New Mining Support Signs Are Available! Get your order in soon!
Yard signs will be available for purchase only until July 16.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Betsy Daub On Copper Nickel Mining - "Friends Of The Boundary Waters" - "It's never been done before safely"
Commentary:
Perhaps this should have been titled: "It's About The Fundraising!"
According to Betsy Daub, copper nickel mining has never been done before safely. Perhaps it's time to start working with projects to make them better rather than worrying about fundraising and the "Friends" bottom line. We all promote minerals mining when we pick up our phone, buy a car, wire our house or have any other modern day appliance. To think otherwise is hypocritical Betsy. Have a look at the links below, someone is barking up the wrong tree on this one once again.
"These types of mines have always polluted their nearby waters. Every place they've been done in the country. These are high risk polluting mines that we are now talking about putting near places that Minnesotans care a whole lot about."
Betsy Daub: Friends the Boundary Waters Wilderness, Copper Nickel Mining Discussion, April 9, 2013.
____________________________
Research the information below for yourself, one might conclude it is all about fundraising and not modern day reality in mining. This project was reclaimed successfully.
JUDGE FINDS FLAMBEAU MINING CO.
COMMITTED TO “PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PRESERVATION OF WATER QUALITY”
Contrary to public statements made by the plaintiffs,
Judge Crabb found that no harm was done to the Flambeau River. She stated “Plaintiffs cannot make a plausible argument that the quality of the water in the river is affected by the discharges from the biofilter. They can continue to enjoy the river for fishing, recreation and wildlife viewing without any concern for the river’s water quality resulting from biofilter discharges, not only because the biofilter is being replaced but because it never threatened the river’s water quality during the period at issue in this suit.”
http://www.flambeaumine.com/documents/news_releases/JUDGE%20FINDING%20News%20Release%20July%2025%202012.pdf
http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Mines/Flambeau.html
Reclaimed Mine Photos:
http://www.flambeaumine.com/photogallery/communityevents/photogallery.html
http://www.flambeaumine.com/index.html
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Mining And Environmental Groups Need To Partner - Nancy McReady
Our
communities around the Boundary Waters are dying, or at best hanging on
with life support. As proof, look at the empty storefronts, decreased
school enrollments, decaying buildings and infrastructure due to a low tax base. We need good paying jobs and young families on the Iron Range.
Wouldn’t it be great if so-called environmental groups worked with mining companies to bring good paying jobs to the Iron Range rather than working against them?
Out in Montana, three local environmental groups have signed an agreement to work out their differences in the open and also apply strict environmental practices to the mining operation in North Stillwater. They have recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Stillwater Good Neighbor Agreement that keeps disputes out of the courts while protecting Montana’s watersheds.
There is a similar alliance in Pennsylvania between gas and oil companies working together with national and regional environmental groups to create tough new standards for fracking.
This agreement has been criticized by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Yet the Sierra Club and other environmental groups have no problem partnering with labor unions with the BlueGreen Alliance.
In Minnesota, the BlueGreen Alliance is working to expand solar capacity and retrofit public schools, libraries and state-owned buildings, all with a goal of improving the state's competitiveness and creating good Minnesota jobs. But what are they doing to help taconite plants or to move the precious metal mining forward? Nothing!
No one denies tourism is good for Minnesota, and the Boundary Waters is a big reason why. But, tourism isn't enough to provide good paying jobs to support a family.
Mining is very important to northeastern Minnesota, too. Environmental groups would be wise to work with the mining companies to assure all mining is done safely and protects the Boundary Waters rather than constantly delaying mining project by going to the courts. With new technology, we can mine responsibly and protect our environment.
Wouldn’t it be great if so-called environmental groups worked with mining companies to bring good paying jobs to the Iron Range rather than working against them?
Out in Montana, three local environmental groups have signed an agreement to work out their differences in the open and also apply strict environmental practices to the mining operation in North Stillwater. They have recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Stillwater Good Neighbor Agreement that keeps disputes out of the courts while protecting Montana’s watersheds.
There is a similar alliance in Pennsylvania between gas and oil companies working together with national and regional environmental groups to create tough new standards for fracking.
This agreement has been criticized by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups. Yet the Sierra Club and other environmental groups have no problem partnering with labor unions with the BlueGreen Alliance.
In Minnesota, the BlueGreen Alliance is working to expand solar capacity and retrofit public schools, libraries and state-owned buildings, all with a goal of improving the state's competitiveness and creating good Minnesota jobs. But what are they doing to help taconite plants or to move the precious metal mining forward? Nothing!
No one denies tourism is good for Minnesota, and the Boundary Waters is a big reason why. But, tourism isn't enough to provide good paying jobs to support a family.
