Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board

“A 30-day public comment period and … two public hearing sessions is not a substitute for a three- to five-year federal environmental review process that allows for substantial scientific input,” Twin Metals Government Affairs Adviser Bob McFarlin astutely pointed out in a meeting last week with the News Tribune, including with members of the editorial board. “That … process, when it is followed, is the process that allows communities, businesses, stakeholders and other organizations the opportunity to participate. If our project or any project is stopped at this point, that is a unilateral decision by a federal agency that does not take into account, the same way (the completion of an Environmental Impact Statement) would, the input from affected stakeholders.”

A renewal rejection now by the U.S. Forest Service would eliminate the public from the process. And would be in contrast to past approvals, McFarlin pointed out, a “complete, 180-degree turn on the Forest Service’s opinion on the environmental impacts — and nothing new has occurred.”

Read More: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/our-view/4072827-our-view-follow-process-twin-metals

Mesabi Daily News
Bill Hanna

KQDS TV
Zach Richie
*Click link to view video

Iron Range Leaders gathered in Virginia to voice their anger towards the U.S. Forest Service over a listening session taking place on mineral lease renewals in Duluth.

“It’s not just about Minnesota’s Iron Range. It’s about our national security, it’s about our national economy, it’s about our ability to grow and prosper,” said Nolan.

The Forest Service said they want to get public opinion on the issue, but this crowd said they are not being heard.

Read More: http://www.fox21online.com/news/local-news/mining-supporters-rally-in-virginia/40268908

WDIO TV
Staff
*Click link to view video

They stood together, representing business, the trades, cities, counties, and legislative districts. And the leaders on the Range want the U.S. Forest Service to know, they are not happy about the agency’s stance on the Twin Metals project.

“They’ve changed the rules, and to add insult to injury, they’re holding a public hearing in Duluth. Which is not convenient and not accessible to the majority of Iron Range residents who live here, and will be directly impacted if the mine comes to fruition,” said Steve Giorgi, executive director of RAMS.

Congressman Rick Nolan has been outspoken and critical of the Forest Service since the statement was issued. He and Senators Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar have sent a letter to the agency, requesting a public listening session on the Iron Range.

Read More: http://www.wdio.com/TWIM/mining-twin-metals-environment-forest-service-iron-range/4183573/

Star Tribune
Steve Karnowski

A company that wants to build an underground copper-nickel mine near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota criticized the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday for saying it may deny renewal of the mineral leases needed for the $2.8 billion project near Ely.

Twin Metals Minnesota said the Forest Service’s statement “suggests a disturbing predisposition or bias” against renewing the leases even before the federal agency opens a 30-day public comment period next Monday. The company said it’s “evaluating all options” to protect its property and due process rights, and says it’s entitled to renew the two leases, which were first issued in 1966 and last renewed in 2004.

Read More: http://www.startribune.com/copper-mine-developer-fires-back-against-us-forest-service/382991171/