The nonprofit American Rivers organization has called upon President Barack Obama, U.S. Congress and Governor Mark Dayton to block a proposed copper nickel mine near the South Kawishiwi River in Ely after the organization placed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on its “Most Endangered Rivers 2013” list.
In its statement, American Rivers says the BWCAW “is threatened by a proposed copper nickel mine near a popular entry point to the wilderness.” Further, they said the mine would threaten a source of drinking water for area residents and visitors.
The proposed mine lies within the Superior National Forest outside the BWCAW. American Rivers spokesperson Jessie Thomas-Blate claims the mine would produce large quantities of waste rock, sulfuric acid and a variety of toxic metals. “Polluted runoff from the mine poses a public health concern because of fish and drinking water contamination and threatens the Boundary Waters ecosystem,” she said.
“Minnesota business owners recognize that the pollution that inevitably follows metallic sulfide mining poses a major risk to the area’s tourism based economy,” said Becky Rom, of Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness, a non-profit organization based in Ely that advocates for the protection of the Quetico-Superior ecosystem.
Nancy McReady of Conservationists with Common Sense, another Ely nonprofit, said the environmental groups point to mining problems that occurred prior to the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 and the National Environmental Protection Act in 1970. “All copper mines have not polluted watersheds. Yes, there are mines that have done so, but these mines were in operation with old technology well before the 1972 Clean Water Act,” said McReady.
Canoe trip outfitter Steve Piragis, who with his wife, Nancy, owns Piragis Northwoods Company, said, “I’m concerned that damage to the South Kawishiwi will pollute up to 65 miles of the Boundary Waters’ most popular canoe routes, from Fall Lake to Basswood and Lac La Croix, including a key segment of the historic water highway along the US-Canada border.”
“No matter how many times Becky Rom, Steve Piragis and other anti-mining people say that copper mines will pollute the Boundary Waters it doesn’t make it true. For the most part, what they say is self serving. Their concern is for their business only, not the entire community,” said McReady.
Jim Maki, owner of The Great Outdoors in Ely, agreed with McReady, stating that mining opponents are “putting the cart before the horse.”
The Boundary Waters has high recreational, ecological, cultural, and economic value, according to Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness. The beautiful landscape of forests, lakes, and rivers has historically attracted as many as 250,000 visitors annually. In addition, the Boundary Waters is protected for Native American cultural values and use of hunting, fishing, and gathering rice.
The U.S. Forest Service has estimated that the Superior National Forest contributes $500 million to the regional economy each year, of which $100 million is attributed to the Boundary Waters. The South Kawishiwi River is a critical waterway in this wilderness and an important canoe route and Boundary Waters entry point. The significance of this river is underscored by four protected research sites in the area.
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