Mining is very important to northeastern Minnesota, too. Environmental groups would be wise to work with the mining companies to assure all mining is done safely and protects the Boundary Waters rather than constantly delaying mining project by going to the courts. With new technology, we can mine responsibly and protect our environment.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Precious Waters - Friends of the Boundary Waters Director lacking knowledge and workable solutions.
Excellent article in the Ely Echo analyzing Friends Of The Boundary Waters Director Reid Carron's recent letter to the editor in the Ely Echo.
LETTER: ... As long as the population of the world continues to grow, so does the demand for raw materials
http://www.elyecho.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=12599&SectionID=17&SubSectionID=34
LETTER: ... As long as the population of the world continues to grow, so does the demand for raw materials
http://www.elyecho.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=12599&SectionID=17&SubSectionID=34
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
The Important Of Minnesota Mining
The
challenge for this region and state is to continue to educate other
individuals as to the reality of current advanced mining technologies
and potential economic improvement for this region in addition to a
service and tourism based economy. It is an all of the above approach
economy. Mining will be done in an environmentally safe and sustainable
manner. It will take time and work in many media oulets to educate
towards this reality but it can be done at a grassroots level. It is one
way to educate beyond the misinformation readily distributed in an
organized media campaign by extremist and alarmist groups. We all use
the products produced from minerals mining. Common examples of this are
the computer, cell phones and motor vehicles among a few. To think that
we do not need mining is at best hypocritical. It is a not in my back
yard approach by some. We can best oversee environmental stewardship
with the multiple checks and regulatory environment that exist already.
This often does not occur in other countries so indeed we are being
responsible globally by mining here.
Full Article Here:
http://northeastrange.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/letter-to-the-editor-the-important-of-minnesota-mining/
Full Article Here:
http://northeastrange.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/letter-to-the-editor-the-important-of-minnesota-mining/
Thursday, January 03, 2013
Spectrum Health Open House
IRRRB Photos from the Spectrum Health Open House in Babbitt, Minnesota.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.398869010189482.92498.104959586247094&type=1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.398869010189482.92498.104959586247094&type=1
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Minnesota 8th District Candidate Rick Nolan - Picking Winners And Losers
EPA rules don't make a difference? How it affects power and mining.
Here is how a vote might make a difference in Minnesota in regards to your current or future line of employment: Electric plants in the Northland produce electricity for our mining industry in this area and provide local jobs.
Hoyt Lakes Mayor Marlene Pospeck said she is equally concerned about the state Public Utilities Commission’s threat to close Minnesota Power’s Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes and Taconite Harbor Energy Center by 2016.
http://www.looktruenorth.com/72-elections/us-congressional/20250-nolan-will-fight-for-mining-jobs-who-knew.html
The closing would affect 40 jobs in Hoyt Lakes. And Pospeck said it would have a devastating effect on the city’s property taxes. “Laskin is about 70 percent of Hoyt Lakes’ tax base,” she said.
Those seem to be real jobs we are talking about here.
The state Commerce Department, which intervenes in utility cases, has urged the PUC to require Minnesota Power to shut down by 2017 both units of its Laskin Energy Center and one of three units at its Taconite Harbor Energy Center, and replace their power with new wind farms and natural gas-fired power plants.
But the Duluth-based utility, whose 144,000 customers in central and northeast Minnesota include the power-thirsty mining industry, says the three generators still produce power economically and that the idea of retiring them needs far more study. The three units represent about 13 percent of the utility's coal-based generating capacity.
http://www.startribune.com/business/165526916.html?refer=y
How about the mining industry?
Will there be the jobs if these regulations (BART) are implemented? Does it make some operations cost prohibitive to continue? Good questions, have a look at the Tilden Mine in Michigan for a cost to industry to get an idea of how this would effect mining facilities. It appears to be 35 - 38 Million at that facility along with annual costs.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; States of Minnesota and Michigan; Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan
Full Report Link:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-15/pdf/2012-19789.pdf
The PCA rules approved in April were looser than the state agency's staff originally proposed. They were eased after Cliffs Natural Resources officials said the Hibbing Taconite and United Taconite plants would have trouble complying with proposed nitrogen oxide limits. Critics have said that any tougher haze rules could hurt the state's taconite industry, even forcing some lower-margin operations to close.
Does this sound like it might affect some jobs?
But those tougher limits are now back on the plate, and supporters say the EPA was forced to act because Minnesota regulators "shirked their responsibility."
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21338933/iron-range-epa-calls-tougher-air-pollution-rules
Who does this affect regionally?
Minnesota .... U.S. Steel, Minntac .......................................... Grate-Kiln Lines 3–7.
Minnesota. Northshore Mining Company-Straight-Grate Furnaces 11 and 12.
