FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2019
Contact: Margaret Levin – 612-259-2446; margaret.levin@sierraclub.org
Minneapolis, MINN. Today, the U.S. Army Corp announced the issuance of the Section 404 permit, the final permit needed for the proposed PolyMet NorthMet Mine near Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota.
Sierra Club North Star Chapter Director Margaret Levin issued the following statement in response:
“As we celebrate World Water Day, we are honoring the needs of all peoples for clean water. Therefore it is deeply disturbing that the U.S. Army Corps chose today to grant the final permit for PolyMet’s toxic sulfide mine. The operations of this mine would put downstream communities -- such as Duluth and all who depend on Lake Superior -- at grave risk of long term pollution.
Northern Minnesota’s iconic waterways are internationally significant resources that deserve better treatment from the people and agencies entrusted with their protection. The stakes are high: PolyMet’s proposed mine would threaten the health and safety of our communities, destroy thousands of acres of wetlands and habitat, and expose Minnesota taxpayers to massive financial risk.
The Sierra Club remains fully committed to continuing the critical work of ensuring that our clean water and natural resources are protected and valued for generations to come. This means continuing our fight in the courts, and working to advance a Prove it First policy for Minnesota so that no sulfide ore mine will be permitted until it can be proven safe."
To volunteer to support our work to stop sulfide mining contact north.star.chapter@sierraclub.org