Eyewitness to mining exploration

Last week, Friends staff visited some of the areas on the Superior National Forest where mining companies want to explore for sulfide ores. Many of these areas are on the edges of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or would impact many other wonderful areas, including wild lakes, rivers and woods.

As we reported a few weeks ago, mining companies have applied for permits to explore for sulfide minerals in a broad swath of the Forest between Birch Lake and the Little Gabbro Lake entry point, including areas at the very edges of the Boundary Waters. Read more about how this could affect the Wilderness and its ecosystem here.

2 Comments

• Wendy Evanov says:

  June 30, 2009 at 6:16 pm

  I just saw a piece about your organization on the news. Best of luck.

  I understand that people want jobs but mining/oil drilling that destroys nature is not the answer. It’s an unacceptable, temporary fix. Why do we continually want to exploit and deplete resources rather than find new ways to fuel the economy?

  I hear people say they dont want to pass on a huge deficit to our children and grandchildren. I wish they would be concerned with passing on a green earth full of beautiful creatures and clean water.

  Reply
• Greg says:

  July 2, 2009 at 12:54 pm

  Wendy – thanks for your comment, I really appreciate you taking the time to post it.

  You’ve stated many of the same things we believe, which is why we think Minnesotans need to have an informed debate about this issue, fully realizing what the trade-offs are.

  Clean water will be one of the most precious resources in the world soon… with Minnesota’s tremendous clean water resources, it seems silly to risk them for short-term gains.

  Thanks again.

  Reply