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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Julie Sandstede (DFL)

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Legislative Update – Share Your Views on Mining Regulations

Monday, November 22, 2021

Dear Neighbors,

Here in northern Minnesota, we know how to safely mine while also protecting our clean water resources. After all, we've all done it our entire lives. The current process and environmental regulations are stringent and fair, but mining opponents keep going to court to short circuit the law with the goal of ultimately preventing ANY new mining projects from moving forward.

Anti-mining forces have brought a lawsuit, and as a result, the DNR is currently seeking comments from Minnesotans regarding the state’s nonferrous mining rule. Courts dismissed a similar challenge in 2019, but looking forward, it's critical for our voices to be heard. While this current lawsuit concerns the Twin Metals project, make no mistake: those who brought this suit have a goal of enacting a blanket ban on new mining, without any material evidence. Projects should be fairly evaluated individually on their merits.

Please take some time to share your views about how our current laws are proven, fair, and when the process is followed, allow mining to coexist with protecting our waters and wilderness. You can submit your comments here, and the deadline is December 8.

Happy Thanksgiving

I want to wish all of you a healthy, safe, and fun Thanksgiving with your friends and family. No matter the struggles before us, this is an extraordinarily special time of year giving us an opportunity to reflect with gratitude for the moments we’ve shared with loved ones over the past year, while creating new moments to cherish.

Please continue to contact me with your input, ideas, or if I can ever be of assistance. It’s an honor to represent you.

Together,

Julie Sandstede
State Representative