Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz vows to slow mining efforts in 'sacred' Boundary Waters wilderness
Trump administration lifted federal mining ban 4 months ago
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday said the state would not review or process permits on proposed mining projects in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, four months after the U.S. Congress and President Donald Trump's administration lifted a federal ban.
asserted
Congress → vow → ban
The area stretches for about 240 kilometres along Minnesota's border with Canada in the Superior National Forest, just south of Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario.
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area → stretch → Ontario
Thousands of canoeists, kayakers and campers explore the wilderness each year.
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Thousands → explore → wilderness
"It's our duty as Minnesotans to ensure the sacred place remains wild, pristine and unharmed," said Walz, a Democrat.
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Walz → ensure → Minnesotans
But Walz's executive order apparently won't last long: Under state law, it would expire in April, 90 days after he leaves office.
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he → last → office
The next governor could adopt it.
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governor → adopt → it
And there's no shovel-ready project, though Twin Metals Minnesota LLC, a subsidiary of Chile-based Antofagasta Minerals, has been seeking to mine for copper, nickel and other precious metals in the national forest since 2019.
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LLC → be → 2019
It insists it can be done in a way that leaves no waste rock stored above ground, eliminating a potential source of acid.
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that → insist → acid
The canoe area lies within the national forest just downstream from the mine site, raising concerns that digging could cause pollution.
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digging → lie → pollution
In April, Trump signed a resolution approved by Congress that lifts a 2023 federal moratorium on mining in the forest.
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that → sign → forest
He said it would create jobs and boost the mining industry.
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it → say → industry
Walz's order says Minnesota regulators will not participate as a co-operating agency in any federal environmental review of nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed, which is linked to Boundary Waters.
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which → say → Waters
The state also will not conduct environmental reviews or permitting work on mining proposals while litigation over state mining regulations is ongoing, the order says.
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order → conduct → regulations
Walz also wants the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to draft legislation prohibiting nonferrous mining in the Rainy River watershed.
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Department → want → watershed
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, a Republican, criticized Walz, accusing him of "outright war on northern Minnesota and our way of life."
"Years of rigorous review, environmental study and massive private investment have been erased in seconds by a deeply unpopular governor," Stauber said in a written statement.
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Stauber → criticize → statement
Trump OKs mining near Minnesota's Boundary Waters, allowing Chilean firm to seek permits
New mining exploration 'absolutely a threat' to Minnesota's Boundary Waters:
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exploration → ok → Waters
advocate
Becky Rom, chairperson of the advocacy group Save the Boundary Waters, praised the governor, who did not seek re-election this year.
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who → praise → election
"The science is clear: copper mining and the Boundary Waters cannot safely co-exist.
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mining → co → ?
This action helps safeguard the clean water, world-class wilderness and outdoor economy that generations of Minnesotans cherish," Rom said.
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Rom → help → Minnesotans
James Coleman, a professor at the University of Minnesota law school, said Walz's order, at a minimum, adds uncertainty to any proposed project.
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order → say → project
"If you need federal approval, you probably need state approval," Coleman said.
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Coleman → need → approval
"These projects take many years to complete.
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projects → take → years
Partisan politics may flip at the state or federal level, and it can be hard to get a project to the finish line."
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it → flip → line
The Aporia
