Letter To The Editor: Joe Baltich discussing the BWCA,economy, tourism and mining.

Somebody from the Twin Cities wanted me to sign a petition banning sulfide mining. I couldn't help myself. These tourists need to know the other side of the story:

Geez, Dan. The whole town of Ely is economically collapsing. Last year (2012) 156 people were in the obituary and the New Year's Baby was born on Feb. 10. Resort bookings for May and June were substantially off and I'm pretty sure they will be down for July and August. The anecdotal estimate is that Ely business is OFF by about 25 - 30%. Boundary Waters Canoe Area use is in fairly steep decline. I should know, I've been an outfitter and resorter for my entire life in Ely. The parking lots at the entry points were rarely full, most seeing 25% occupancy for the majority of summer.

   As America ages, nobody wants to come and sleep on a rock only to be restricted to paddling a canoe. They want to jump in a boat/snomobile and go fishing without having the government breathing down their necks requiring permits, allowing dog sleds but not motors, no cans or bottles but 2 liter plastic bottles are OK. However, burning plastic is illegal. It is illegal to leave the BWCA to go shopping in Ely because it voids one's permit. These are only a smattering of the rules that the vast majority of twin cities tourists can't even get right so they laughably remain in constant violation of the laws they support so strongly. When they come from out of state, it's even harder to get them to comply.

    So, Ely is slipping. Everything is for sale and nobody's buying. A liquor store that was successful since the early 70's has been up for sale for 5 years now. Nobody is even looking at the building. Another liquor store has the same story. A restaurant has been sitting empty for years on end, rotting, because no one will buy it. Back when the mines where humming along in the 60's and 70's it, too, was a successful business.

    The first decline for Ely began in 1964 when the government closed 17 resorts under eminent domain. The mines were still running at full speed then so it was harder to notice. When the so-called "wilderness goldmine" came to be (final, most restrictive phase of the Boundary Waters law PL 95-495 in 1978), we began to witness the second decline as several resorts sold out again in a government buyout and closed their doors for good in the early 80's. With the introduction of the internet and electronic "toys" in the 90's, we began to see business drop off again. Then the economy began to really falter in the mid to late 2000's and we've lost an entire generation of young kids being brought to the woods to enjoy the outdoors. Their young parents were products of the internet and shopping malls. They didn't have the interest or the money to go and be uncomfortable in the Boundary Waters by Ely. Plus, with very aggressive advertising for the Disneylands and pampered cruises of the world to the well-connected online, we've lost some more ground. Some families simply can't afford anything and grow up like I did in Ely - rarely taking a vacation, ever.

   Now, those of us remaining in Ely today are experiencing a graduating class of 45 kids when in 1979 it was 159. Those kids aren't sticking around. The median user age in the BWCA is 55. In another 5 years, where do you think that's going to be? How long will it be (realistically) before our out-of-shape 60-year-olds decide that going to Florida and sitting on the beach is more enjoyable than schlepping a wet #4 pack and a canoe over a portage? I've heard it many times by many of our idealistic tourists that they "plan" to be paddling the BWCA until they die. Right... We all know precisely how accurate that prediction almost always winds up to be in reality. People get old, they get injured, and they stop coming.

   So, other than making a private and very temporary playground for older twin cities enthusiasts, what is your plan to see Ely survive? With Ely's average population aged 65 and older are you willing to pay substantially more in your personal taxes to keep Ely going? Will you contribute to keep the hospital operating, the roads to the entry points paved and maintained, and the schools open? How much extra are you willing to contribute to pay for law enforcement in the BWCA region? Meth use is on the rise in Ely and I'm sure, the entire region. How many more tax dollars are you willing to contribute to our area to fund dealing with this problem? Are you willing to quit your good-paying, twin cities area job as a master electrician and move to Ely to experience feast and famine personally? And how long will it be before you join the mass exodus out of town after you decide that making a living in Ely on tourism is a very difficult proposition requiring long hours and not a lot of pay, but with guaranteed uncertainty?

