundary Waters | 2016-12-16 | 2016 | 2016-12 | Democrat | House | MN | Rick Nolan | N000127 | nolan.house.gov | legacy | MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture have denied an application for the renewal of two hard rock mineral leases in northern Minnesota. Twin Metals has proposed a copper-nickel mine near Ely, but the federal government determine the project poses too much of a risk to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called a “natural treasure.” "The Boundary Waters is a natural treasure, special to the 150,000 who canoe, fish, and recreate there each year, and is the economic life blood to local business that depend on a pristine natural resource," said Vilsack. "I have asked Interior to take a time out, conduct a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land next door to the Boundary Waters." USDA and the Department of the Interior cited “broad concerns from thousands of public comments” about the potential consequences of mining near the BWCA. The Forest Service cited the potential risk of contamination of the BWCA as a key concern, with the two mineral leases located within 3 miles of the BWCA. The Forest Service also submitted an application to the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw key portions of the watershed that flows into the BWCA from any new mineral permits and leases. In establishing the BWCA more than 50 years ago, Congress directed the Forest Service to maintain its water quality, protect its fish and wildlife, and minimize the environmental impacts associated with mineral development. The decision was immediately met with applause from conservationist with Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. "These actions happened because tens of thousands of people spoke up against locating a sulfide mine on the edge of America's most popular wilderness area," executive director Paul Danicic said in a statement. "We thank the U.S. Forest Service for listening to their concerns and making a decision that protects the Boundary Waters from Twin Metals' dangerous proposal. Now it's critical that everybody who cares for the Boundary Waters join us and show the federal government how many people support permanently protecting the Boundary Waters from sulfide mining pollution." Twin Metals has said it can mine in the region without damaging or contaminating the wilderness and has touted the hundreds of jobs the project could create. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |