MN-04: Rep. McCollum is serious about protecting the BWCA

Among other things, both of Minnesota’s U.S. Senators have been trying to negotiate the safest possible political path on sulfide mining. Hopefully, maybe, this will get far enough to put them in a tough spot.

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum introduced legislation Wednesday to permanently ban copper, nickel and precious metals mining across more than 200,000 acres of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota.

The bill would forbid new mining operations within the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, including a project proposed by Twin Metals Minnesota, which last month submitted plans to state and federal regulators to open an underground copper-nickel mine outside Ely, and just a couple miles from the southern edge of the BWCA. - MPR

Here is a most excellent learning tool regarding the Twin Metals/Antofagasta proposal.

Minnesota will do its own Twin Metals review

From late last week:

Minnesota officials announced Friday that the state will conduct its own environmental review of a proposed copper-nickel mine, rather than join the federal government’s environmental assessment of the project that some say will pollute a pristine wilderness area.

The Department of Natural Resources said a separate process for preparing an environmental impact statement for the proposed Twin Metals mine near Ely will best ensure a credible and neutral review, an announcement that some project opponents said shows the state does not trust the federal government. - KTAR News

I don’t know if this is because those making the calls on this, here in Minnesota, really have serious issues with the whole Twin Metals thing. Or if they’re just looking for more cover, legal and political and whatever else. The answer to that should become apparent at some point.