Minnesota . United Taconite ................................ Grate-Kiln Lines 1 and 2.
Minnesota... ArcelorMittal Steel ............................................ 1 Straight-Grate.
Minnesota ... Hibbing Taconite .......................... Straight-Grate Lines 1–3.
Minnesota.... U.S. Steel, Keetac ........................................... 1 Grate-Kiln.
Michigan..... Tilden Mining .................................................... Grate-Kiln Line 1.
Some estimated costs:
Cost of Control
Minntac estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs on Lines 3, 4, and 5 to be between $20,000 and $24,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber on these lines was estimated to be between $14,000 and $16,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs on Lines 6 and 7 was estimated to be approximately $18,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber on these lines was estimated to be between approximately $12,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
ArcelorMittal estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs to be about $116,000 per ton of SO2 removed.The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be approximately $83,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
Northshore estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating secondary WWESPs ranged from roughly $180,000 to $540,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be between $140,000 and $420,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
Hibbing estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs to be about $37,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost ofinstalling and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be between $57,000 and $67,000 per ton of SO2 removed. Given the space limitations and equipment additions that would be required to modify the existing wet scrubber, Hibbing determined that it would be more cost effective toconstruct a new, secondary scrubber; therefore, no cost estimate was provided for modifications to the existing wet scrubber.
The following table illustrates the SO2 emission reductions projected by Tilden with the technically feasible technologies.
TABLE V–B.37—PROJECTED ANNUAL SO2 EMISSION REDUCTIONS
SDA 90 0.03 $38,403,000
Wet Scrubber 80 0.05 7,448,000
WWESP 80 0.05 15,733,000
Dry Scrubber 55 0.11 35,381,000
More Information:
Potential Impacts of the Federal Regional Haze and Best Available Retrofit Technology
Rules on the Taconite Industry in Minnesota
Final Report for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
September 30, 2003
Barr Engineering Company
Project No. 23/62-833
CFMS Contract No. A45712
Report from 2003:
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document.html?gid=2235
(See Attachments I through M for annualized cost figures:)
Minnesota Regional Haze Plan - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/air/air-quality-and-pollutants/general-air-quality/state-implementation-plan/minnesota-regional-haze-plan.html
We end up with this quote from Candidate Rick Nolan in the eigth congressional district of Minnesota.
Rick Nolan: "These [EPA] rules and regulations are not job killers. Quite frankly, they are job creators.”
How so Rick, one industry like wind energy wins, while others in Minnesota who work in these industries lose miserably in the end?? Are you supporting all of the people and jobs in the 8th district Rick and would you be acting responsibly if you were given the chance? Minnesota's mining industry is ranked number one in gross product output - adding more than $3.1 billion annually to the regional economy. Why should we throw this industry away?
http://www.taconite.org/campaign.php
Rather than a win lose approach promoted by Rick Nolan and the democratic party leadership, wouldn't we be better off with a win win approach using all of our natural resources in an effective and common sense manner that allows our business to stay in business? This is after all, real jobs we are talking about now.
Oh, but Rick would support us anyhow right? Lets have a look at the last pretty much party line vote on the land exchange to support our school children in all of Minnesota.
So, how did the parties vote?
House Vote 568 - H.R.5544: On Passage
Mainly Republican For And Democratic Against.
http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/2/568
Rick is a good democratic trooper along with the best or worst of them. You can count on his vote against the people,communities and jobs of Minnesota.
Let's just not allow that failure to occur.
Here is how a vote might make a difference in Minnesota in regards to your current or future line of employment: Electric plants in the Northland produce electricity for our mining industry in this area and provide local jobs.
Hoyt Lakes Mayor Marlene Pospeck said she is equally concerned about the state Public Utilities Commission’s threat to close Minnesota Power’s Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes and Taconite Harbor Energy Center by 2016.
http://www.looktruenorth.com/72-elections/us-congressional/20250-nolan-will-fight-for-mining-jobs-who-knew.html
The closing would affect 40 jobs in Hoyt Lakes. And Pospeck said it would have a devastating effect on the city’s property taxes. “Laskin is about 70 percent of Hoyt Lakes’ tax base,” she said.
Those seem to be real jobs we are talking about here.
The state Commerce Department, which intervenes in utility cases, has urged the PUC to require Minnesota Power to shut down by 2017 both units of its Laskin Energy Center and one of three units at its Taconite Harbor Energy Center, and replace their power with new wind farms and natural gas-fired power plants.
But the Duluth-based utility, whose 144,000 customers in central and northeast Minnesota include the power-thirsty mining industry, says the three generators still produce power economically and that the idea of retiring them needs far more study. The three units represent about 13 percent of the utility's coal-based generating capacity.
http://www.startribune.com/business/165526916.html?refer=y
How about the mining industry?
