COMMUNITY VOICES | PolyMet’s SDEIS: Perpetual water treatment and sulfide mining are synonymous – some are just having difficulty recognizing it

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Definition of perpetual: “Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time.” Like centuries.Legal Definition of perpetual: “That which is to last without limitation as to time; as, a perpetual statute, which is one without limit as to time, although not expressed to be so.” (Black’s Law Dictionary)Definition of perpetual existence of a corporation: “having no end date.”PolyMet, a corporation without an end date is perpetual but its pollution, also without an end date, is not perpetual?The Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement {SDEIS) description of PolyMet’s NorthMet Project pollution: “Both mechanical and non-mechanical treatment would require periodic maintenance and monitoring activities. Mechanical water treatment is part of the modeled NorthMet Project Proposed Action for the duration of the simulations (200 years at the Mine Site, and 500 years at the Plant Site). The duration of the simulations was determined based on capturing the highest predicted concentrations of the modeled NorthMet Project Proposed Action. It is uncertain how long the NorthMet Project Proposed Action would require water treatment, but it is expected to be long-term; actual treatment requirements would be based on measured, rather than modeled, NorthMet Project water quality performance, as determined through required monitoring.” In other words, wait and see just how bad it will get, then monitor and decide on “actual treatment requirements.”“Modeled.” “Simulations.” “Highest predicted concentrations.” “Uncertain.” “Long-term.” Tucked among the verbiage evidence that the pollution will be worse than the predicted (minimum) of 200 years at the mine site and 500 years at the plant site. The United States has only been around for 237 years.“Long-term” water treatment, for more than twice the time our country has existed – with no end in sight – certainly fits the definition of perpetual. Continue Reading

Winter in the Twin Cities: Outdoor fun

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The Christmas tree, lights, and tinsel may be put away, but Jack Frost is here to stay…for a while. The early arrival of frigid sub-zero temperatures this season have made parts of December feel a lot like January. But no, we’ve only just begun, folks.Maybe the old saying, if you can’t beat it, join it is the best mindset to adopt when battling winter blues and cabin fever. Why not add a bit of outdoor winter fun to your fitness and social routine? Bundle up and try something new!Below we’ve compiled a few outdoor winter activities in the Twin Cities (and beyond), from cross-country skiing and ice skating, to winter festivals and sled rallies, that provide an incentive to get out in natural light and engage the snowy landscape. Continue Reading

Require a damage deposit from sulfide mining

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Since the proposed sulfide mines in Minnesota’s Iron Range are estimated to be worked out in 20 years, and then the mining companies are gone, it’s sort of like the mining companies are renting a piece of wilderness and potentially leaving the place trashed like a spiteful tenant leaving an apartment with no expectation of recovering the damage deposit. At least the landlord gets the damage deposit to cover cleaning and repair costs. Would it be such an imposition to demand a damage deposit before approving sulfide mining? The mining companies are supposed to make some sort of assurances under existing law, which feels a bit like a landlord just accepting some assurances that damage will be paid for. Continue Reading

Strengthening our region’s response to climate change

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On December 4th, the Metropolitan Council, meeting as the Committee of the Whole, discussed a draft of Thrive MSP 2040, a version of which will soon be the latest long-range planning document for the region. State statuterequires the development of this plan every ten years, and local comprehensive plans must be “compatible” and “conform” to the plans for metropolitan systems. Continue Reading

OPINION | People of color seek an environmental message that includes them

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It is easy to dismiss the environmental movement. It seems that so many of the messages that come from environmentalists are related to things that are defined as White or ideas that are not of any concern to African Americans. It may also seem like the environmental movement is trying to “unring” a bell, making the behavior attached to protecting the environment from human harm inaccessible and unrealistic.

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The same safety with less salt

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We don’t often think about how we pollute our watersheds and corrode our cars to preserve public safety, but this is the confusing math of road salt in winter. Keeping roads clear of snow and ice is a critical safety responsibility in Minnesota. Road managers as well as homeowners with driveways depend on salt to help with that. Continue Reading

The tree of knowledge of good and evil

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It’s common to make biblical references when we want to underscore how ancient something is, but in the case of apples, we know they’ve been around for a very long time. Originating in Central Asia, hybrid varieties propagated through grafting were well established over 6,000 years ago. Today there are over 7,500 cultivars world-wide. Despite the range, diversity and quantity of apples produced in the world, however, Malus domestica apparently isn’t measuring up to the modern consumer’s expectations. At least that’s what Neal Carter, president of Okanagan Specialty Fruits thinks. He has developed genetically engineered Granny Smith and Golden Delicious apples that won’t turn brown when the flesh is exposed to air. Carter isn’t alone in searching for technological improvements to the apple. Nanotech coatings to keep fruits like apples, pears and mangos firm are already in use. Continue Reading