Duluth, MN (Northland's NewsCenter) --- 33 applications have already been filed for mineral prospecting inside the Superior National Forest.
On Tuesday, the public got a chance to ask questions and voice concerns.
As expected, one of the most discussed issues was where this prospecting will take place and what effects it may have on the environment.
The proposed prospecting is very near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), but officials said Tuesday they would not accept applications for any prospecting within the limits of the BWCAW.
Last week, the U.S. Forest Service published a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) about prospecting the national forest, and that report can be found at the Superior National Forest web site.
Officials went on to mention that while the potential is there, this current proposal does not include actual mining in the Superior National Forest.
"Prospecting is different than mining," U.S. Forest Service official Kris Reichenbach said. "Prospecting is the exploration to get an idea of what kinds of minerals are available. Mining is the actual development and we're nowhere near that stage."
"This isn't about mining," Minnesota Mining Executive Director Frank Ongaro said. "This is about prospecting and exploration, and what the EIS is demonstrating is, what we've known all along, that there is no significant impact from this kind of activity."
U.S. Forest Service officials said Tuesday there have previously been prospecting projects within the Superior National Forest.
The biggest reason for the large number of applications this time around is the advanced technology companies can now use to find these hard rock minerals.
There are two more public open houses to be held this week concerning the possibility of prospecting in the Superior National Forest.
April 13 - 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Mesabi Range Community & Technical College - 1001 Chestnut St. West, Virginia, MN
April 14 - 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. - Harriet Alexander Nature Center - 2520 Dale St., Roseville, MN
Posted by Zach Schneider
zschneider@northlandsnewscenter.com
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