   So, ponder these things as you sign petitions to protect your 5 day, essentially-free, BWCA vacation, driving on roads that we pay for, while being protected by emergency services that we pay for, and stopping in stores that we pay for. Your $100 spent in Ely stores isn't going to float them through the winter, but your support of twin cities opposition to everything happening in Ely is certainly going to hurt all of us here in the long run. Maybe we should all sign a petition to have your company shut down. I hear working 3 part time jobs, like many do in Ely, is loads of fun but it significantly cuts into one's vacation time.

    Despite what the "environmental" detractors are spewing, we can have clean water and an underground mine located 3,000 to 4,000 feet underground. I bet you didn't know that it is not going to be an open pit but instead an underground mine.

    We are in the year 2013, not the Dark Ages. The locals up here actually like being here far more than you. We've committed a lifetime here while eeking out a living when we could have just as easily moved to some metro area for better pay. Your signing a petition against our support of the project says to me that you somehow know more and have greater concern for our backyard that you visit once a year. That's shortsighted on your part and rather insulting to all the people here who mined the very same rock for 88 years prior to the inception of the BWCA in 1964. Ironically, the BWCA was chosen (after 88 years of virtually unchecked-by-government mining) to be named a federally-designated wilderness due to it's pristine waters. Now, how was that even possible? The same rock?

  Hopefully, this letter will enlighten you somewhat. I'm not expecting much given the twin cities crowd and their blatant disregard of current BWCA laws while rabidly supporting something they know nothing about. It's always about their good time and ignore the rest of the world. Nonetheless, I thought I'd give it a try with you.


Joe Baltich

Northwind Lodge - Ely

Polymet’s Permit To Mine Requirements

Did You Know?

PolyMet’s Permit to Mine requires that there will always be sufficient funds available to the Minnesota DNR for two main activities: reclaiming the project site after closure, as well as monitoring and maintaining the site to comply with the permit. These financial assurance requirements are mandated by the Minnesota Administrative Rules Chapter 6132, governing nonferrous mining operations, and Minnesota Statutes Chapter 93, governing mineral lands. We must submit updated closure reclamation and corrective action plans each year as part of our annual report to the Minnesota DNR.

More Information Available here:

http://northeastrange.wordpress.com/2013/08/24/polymets-permit-to-mine-requirements/

Copper Education - Minnesota And Flambeau Comparisons, Ore Sulfide Bodies

Copper Education - Minnesota And Flambeau Comparisons, Ore Sulfide Bodies

What is Copper?

Native copper is an element and a mineral. It is found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits; in hydrothermal veins; in the cavities of basalt that has been in contact with hydrothermal solutions; and as pore fillings and replacements in conglomerates that have been in contact with hydrothermal solutions. It is rarely found in large quantities, thus it is seldom the primary target of a mining operation. Most copper produced is extracted from sulfide deposits.

http://geology.com/minerals/copper.shtml

An Overview of Cu-Ni Deposits inMinnesota: A Geological Perspective
Jim Miller
Department of Geological Sciences
Precambrian Research Center
University of Minnesota Duluth

http://www.lvpmn.org/_site_components/documents/user/DC%20Min_LVPmtg_5-13-13.pdf

Observed Results From The Flambeau Copper Mine - It has been done before safely.

Results show consistent sulfate levels below Wild Rice Standard In Minnesota

Sulfur Levels Much Lower In Minnesota Ores.

Source:
Copper and Nickel Mining in Minnesota
University Of Minnesota - Duluth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQELZoL2yUo

Flambeau Reclaimed: A Success Story

http://www.flambeaumine.com/

http://blogs.wisconsinoutdoorfun.com/blogs/wof/wofnashblog/2012/09/21/reclaimed-flambeau-mine-nature-trails/

Yard Sign | We Support Mining and Clean Water

New Mining Support Signs Are Available! Get your order in soon!

Yard signs will be available for purchase only until July 16.

Yard Sign | We Support Mining and Clean Water

Pacesetter Basketball Camp In Babbitt, Minnesota: July 22 -24, 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

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.

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 

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/

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

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.

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.

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?

“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.
(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.

Tom Rukavina voted for S.F.1750. Chip Cravaack authored legislation that made S.F.1750 federal law.

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.