Gordon Hommes' column in the Feb. 11th Lake County Press about the dangers of sulfide mining in Minnesota was very informative and educational. I really appreciated that he described the differences between iron ore mining which has been an important, long-time industry in northern Minnesota, and the proposed sulfide mining. He clearly pointed out the many damaging environmental effects of mining copper and nickel from rock located in wet areas. To quote from his article, 'The US Forest Service investigated numerous sulfide mining operations in wet environments and couldn't find a single one that didn't contaminate the environment.' Mr. Hommes also called attention to other impacts of mining in northern Minnesota: light pollution, noise from heavy machinery and trucks, constant road traffic, and millions of tons of greenhouse gases from the mines. All of this information increased my understanding of the harmful effects of this type of mining in our state. In challenging Representative Pete Stauber's allegation that banning sulfide mining 'is an attack on our way of life,' Mr. Hommes cited outfitters' businesses which depend on clean water and wild landscapes, the thousands of tourists who bring money to the area, people living there who want to leave a healthy environment for future generations. These are all part of 'our way of life.' Let us hope that Rep. Stauber reads and heeds Mr. Hommes' article.
