Wilderness News Online

Private Development with State Park?

As bonding to purchase land for the proposed Vermilion State Park was signed by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a St. Louis County official now wants the project to include private development.

Financial Assurance Bill Withdrawn

A bill in the Minnesota State Senate which could have raised the financial assurance requirements for non-ferrous mining companies in the state was withdrawn by its sponsor after lengthy hearings in St. Paul.

PolyMet Issues Come to State Capitol

Issues surrounding PolyMet Mining Company's proposed copper-nickel and precious metals mining operation near Babbitt, reached the Minnesota state capitol yesterday at a hearing of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Senate Committee to Consider PolyMet

Next week, the Minnesota Senate's Environment and Natural Resources Committee will hear testimony on issues surrounding PolyMet Mining Company's proposed NorthMet copper-nickel and precious metals mine.

Legislature Mulls PolyMet Assurances

Minnesota state legislators will soon consider bills which could raise the level of financial assurances required by PolyMet Mining Company in order to operate its proposed NorthMet copper-nickel mining operation near Babbitt.

Namakan Dam Comments Close Tomorrow

The comment period on the Draft Environmental Report for Ojibway Power and Energy Group's proposed hydroelectric project on the Namakan River west of Quetico Provincial Park closes tomorrow.

EPA Criticizes PolyMet Plans

The Environmental Protection Agency, noting more than two dozen inadequacies in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposedPolyMet copper-nickle mine, says the project should not go forward as planned.

Could Land Swap Hamstring PolyMet?

Could restrictions on the Superior National Forest land where PolyMet Mining wants to establish Minnesota's first copper-nickel mine stymie the company's plans to open its project in a timely fashion?

Friends of the BWCAW Criticizes PolyMet Plan

Citing "numerous serious flaws in the environmental review process and the project proposal," the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness called for no action to be taken to advance PolyMet Mining Company's proposed copper, nickel, and precious metals mine near Babbitt.

Deal Struck for Lake Vermilion Park

A deal to purchase 3000 acres of land abutting Lake Vermilion has been struck between the State of Minnesota and U.S. Steel Corporation, paving the way for what would be the state's first new State Park in 30 years.