Will there be the jobs if these regulations (BART) are implemented? Does it make some operations cost prohibitive to continue? Good questions, have a look at the Tilden Mine in Michigan for a cost to industry to get an idea of how this would effect mining facilities. It appears to be 35 - 38 Million at that facility along with annual costs.
Approval and Promulgation of Implementation Plans; States of Minnesota and Michigan; Regional Haze Federal Implementation Plan
Full Report Link:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-15/pdf/2012-19789.pdf
The PCA rules approved in April were looser than the state agency's staff originally proposed. They were eased after Cliffs Natural Resources officials said the Hibbing Taconite and United Taconite plants would have trouble complying with proposed nitrogen oxide limits. Critics have said that any tougher haze rules could hurt the state's taconite industry, even forcing some lower-margin operations to close.
Does this sound like it might affect some jobs?
But those tougher limits are now back on the plate, and supporters say the EPA was forced to act because Minnesota regulators "shirked their responsibility."
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21338933/iron-range-epa-calls-tougher-air-pollution-rules
Who does this affect regionally?
Minnesota .... U.S. Steel, Minntac .......................................... Grate-Kiln Lines 3–7.
Minnesota. Northshore Mining Company-Straight-Grate Furnaces 11 and 12.
Minnesota . United Taconite ................................ Grate-Kiln Lines 1 and 2.
Minnesota... ArcelorMittal Steel ............................................ 1 Straight-Grate.
Minnesota ... Hibbing Taconite .......................... Straight-Grate Lines 1–3.
Minnesota.... U.S. Steel, Keetac ........................................... 1 Grate-Kiln.
Michigan..... Tilden Mining .................................................... Grate-Kiln Line 1.
Some estimated costs:
Cost of Control
Minntac estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs on Lines 3, 4, and 5 to be between $20,000 and $24,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber on these lines was estimated to be between $14,000 and $16,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs on Lines 6 and 7 was estimated to be approximately $18,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber on these lines was estimated to be between approximately $12,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
ArcelorMittal estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs to be about $116,000 per ton of SO2 removed.The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be approximately $83,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
Northshore estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating secondary WWESPs ranged from roughly $180,000 to $540,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost of installing and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be between $140,000 and $420,000 per ton of SO2 removed.
Cost of Control
Hibbing estimated the annualized pollution control cost of installing and operating WWESPs to be about $37,000 per ton of SO2 removed. The cost ofinstalling and operating a secondary wet scrubber was estimated to be between $57,000 and $67,000 per ton of SO2 removed. Given the space limitations and equipment additions that would be required to modify the existing wet scrubber, Hibbing determined that it would be more cost effective toconstruct a new, secondary scrubber; therefore, no cost estimate was provided for modifications to the existing wet scrubber.
The following table illustrates the SO2 emission reductions projected by Tilden with the technically feasible technologies.
TABLE V–B.37—PROJECTED ANNUAL SO2 EMISSION REDUCTIONS
SDA 90 0.03 $38,403,000
Wet Scrubber 80 0.05 7,448,000
WWESP 80 0.05 15,733,000
Dry Scrubber 55 0.11 35,381,000
More Information:
Potential Impacts of the Federal Regional Haze and Best Available Retrofit Technology
Rules on the Taconite Industry in Minnesota
Final Report for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
September 30, 2003
Barr Engineering Company
Project No. 23/62-833
CFMS Contract No. A45712
Report from 2003:
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/view-document.html?gid=2235
(See Attachments I through M for annualized cost figures:)
Minnesota Regional Haze Plan - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/air/air-quality-and-pollutants/general-air-quality/state-implementation-plan/minnesota-regional-haze-plan.html
We end up with this quote from Candidate Rick Nolan in the eigth congressional district of Minnesota.
Rick Nolan: "These [EPA] rules and regulations are not job killers. Quite frankly, they are job creators.”
How so Rick, one industry like wind energy wins, while others in Minnesota who work in these industries lose miserably in the end?? Are you supporting all of the people and jobs in the 8th district Rick and would you be acting responsibly if you were given the chance? Minnesota's mining industry is ranked number one in gross product output - adding more than $3.1 billion annually to the regional economy. Why should we throw this industry away?
http://www.taconite.org/campaign.php
Rather than a win lose approach promoted by Rick Nolan and the democratic party leadership, wouldn't we be better off with a win win approach using all of our natural resources in an effective and common sense manner that allows our business to stay in business? This is after all, real jobs we are talking about now.
Oh, but Rick would support us anyhow right? Lets have a look at the last pretty much party line vote on the land exchange to support our school children in all of Minnesota.
