Guest Column: Let’s Wrap Up PolyMet
Mesabi Daily News
Opinion: U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan
After 10 long years, the rigorous approval process for PolyMet’s NorthMet copper, nickel and other precious metals mining project has reached a major milestone: The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was published this month in the Federal Register.
Having studied the details closely, and after numerous meetings with all the parties involved, I’m urging the co-lead agencies — the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service — to wrap things up so the project can be permitted and operational at the earliest possible date.
Views on PolyMet Final Environmental Impact Statement
Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
On Friday, the long-anticipated final environmental review of PolyMet’s proposed copper-nickel mine was released, detailing how the project can be accomplished while also protecting air quality, water purity and the environment.
The News Tribune already had opined that the release of the 3,000-page Final Environmental Impact Statement, a document that took more than 10 years to get right, marked a moment that could be “welcomed and embraced.”
Pioneer Press
Editorial Board
Minnesotans should appreciate the process that is purposefully working its way to a conclusion as the state decides whether to allow copper and nickel mining on the Iron Range.
After 10 years, it reached a landmark Friday when the state’s Department of Natural Resources issued the final environmental impact statement on the proposed PolyMet mine near Hoyt Lakes in northeastern Minnesota. If other steps proceed and the department approves of the 3,000-page document early next year, the company then could begin applying for the nearly two dozen permits it will need.
Our view: Embrace PolyMet’s milestone
Duluth News Tribune
Editorial Board
After more than 10 years of environmental review — and with the end of that process now imminent and the start of the permitting process poised to begin — northern Minnesota could be providing the copper and other precious metals the world needs before the end of next year. Importantly for northern Minnesota, that also means we soon could be basking in the benefit of hundreds of millions of dollars of long-promised economic impact from the industry.
Read more: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/our-view/3875207-our-view-embrace-polymets-milestone
Local View: Duluthians, Let’s Support Progress, Not NIMBYism
Duluth News Tribune
Opinion: Craig Olson and Brian Hanson
Our state and federal agencies have a thorough process in place to ensure the proposed PolyMet mine meets all of the rigorous environmental protections required by law, including providing significant financial assurances. Regulations aren’t anything new. Trusted systems are in place to make sure that legal, responsible projects can deliver hundreds of jobs and a protected environment. All businesses — from your local day care to the accounting firm that does your taxes to mining companies — must meet regulations to ensure our assets are protected.