Opponents seek review of state plan to auction mineral leases

Opponents of a state plan to auction off the mineral rights in three areas of northeastern Minnesota hope to force an environmental review. They'll file a petition Tuesday asking the DNR to study the effects of mineral prospecting in the areas. They say it could affect water quality and property values near the sites in St. Louis, Lake, and Aitkin Counties.

Author:
BMTN Staff
Updated:
Mar 8, 2018
Original:
Sep 24, 2012

Opponents of a state plan to auction off the mineral rights in three areas of northeastern Minnesota hope to force an environmental review. They'll file a petition Tuesday asking the DNR to study the effects of mineral prospecting in the areas. They say it could affect water quality and property values near the sites in St. Louis, Lake, and Aitkin Counties.

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The 21-year-old was reportedly experiencing 'mental health challenges' and allegedly had a knife when deputies opened fire.

88 S 11th St, Minneapolis, Minnesota - April 2022 (1)

It's the 56th death reported as a homicide in Minneapolis this year.

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Police claim the man, who had allegedly been experiencing a mental health crisis, was armed with a knife.

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The other drive involved in the crash, a 75-year-old man, sustained life-threatening injuries.

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The crash occurred in Lake Lillian Saturday night.

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Responders were called to the scene early Sunday morning.

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Employees called police saying the children were stealing goods from the store.

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Police and fire crews responded to the fire just before 9 a.m. Saturday.

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There have been reports of disabled traffic lights and issues at local businesses.

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Crockett made the comments in a 2020 radio interview following a ruling from the Minnesota Supreme Court.

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Gender Justice, the advocacy group that brought about the lawsuit, says it will appeal the decision.

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Nearby properties are being evacuated.

Environmental advocates in northeastern Minnesota plan to file a petition with the DNR on Tuesday, taking issue with the state's plans to auction off more metallic minerals exploration leases, the Associated Press reports. Critics fear new prospecting and mining could dramatically endanger the environment, including drinking water, trout streams and recreation trails. About 140 have signed it, but it wasn't immediately clear what effect the petition might have on the leasing process.

The Department of Natural Resources is auctioning rights to prospect and mine for metallic minerals on close to 64,000 acres in northeastern Minnesota, in Aitkiin, St. Louis and Lake counties, the Associated Press reports.

PolyMet Mining wants to open a copper and nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. The company has been working with the Environmental Protection Agency on how the project will meet air and water quality standards. Congressman Chip Cravaack says a supplemental environmental impact statement could be released to the public in October.

Company officials say they'll comply with federal emissions rules but say the state's environmental review process and mercury regulations would hold up construction for too long. They say that unless lawmakers cut the environmental review, they'll build the plant in a different state.

The Ramsey County Charter Commission nixed a proposal to let county residents vote on a proposed sales tax increase that would help pay for a new Vikings stadium. Now a group opposed to the tax say they'll start a petition.

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A review by the DOI found "significant legal deficiencies" with the leases' 2019 renewal.

Instead of waiving some environmental reviews, state lawmakers will offer to speed them up in hopes of luring Magnetation's iron pellet plant to northern Minnesota. The company is looking at building the plant in Wisconsin or Indiana to avoid a permitting process it considers strict and cumbersome.

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