So, how did the parties vote?
House Vote 568 - H.R.5544: On Passage
Mainly Republican For And Democratic Against.
http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/house/2/568
Rick is a good democratic trooper along with the best or worst of them. You can count on his vote against the people,communities and jobs of Minnesota.
Let's just not allow that failure to occur.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Minnesota Politics In The 8th District, Democratic Party Memory Loss At Large
There are a some good stories to have a chuckle with in the 8th district this year regarding how politicians change their tune to fit the situation.
First up would be Jeff Anderson's post primary support of Rick Nolan. Here is this story from the Princeton Union Eagle during the democratic primaries.
http://unioneagle.com/2012/06/former-duluth-concilor-in-three-way-primary-race/
Anderson argues that he, among the DFL candidates, best matches up with Cravaack on the issue of mining — Cravaack has become a very pro-mining congressman, Anderson said.
“I know we’ve mined for a 130 years and I want to see us mine for another 130 years,” Anderson said.
“I want to see us do it safely, I want us to do it the right way,” he said.
“And I believe we can,” he said.
Now I like Jeff in general, he is local and has a good understanding of the area. Too bad he didn't win the primary as he was a viable candidate if a person looks at things from the democratic perspective.
Jeff's take on Nolan during the primaries:
Full Article:
http://www.virginiamn.com/news/article_b5f33326-d152-11e1-848b-001a4bcf887a.html
Anderson argues Nolan is out-of-step with the times.
“A very nice man,” Anderson said of Nolan.
But two years ago voters rejected a Democratic congressman, former Congressman James Oberstar, who was first elected in 1974, explained Anderson.
Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson last week challenged his two opponents to take a definitive stand on a recently-passed House measure, which he supports, that would accelerate the permitting process and also delay a decision on a permanent sulfate standard until a Minnesota study is completed. An amendment to that bill, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2012, to speed up the permitting process was steered through by Cravaack.
So how have things changed for Jeff since:
He is definitely standing behind his man in his series of Facebook photo shots.
https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos_stream
https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos
So who exactly is the man he is standing behind? If his previous words are any indication I'd have to go with Congressman Cravaack on this one as his views seem to align more with him than Rick Nolan. ????? Strangely, that does look like Rick Nolan in those photos though.
Jeff should have stuck to his guns, I can't blame him though being a career democratic politician. Guess he is hoping everyone has a short memory about what he did support and who was in touch on things...
Moving along we have Tom Rukavina:
He stands behind his man with this video: He even uses the good old Packsacker insult to indicate that Congressman Chip just isn't one of us. He seems to conveniently forget all the good things Cravaack has done for economic development in this region it seems.
But how do his ideologies stack up with Chip Cravaack? Have a look at this editorial excerpt:
http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=13865
Chip Cravaack’s legislation mirrored the bill that Gov. Dayton signed into law. In fact, Chip’s legislation includes this language:
And then we have this opinion from Tom in the Timberjay, a little paper up north where he straightens out a environmental extremist :http://www.timberjay.com/stories/Rangers-dont-want-to-become-sherpas,10578
Next, let’s talk about this absurd statement in Mr. Carron’s letter claiming the bill is “a giveaway to multinational mining companies.” The 93,000 acres of school and University trust land in the BWCAW will become federal land, and the 93,000 acres of federal land in the Mesabi Purchase portion of the Superior National Forest will become state trust land and will be managed in perpetuity to raise income for public education. What bogeyman do you see under your bed here, Mr. Carron? An acre for acre exchange where state land becomes federal land and federal land becomes state land will result in no net loss of public ownership. Why is this such a hard concept for the environmental community to grasp? It certainly isn’t a giveaway to any mining company.
Ely, tower, Winton, Cook Grand Rapids, and the North Shore couldn’t exist without our taconite industry. And the truth is, we are currently mining in the Superior National Forest, and we haven’t harmed it, have we? Minntac, Arcelor Mittal, North Shore Mining, and Mesabi Nugget are all currently operating in the Superior National Forest and it’s their taconite taxes that keep all our communities, including Duluth, alive.
Tom just doesn't seem to agree with the environmentalists that control the Twin Cities led DFL party and the ideology behind that group. The environmentalists want de facto wilderness in Northern Minnesota whether it is called that or not. No mining at all is their intent even if it can be done safely.
You probably won't see this link on the extremist websites:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/polymet-reports-successful-water-treatment-121101047.html
The NorthMet Project''s potential impact on water quality is a key issue in the environmental review and permitting process. The successful pilot plant test is a significant accomplishment, demonstrating that water with elevated sulfate levels can be treated to meet Minnesota''s 10 parts-per-million sulfate standard for waters used for the production of wild rice.
