The Northern Environmental Council, a federation of more than fifty environmental groups in five upper Midwest states wants the federal government to cancel International Nickel Company’s lease for copper and nickel mining in the state near the BWCA.
A resolution claims that INCO violated the agreement by proposing open pit mining when it had been stipulated only underground operations would be allowed. The group praised Judge Miles Lord for his efforts on the Reserve Mining case and his decisions on timber logging in the BWCA, demonstrating concern for the public interest and courage.
DICK DALEY: The Northern Environmental Council, a federation of more than 50 environmental groups in five Upper Midwest states, wants the federal government to cancel International Nickel Company's lease for copper nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Inco, you'll recall, recently announced it was abandoning the project for the time being, chiefly because of environmental concerns in the state.
Today's resolution was offered by Charles Stoddard, a former Interior Department official. He claims Inco violated the agreement by proposing open pit mining of the copper nickel ore, when it had been stipulated that only underground operations would be allowed. NOREC called on the Secretary of Interior to cancel the lease, effective February 1, and for the state to follow suit.
The environmental group also adopted a resolution praising Judge Miles Lord for his efforts on the reserve mining case and his decisions on timber cutting in the BWCA. The resolution said Lord had demonstrated outstanding concern for the public interest and high courage. It said the Circuit Court of Appeals has arrogantly flouted the public interest with its decisions favoring reserve in publicly castigating Judge Lord. And I'm Dick Daley.