St. Louis County Closer to Supporting National Forest Mining

Commission Approved Preliminary Resolution 4-3

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County commissioners are one step closer to approving a resolution in favor of copper mining in the Superior National Forest.

Commissioners heard arguments both for and against the resolution, which calls on the Trump administration to reverse President Obama’s decision to block copper mining in more than 234,000 acres of the forest.

Some, came from families steeped in mining tradition.

“I’m asking the commissioners to disregard some of the comments that are more like scare–mongering than actual facts, and to use the facts presented by the people who know mining,” said Mike Banovetz of Ely.  “Please look at the facts, let the experts do their job and let it come down to the final vote.”

Many opposed to the resolution, are concerned about the effect copper mining would have on the environment, specifically in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

“We are told that we have to choose between clean water and healthy economies,” said Jessie Carlson of Duluth.  “This fictional choice is dividing us, it making us enemies, and it is perpetuating a fictional narrative; protecting the environment must come at a cost of families and communities in Northern Minnesota.”

Tuesday’s preliminary vote passed by a 4–3 margin.  The final vote is next tuesday.