Once again Congresswoman Betty McCollum has placed a target on the backs of the residents of Northeastern Minnesota who reside in the 8th Congressional district by including the following provision in H.R. 7612: Sec. 435, Rainy River Watershed:
“None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to review or approve a mine plan proposed within the Rainy River Watershed of the Superior National Forest.”
This language submitted by the Congresswoman not only impacts the Twin Metals project, but also prohibits expansion of Taconite mining facilities including US Steel Minntac, Arcelor Mittal Minorca and NorthShore Mining a Cliff ’s operation. This $37 BILLION dollar appropriations bill would provide nothing to benefit those of us who reside in or near the Rainy River Watershed but would certainly impact our future as residents of the region.
As Iron Range mayors of communities stretching from the Canadian border to the Iron Range and beyond, we stand with our 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber in his outrage over this proposal by Congresswoman McCollum. McCollum, from Minnesota’s 4th District (St Paul area) has decided that she knows what is best for members of his district and without any consultation inserted the provision against his strong objection and unfortunately it was passed by the House appropriations committee and also by the House.
As mayors we have been duly elected by the residents of our communities who have entrusted us to act on their behalf and in their best interests. We strive to provide the essential services our communities need while our citizens enjoy the bounty of Northeastern Minnesota, the clean water, the phenomenal wilderness and forests, the solitude of rural living. We also prosper and benefit from the rich mineral deposits of iron ore that have provided us with over 135 years of mining careers, supplemental support industries, built our schools and allowed generations of Iron Rangers to stay home and prosper. You, Congresswoman McCollum should be ashamed to think you know what we want and need for our communities. Now we have an opportunity to develop a precious mineral mining economy and diversify our economy all while supplying our country with the strategic minerals that are in demand by the clean energy economy, the technology, pharmaceutical and national defense industries rather than relying on foreign nations for our needs. Your provision eliminates even the possibility of that happening in our region.
A bill was introduced in the Minnesota legislature to provide some tax incentives for an expansion of the Mall of America by (hold your breath) a foreign country! As mayors of Northeastern Minnesota we fully expect to see that you demand an environmental impact assessment of this proposed project before one shovel of dirt is turned over and we hope it takes 14 plus years for completion like proposed projects on the Iron Range. Congresswoman McCollum we have a saying on the Range; “Watch Your Own Bobber”. Please heed our words and let our duly elected Congressman represent us.
The Range mayors ask for residents and business leaders to join us as we call upon our US Senators, Klobuchar and Smith to work on preventing this language from becoming law. The Senate can and must help the Range retain its proud mining history and future opportunities of environmentally safe mineral extraction. Rangers do it right.
Sincerely, Iron Range Mayors
The following mayors agreed to sign on to
this letter:
Gar Tibbitts – Aitkin; Douglas Gregor –
Aurora; Andrea Zupancich – Babbitt; Jim
Weikum – Biwabik; John Klarich – Buhl;
John Tuorila – Calumet; John Champa
– Chisholm; Chuck Novak – Ely; Bob
Vlaisavljevich – Eveleth; Dave DeNoyer
– Floodwood; Karl Oberstar Jr. – Gilbert;
Dale Adams – Grand Rapids; Rick
Cannata – Hibbing; Dan Kingsley – Hill
City; Chris Vreeland – Hoyt Lakes; Bill
King – Keewatin; Gary Skalko – Mtn. Iron;
Calvin Saari – Nashwauk; Larry Cuffe –
Virginia
Leave a Reply