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State Representative Tom Anzelc
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4936
For more information contact: Michael Howard 651-296-8873
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GOVERNOR DENIES REQUEST TO PREVENT FLOODING AT CANISTEO MINE
State Representatives Loren Solberg (DFL-Grand Rapids) and Tom Anzelc (DFL-Balsam Township) and State Senator Tom Saxhaug (DFL-Grand Rapids) made a formal request of the Governor on Tuesday to include funding for the Canisteo Mine in the disaster relief bill taken up in the special session.
The legislators said that the Governor refused to consider including funding to prevent another tragedy.
Over the years, water from the Canisteo Mine Pit, which is just outside the town of Bovey, has created a lake approximately 400 feet deep and six miles long. As this body of water continues to rise, the sides of the lake are eroding, threatening to break through – consequently flooding the town of Bovey.
"We asked the Governor to do the right thing and prevent another tragedy from happening," said Solberg. "He clearly isn't interested in doing the right thing."
Part of the town of Bovey is at a much lower level that the water in the pit. Between 50 – 60 people live in this section, and could be swept away if the lake edge gives in.
"The rising of this lake has the very real possibility of destroying roads, homes and lives," said Anzelc. "This seemed like the perfect opportunity to prevent another tragedy."
Last session, $1.3 million was appropriated in the bonding bill to cover some of the cost of siphoning or pumping water out of the pit to lower the level. Unfortunately, the Governor vetoed the bonding bill.
"The lesson of the collapse of the I-35 bridge has taught us one thing," said Saxhaug. "We can't wait any longer for the Governor to decide to invest in our infrastructure."
News Items
- STATE REPRESENTATIVE TOM ANZELC APPOINTED VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE - (Posted: Dec 21 2012 12:00AM)
- Rep. Tom Anzelc participates in Governor Dayton’s “Working for Minnesota Jobs” discussion with Essar Steel and Magnetation - (Posted: 2012-10-03 00:00:00)
- REP. ANZELC: DISASTER RELIEF PACKAGE PROVIDES DESPERATELY NEEDED STATE AID - (Posted: 2012-08-24 00:00:00)
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