Here is the environmental statement from Rick Nolan's political website who is a product of the Minnesota democratic party machine: http://nolanforcongress.org/issues
The Environment
The environment, our air, lakes, rivers and forests, are crucial to our 8th district economy. The degradation of our air and water, along with global warming, threaten the very survival of our species here on mother earth. We must protect the environment in order to preserve our way of life and our tourism industry.
This sounds all good and nice doesn't it? It is simply a wink and a nod to the environmental extremists that he will back them in all future legislation.
So if Rick Nolan is to protect the workers in Minnesota they have to have jobs don't they? Seems he kind of forgot about that simple detail. It seems that we should spend 250$ Million to make up for that lack of understanding and as a sideline note, kill any mining and job projects by studying them to death.
How in the end do Tom Rukavina and Jeff Anderson support Rick Nolan.? Not very well it would seem as it looks as though they agree more with Chip Cravaack on what is important to this region.
First up would be Jeff Anderson's post primary support of Rick Nolan. Here is this story from the Princeton Union Eagle during the democratic primaries.
http://unioneagle.com/2012/06/former-duluth-concilor-in-three-way-primary-race/
Anderson argues that he, among the DFL candidates, best matches up with Cravaack on the issue of mining — Cravaack has become a very pro-mining congressman, Anderson said.
“I know we’ve mined for a 130 years and I want to see us mine for another 130 years,” Anderson said.
“I want to see us do it safely, I want us to do it the right way,” he said.
“And I believe we can,” he said.
Now I like Jeff in general, he is local and has a good understanding of the area. Too bad he didn't win the primary as he was a viable candidate if a person looks at things from the democratic perspective.
Jeff's take on Nolan during the primaries:
Full Article:
http://www.virginiamn.com/news/article_b5f33326-d152-11e1-848b-001a4bcf887a.html
Anderson argues Nolan is out-of-step with the times.
“A very nice man,” Anderson said of Nolan.
But two years ago voters rejected a Democratic congressman, former Congressman James Oberstar, who was first elected in 1974, explained Anderson.
Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson last week challenged his two opponents to take a definitive stand on a recently-passed House measure, which he supports, that would accelerate the permitting process and also delay a decision on a permanent sulfate standard until a Minnesota study is completed. An amendment to that bill, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2012, to speed up the permitting process was steered through by Cravaack.
On Wednesday, party-endorsed Rick Nolan of the Brainerd area
said he would not have voted for the measure. “If the bill was for the
purpose of expediting the process I’d be very supportive. But it would
gut health and safety standards,” he said.
Anderson said both Nolan and Clark are badly out of touch on the copper/nickel/precious metals issue.
“The question is simple. Do Rick Nolan and/or Tarryl Clark
believe that we need to streamline the permitting processes and
normalize the allowable sulfate discharge levels, or do they not?
“One answer will create jobs. The other will allow them to
continue pandering on this vitally important issue,” Anderson said
Wednesday.
Cravaack's take on things?
Cravaack's take on things?
“The bill only waives federal permitting standards when the
state standards for permitting exceed the federal standards, thus
eliminating extremely time consuming duplication. If state standards
already in place exceed federal standards, a waiver could be granted,” a
Cravaack spokesman said on Wednesday. In addition, a news release from
Cravaack’s office last week said:
“H.R. 4402 maintains full compliance with existing environmental
regulations. The bill gives the lead agency the ability to waive
duplication if the agency determines the state and federal safeguards
are sufficient. Specifically, all existing environmental regulations
must meet current federal standards, although certain state standards
currently exceed federal standards. In such instances, the federal
permitting process could be waved to avoid duplication.”
So how have things changed for Jeff since:
He is definitely standing behind his man in his series of Facebook photo shots.
https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos_stream
https://www.facebook.com/JeffAndersonMN/photos
So who exactly is the man he is standing behind? If his previous words are any indication I'd have to go with Congressman Cravaack on this one as his views seem to align more with him than Rick Nolan. ????? Strangely, that does look like Rick Nolan in those photos though.
Jeff should have stuck to his guns, I can't blame him though being a career democratic politician. Guess he is hoping everyone has a short memory about what he did support and who was in touch on things...
Moving along we have Tom Rukavina:
He stands behind his man with this video: He even uses the good old Packsacker insult to indicate that Congressman Chip just isn't one of us. He seems to conveniently forget all the good things Cravaack has done for economic development in this region it seems.
