Marshall touches on some of the big regional stories this week - including proposed copper nickel mining near Hoyt Lakes, a study on forest disturbance in northern MN and the Ely Marathon.
A three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals has issued a temporary stay of two more permits for PolyMet Mining’s planned NorthMet copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes. The stay, issued late last Wednesday, Sept. 18, puts PolyMet’s permit to mine and dam safety permit on hold until a three-judge panel of the court can hear further arguments on the need for a stay pending further legal proceedings. Those oral arguments are set for Oct. 23.
A federal probe that began earlier this year with questions over the handling of the permitting process for PolyMet Mining is being expanded nationwide. The announcement, made Sept. 5 by the U.S. EPA’s Office of Inspector General, suggests preliminary findings in the PolyMet case have raised alarms with federal investigators.
