State again delays decision on whether to lease private property to mining companies

Some residents were surprised and upset to learn that while they might own their land, they don’t own what’s under the surface. Laws dating to the 1870s allow the state to own the minerals under property owners' land. Gov. Dayton says the state is taking time out to reconsider the rules.

Author:
BMTN Staff
Updated:
Mar 8, 2018
Original:
Oct 6, 2011

Some residents were surprised and upset to learn that while they might own their land, they don’t own what’s under the surface. Laws dating to the 1870s allow the state to own the minerals under property owners' land. Gov. Dayton says the state is taking time out to reconsider the rules.

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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.

Some people in northern Minnesota are finding that while they own their homes and land, they don't necessarily own the minerals below. Now they're trying to stop state officials from giving mining companies the rights to drill on their property. The state routinely sells land while holding on to the mineral rights. Leasing those rights can bring the state tens of millions of dollars a year.

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.

Employees say problems at the hospital that treats dangerous mental patients have gotten worse under an administrator who started six months ago. They describe a tense and chaotic work environment that's led several psychiatrists to quit. A state official says the hospital is close to losing its license.

A representative who is hearing from worried constituents is asking the attorney general to issue an opinion on whether the state's eminent domain laws could be interpreted in landowners' favor.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Zellers sent an e-mail to colleagues saying a vote on a plan to finance a new stadium should wait until the 2012 regular session. But Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley says putting off legislative action could leave the team operating without a lease and add to the project's already hefty costs.

Counties in southwest Minnesota are seeing record land prices with rates expected to keep climbing. Officials say rural landowners should expect a 2012 property tax increase of 20 to 30 percent.

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