But how do his ideologies stack up with Chip Cravaack? Have a look at this editorial excerpt:
http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=13865
Chip Cravaack’s legislation mirrored the bill that Gov. Dayton signed into law. In fact, Chip’s legislation includes this language:
“(7) The Legislature of the State of Minnesota, meeting in its 87th Legislative Session, passed (and on April 27, 2012, the Governor of Minnesota approved) S.F No. 1750 (Chapter 236), section 4 of which adds section 92.80 to the Minnesota Statutes to expedite the exchange of a portion of the State trust lands located within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.Tom Rukavina voted for S.F.1750. Chip Cravaack authored legislation that made S.F.1750 federal law.
(b) LAND EXCHANGE REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall consummate a land exchange with the State of Minnesota pursuant to section 4 of S.F No. 1750 (Chapter 236) of the Legislature of the State of Minnesota (section 92.80 of the Minnesota Statutes) to acquire all right, title, and interest of the State in and to certain State trust lands identified as provided in such section in exchange for all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to National Forest System land in the State for inclusion in the State trust lands.
And then we have this opinion from Tom in the Timberjay, a little paper up north where he straightens out a environmental extremist :http://www.timberjay.com/stories/Rangers-dont-want-to-become-sherpas,10578
Next, let’s talk about this absurd statement in Mr. Carron’s letter claiming the bill is “a giveaway to multinational mining companies.” The 93,000 acres of school and University trust land in the BWCAW will become federal land, and the 93,000 acres of federal land in the Mesabi Purchase portion of the Superior National Forest will become state trust land and will be managed in perpetuity to raise income for public education. What bogeyman do you see under your bed here, Mr. Carron? An acre for acre exchange where state land becomes federal land and federal land becomes state land will result in no net loss of public ownership. Why is this such a hard concept for the environmental community to grasp? It certainly isn’t a giveaway to any mining company.
Ely, tower, Winton, Cook Grand Rapids, and the North Shore couldn’t exist without our taconite industry. And the truth is, we are currently mining in the Superior National Forest, and we haven’t harmed it, have we? Minntac, Arcelor Mittal, North Shore Mining, and Mesabi Nugget are all currently operating in the Superior National Forest and it’s their taconite taxes that keep all our communities, including Duluth, alive.
Tom just doesn't seem to agree with the environmentalists that control the Twin Cities led DFL party and the ideology behind that group. The environmentalists want de facto wilderness in Northern Minnesota whether it is called that or not. No mining at all is their intent even if it can be done safely.
You probably won't see this link on the extremist websites:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/polymet-reports-successful-water-treatment-121101047.html
The NorthMet Project''s potential impact on water quality is a key issue in the environmental review and permitting process. The successful pilot plant test is a significant accomplishment, demonstrating that water with elevated sulfate levels can be treated to meet Minnesota''s 10 parts-per-million sulfate standard for waters used for the production of wild rice.
Here is the environmental statement from Rick Nolan's political website who is a product of the Minnesota democratic party machine: http://nolanforcongress.org/issues
The Environment
The environment, our air, lakes, rivers and forests, are crucial to our 8th district economy. The degradation of our air and water, along with global warming, threaten the very survival of our species here on mother earth. We must protect the environment in order to preserve our way of life and our tourism industry.
This sounds all good and nice doesn't it? It is simply a wink and a nod to the environmental extremists that he will back them in all future legislation.
So if Rick Nolan is to protect the workers in Minnesota they have to have jobs don't they? Seems he kind of forgot about that simple detail. It seems that we should spend 250$ Million to make up for that lack of understanding and as a sideline note, kill any mining and job projects by studying them to death.
How in the end do Tom Rukavina and Jeff Anderson support Rick Nolan.? Not very well it would seem as it looks as though they agree more with Chip Cravaack on what is important to this region.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Tom Rukavina, State Representative District 5A Letter on BWCA/state/federal land exchange
September 24, 2012
To the Editor:
I see one of our new immigrants to Ely,
Mr. Reid Carron, is putting out more misinformation on the proposed
BWCA/state/federal land exchange. Let me enlighten your readers.
First, Mr. Carron states “current law
adequately provides for dealing with school trust lands, no
additional legislation is necessary”. If so, I ask Mr. Carron why,
after 35 years, has no exchange taken place? I’ll tell you my
opinion why, because the Feds, DNR, and most environmental
organizations have never wanted an exchange. It’s too big a
headache for the Feds and the DNR. And, as for the
environmentalists, the real truth is that they don’t want federal
land to become state land because they know they’ll have a tougher
time suing in state court than in federal court, over activities they
don’t like, such as logging, snowmobiling, and ATV use.
Next, let’s look at Mr. Carron’s
claim that school trust money is “miniscule”. Every year, the
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Anoka-Hennepin School Districts get over $1
million each from that fund. Good management of the timber resources
alone from this exchanged land could and should increase those
figures exponentially. Maybe $1 million a year is miniscule to Mr.
