St. Paul, MN - Representative Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis), chief author of the Prove it First legislation, released the following statement in response to the Minnesota Supreme Court’s Polymet decision:
“It is said that the name ‘Minnesota’ is from the Dakota word meaning ‘clear blue water.’ In our state named for its waters, the Minnesota Supreme Court returned the Polymet mining permit to the Department of Natural Resources today. The decision reflects Minnesotans’ strong tradition and values of protecting our unique and nationally treasured Boundary Waters. Acid mine drainage has no place in our BWCA or Lake Superior. As the science shows us, we know copper sulfide mining carries a significant threat of water pollution, which can have devastating consequences. Minnesotans deserve transparency- and today’s decision provides a path forward in permanent protection for generations to come. Thank you to the advocates who won this victory today, the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, and Water Legacy for their work.”
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