ST. PAUL, MN - A bill to be introduced tomorrow would be a
major step in protecting Minnesota’s taxpayers and lakes,
rivers, streams and groundwater from the damages of sulfide
mining proposed in the heart of the state’s prized lake
country.
Sulfide mining is new in Minnesota, but elsewhere in the
country it has polluted water with acid mine drainage and
left taxpayers responsible for hundreds of millions of
dollars in clean-up costs when mining companies have filed
for bankruptcy and abandoned their polluted mines.
Now, with sulfide mining companies seeking permits from the
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and exploration
for more sulfide mines occurring throughout the Arrowhead
region, laws are needed to protect Minnesotans from problems
experienced in other states.
The “Safe Mines to Protect Our Water” legislation,
introduced by Rep. Alice Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) and Sen. Jim
Carlson (DFL-Eagan) would ensure that mining companies are
required to provide sufficient financial assurance to the
state and that their mines are clean and non-polluting when
mining is done.
“Mining needs to be a sustainable enterprise,” said Carlson.
“We need to make sure sulfide mines will be good neighbors
in Minnesota, providing jobs while protecting our prized
waters and our state’s hardworking taxpayers.”
While other states have passed similar legislation only
after experiencing the devastating effects of sulfide mining
disasters, Minnesota has a chance to lead on the issue,
preventing problems before they occur.
The legislation would not be a moratorium on sulfide mining.
It seeks to ensure that mining is done right and that mines
are modern, model operations that will not leave a legacy of
pollution or expensive clean-up bills for taxpayers.
“We have a duty to future generations to pass on to them our
lakes, rivers and streams as clean and safe as we have
enjoyed them,” said Hausman. “If the legislature does not
pass this law, our children and grandchildren might not be
able to enjoy the fishing, canoing and other pastimes that
are cherished Minnesota traditions.”
Without protective standards in place, mine waste from
sulfide mines could be a toxic problem for hundreds of
years. Acidic runoff loaded with toxic metals would threaten
the neighboring lakes, rivers and streams of the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Lake Superior watersheds.
The legislation is supported by the Friends of the Boundary
Waters Wilderness, which considers unsafe sulfide mining to
be one of the biggest threats to the treasured Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The issue is also a priority
for the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, a coalition of
more than 80 nonprofit conservation and environmental
organizations committed to protecting and restoring
Minnesota’s Great Outdoors.
Capitol press room walk
through: