U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), in an effort to protect Minnesota’s mining industry and fuel job creation, recently called on the Trump administration to rescind an application for federal lands in Northern Minnesota to be withdrawn from mineral exploration and development.
The Obama administration submitted an application in January to withdraw 234,328 acres of land from within the Superior National Forest from mineral exploration and development for 20 years. The total boundary of the withdrawal application covers approximately 425,000 acres, including 95,000 acres of state school trust fund lands.
Emmer led a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue calling for the application to be rejected. The letter argues that the Obama administration’s request contradicts action taken by Congress in 1950 and 1978 to pave the way for mineral exploration in the Superior National Forest.
“We believe the proposed withdrawal not only goes against congressional intent, but it would also have a significant impact on Minnesota and the nation’s economy,” the letter states. “If left unchecked, the proposed mineral withdrawal pursued by the Obama administration will block the creation of thousands of American jobs and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.”
The University of Minnesota-Duluth estimates that 12,000 construction jobs and 5,000 long-term mining jobs would be created if mining projects in the Duluth Complex were allowed to move forward. The projects would also generate an estimated $2.5 billion per year for the local economy.
“In addition, Minnesota’s Constitution mandates that state trust lands ensure a long-term source of funds for K-12 education,” the letter states. If the withdrawal application and cancelled state mineral leases are not rejected, Minnesota could lose up to $3 billion in revenues for the state’s Permanent School Trust Fund, the letter said.
New mines proposed in the area will have to adhere to strict mandates and requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, state laws and other regulations, the letter noted.
“I have no doubt that we can find a way to preserve our state’s pristine landscape without ensuring it becomes devoid of the economic development or job creation needed to thrive,” Emmer said.