St. Paul, Minnesota (Jan. 13, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans released the following statement in response to action taken by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to start the process to withdraw 234,000 acres of federal land and minerals in northern Minnesota from future leasing and exploration and development activities:
“Jobs for Minnesotans is extremely disappointed with today’s filing of a Federal Register notice to begin the withdrawal process of 234,000 acres of federal minerals from future development in Minnesota. As we stated when the Obama administration announced its arbitrary and unprecedented decision to pursue mineral withdrawal on Dec. 15, 2016, this action sends a chilling message to hardworking Minnesotans who need the widespread economic benefits of mining in our state.
Threatening to halt future developments in this vast region will cause the state to lose billions of dollars in potential revenues that support K-12 education across the state, as well as thousands of prospective jobs from future mining projects and associated spinoff employment. This action is devastating news for the economic wellbeing of our state.
The withdrawal of federal minerals from future development is unnecessary and unlawful. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has strict protections in place within its boundaries as well as buffer zones surrounding it where mining is prohibited. Pursuing mineral withdrawal ignores the established process for the public to evaluate mining projects on their merits. This is a process Minnesotans and many leading lawmakers have expressed support for countless times, including in a letter to the secretaries of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior earlier this week.
Federal agencies are continuing to ignore the voices of those most affected by this drastic decision. Conducting one public meeting in Duluth is highly disrespectful to the Ely and Iron Range working families and communities who are most affected by these actions. Minnesota’s labor, business and community leadership will not stand down. We will make our voices heard.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978
Capitol Urges Feds to Reverse Mining Decision
Mesabi Daily News
Jerry Burnes
A bipartisan group of Minnesota legislators, including the state’s majority and minority leaders, wrote a letter to federal officials Wednesday criticizing the decision to deny the renewal of leases for Twin Metals Minnesota.
The letter, signed by 62 legislators, calls for Interior Secretary Sally Jewell and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to reconsider and reverse actions taken in December. It also asks them to “refocus your agencies on the proper task” of reviewing mining projects under past federal processes and not make “politically-driven” decisions.
Commentary: Exchange is Big Win for Iron Range
International Falls Journal
Congressman Rick Nolan
In a major step toward creating hundreds more good paying jobs in our region, the U.S. Forest Service announced this morning that they have finally agreed to the land exchange necessary for PolyMet to move ahead, access the NorthMet copper-nickel deposits and begin mining under the vast lands known as the Duluth Complex.
Land Exchange Approved for PolyMet
BusinessNorth
Staff
The land exchange allows the company to receive approximately 6,650 acres of surface land above and around the NorthMet ore body. It currently is owned by the Forest Service. In return, PolyMet will transfer four parcels of land totaling 6,690 acres to the Forest Service.
St. Paul, Minnesota (Jan. 9, 2017) – Jobs for Minnesotans today released the following statement in response to the federal Final Record of Decision approving the land exchange for PolyMet Mining’s NorthMet project:
“Jobs for Minnesotans celebrates this important milestone for copper-nickel mining in Minnesota. The federal Final Record of Decision for PolyMet’s land exchange validates the project’s comprehensive environmental review process culminating in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Furthermore, this decision acknowledges that this land exchange is in the best interest of the public.
The NorthMet project has been thoroughly examined by multiple state and federal agencies, and this decision takes us one step closer to bringing hundreds of jobs to an area of the state that desperately needs the economic opportunities that this project will provide. Following this momentous decision, we are confident that PolyMet will work efficiently with the agencies to complete the permitting process in a timely fashion.”
About Jobs for Minnesotans
Jobs for Minnesotans, a coalition representing business, labor and communities, supports statewide opportunities for prosperity and middle-class jobs from sustainable natural resource development in Minnesota. The organization is committed to the principle that our state can preserve both job opportunities and the environment for future generations. Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in 2012 by the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. For more information, visit jobsforminnesotans.org, follow @JobsforMN on Twitter and find the coalition on Facebook.com/Jobs4MN.
###
Media Contact: Nancy Norr, Board Chair
nnorr@mnpower.com
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978