Carron. But to this old, tired, 3rd generation Ranger,
that’s still real money.
Now, let’s talk about this absurd
statement in Mr. Carron’s letter claiming the bill is “a giveaway
to multinational mining companies”. The 93,000 acres of school and
University trust land in the BWCA will become federal land, and the
93,000 acres of federal land in the Mesabi Purchase portion of the
Superior National Forest (that’s the unattached portion of the
Superior National Forest that runs from north of Biwabik all the way
to north of Hibbing) will become state trust land and will be managed
in perpetuity to raise income for public education. What bogeyman do
you see under your bed here, Mr. Carron? An acre for acre exchange
where state land becomes federal land and federal land becomes state
land will result in no net loss of public ownership. Why is this
such a hard concept for the environmental community to grasp?
Because, it certainly isn’t a giveaway to any mining company.
Next, let’s talk about Mr. Carron’s
claim that “Ely area residents . . . will lose scores of thousands
of acres of Superior National Forest land that are now available for
hunting, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, and many other
recreational pursuits”. While many of the “old immigrants”
from the Ely and Tower area must be thinking that you’re talking
about the
To the Editor
September 24, 2012
Page Two
original Boundary Waters Act, Mr.
Carron, let me assure them that for you to say this about the
proposed land exchange bill is an absolute lie. In fact, Ely and
Tower area residents will have an easier time recreating on the new
state land. But that’s really why you and other environmentalists
oppose this bill, isn’t it? Because you know it will be easier to
put a snowmobile trail or cut down a tree on state land than on
federal land.
Mr. Carron, your letter was, to put it
in Range-speak, just a bunch of BS. To imply that any member of the
Iron Range Delegation is supporting this legislation because we are
stoolies for “multinational mining companies” is nuts. I will
never forget the way my father and grandfather were treated by the
Oliver Iron Mining Company (while you on the other hand don’t even
know what the Oliver Iron Mining Company is). So let me tell you,
Mr. Carron, that I am always going to be on the side of the miners
and our mining communities, and not your “multinational mining
companies”. And while I am no economic genius, I know that without
mining and mining companies we have no Iron Range.
So, Mr. Carron, as I’ve said before
and I’ll say many times again, Ely, Tower, Winton, Cook, Grand
Rapids, and the North Shore couldn’t exist without our taconite
industry. And the ugly truth, which the Friends of the BWCA, Sierra
Club, etc. fail to acknowledge is that we are currently mining and
logging in the Superior National Forest, and we haven’t harmed it,
have we, Mr. Carron? Minntac, Arcelor Mittal, North Shore Mining,
and Mesabi Nugget are all currently operating in the Superior
National Forest and it’s their taconite taxes that keep all our
communities, including Duluth, alive.
So in ending, Mr. Carron, while you’re
worried about the Range turning into a “Banana Republic”, I’m
worrying about a bunch of hypocritical environmentalists who want to
turn our proud, productive, mining-based Iron Range into a Bangladesh
where we can all be “sherpas” carrying bags and canoes for
tourists, and existing on their tips and leftovers!
Tom Rukavina
State Representative
District 5A
P.S. I won’t even get into your
outright lie that the Iron Range Delegation killed some proposed land
exchange you claimed happened in 1997 because after all, it’s just
another lie.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Northern Minnesota Voters Guide 2012
Voters Guide 2012 From The International Falls Journal:
Each of the candidates in races were limited to 500 words in their total responses to the following:
1. Briefly summarize your personal background and experiences.
2. Why are you running for office?
3. What are your priorities?
4. Why are you the best candidate for this office?
5. Is there something else you want to tell constituents about
Full Article Link: http://www.ifallsjournal.com/news/elections/voters-guide/article_e1d78492-03f2-11e2-bc27-001a4bcf6878.html?fb_action_ids=3399457964819%2C3399353402205&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.UGY4Wf7OJWo.like&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%223399457964819%22%3A418924944821526%2C%223399353402205%22%3A350192765071171}&action_type_map={%223399457964819%22%3A%22og.likes%22%2C%223399353402205%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map={%223399353402205%22%3A%22.UGY4Wf7OJWo.like%22}
Embarrass Region Volunteer Fire Department
Providing fire protection and medical care to
the Embarrass and surrounding area. Embarrass Fire department - Doing a
lot with a little for 50 years.
This is a great group of people in Embarrass who love and support the area community. Want to be part of the team? You can message the department on Facebook to find out more.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/EmbarrassRegionlVolunteerFireDepartment
This is a great group of people in Embarrass who love and support the area community. Want to be part of the team? You can message the department on Facebook to find out more.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/EmbarrassRegionlVolunteerFireDepartment
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