News

Duluth News Tribune
January 16, 2010

The Jan. 5 letter, "PolyMet's plan will taint unique environment," was surprising to me. I am confident there are very strict and secure safeguards in place to help protect our local waters. I am sure I will become informed and educated about those facts by reading through the environmental impact statement prepared and published for the proposed PolyMet mine.

I was doubly puzzled by the letter writer's completely unfounded concern about impacts to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The PolyMet project is not even in the same watershed and cannot have an impact on the BWCAW waters.

Our region needs jobs - and fast. As the writer mentioned, the Iron Range is in an economic crisis. This mine would bring many hundreds of badly needed jobs, significant capital investment and opportunities for a turnaround for our region.

I am a life-long resident of the Iron Range and I also understand the value and benefit of our natural resources. By allowing PolyMet to mine for nonferrous metals, we are not signing off on environmental destruction, we will actually be helping the environment by providing means for alternative energy, such as wind turbines and clean technologies that rely on the precious metals that PolyMet will provide. Plus, the state's strict reclamation policies and financial assurance requirements will ensure no taxpayer money is required for any mine clean-up.

The only responsible thing to do during this tough economic climate is to take care of our family members, loved ones and friends who are struggling. Meanwhile, we must keep ourselves educated on all the facts on the issues that may affect the environment and know that the PolyMet plans and processes will meet Minnesota's strict air and water-quality standards.

Some of us also need to brush up on our geography.

John Grahek

Virginia