WaterLegacy

IMPORTANT READ from the Timberjay on the MPCA, mercury emissions, and Minntac:
"This isn’t a question of jobs versus the environment. U.S. Steel could afford to clean up its act and continue to operate. The company, however, would rather put the money it would cost to do so into the hands of shareholders. Those of us who live in the region are just supposed to accept more mercury in our fish.
When will state officials say enough is enough?"

Full text:

The MPCA and mercury - The Timberjay Here in Minnesota, we like to tell ourselves that we do a great job of protecting the environment. We pass strong laws and have good folks working at our regulatory agencies. It all seems reassuring. …

ACTION ALERT: The Air Emissions Permit for U.S. Steel Minntac is up for renewal. Minntac is one of the biggest mercury sources in Minnesota. But the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) now proposes to give Minntac a permit that would require NO mercury reductions and NO monitoring to trace the effects of Minntac mercury deposition on Minnesota waters!

Tell MPCA to require Minntac to reduce mercury air emissions and STOP poisoning Minnesota water and fish:
https://waterlegacy.org/minntac-air-comment/

READ Timberjay coverage of the MPCA's draft air emissions permit for U.S. Steel Minntac, including community concerns about the lack of enforcement to reduce mercury emissions:
https://www.timberjay.com/stories/untitled,30748

From the article:
"Mercury emissions, which contribute to fish consumption advisories, particularly in northeastern Minnesota, have increasingly become a sore point with anglers and tribes. A state rule, designated as 7007.0502, mandates strict mercury emission reduction plans for existing industrial facilities, but the MPCA has shown a consistent inability to prompt the state’s taconite industry to get on board with the new requirements. [...] [WaterLegacy Executive Director Paula] Maccabee said the state has authority to act, with or without the EPA. In fact, she says, the state rules don’t appear to give the MPCA discretion on the matter. “The rules say the reductions must happen. It’s not a goal. This isn’t an area where the MPCA has discretion to let Minntac off the hook. The rule is clear. The need is clear. We’re just looking for safer fish to eat.””

Proposed Minntac air permit lacks stricter mercury standards - The Timberjay REGIONAL — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking public comment through June 14 on a new draft air emissions permit for U.S. Steel’s Minntac taconite operation in Mt. Iron. Rave …

Using fish and water flea puppets, Andy Baldwin demonstrates the movement of mercury in the food web to 5th graders for a second year at the Itasca Youth Water Summit. Thank you Andy and thank you Itasca Waters for putting on such a great event!

Read Aitkin County- "Land of 554-plus boreholes" by Susan Derby and Lynn Anderson. Tamarack area residents have been subjected to Talon Metals/Rio Tinto drilling, roads through wetlands, noise, and pollution for decades.

LETTERS FROM READERS - 5-6-26 Aitkin County — ’The Land of 554-plus boreholes’