Minnesota News & Action

National Campaigns

Join Your Local Millions Against Monsanto Chapter to Get Involved in World Food Day Events for 2012!

Minnesota Campaigns

Saving Wild Rice from Sulfide Mining Pollution

From WaterLegacy.org

Toxic wastewater from mines impairs naturally-occurring wild rice (manoomin).   Natural stands of wild rice have enormous ecological value in preserving water quality, reducing algae blooms, and providing habitat for fish and for wildfowl.  They also have enormous economic and cultural value to tribal and non-tribal "ricers".  

Already, discharge from taconite mines is the suspected cause of 100 river-miles of decimated wild rice in the St. Louis River watershed. Yet this is where PolyMet's copper-nickel sulfide mine would increase the severity of pollution.

The mining industry, represented by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, is actively engaged in a wide-ranging attack on water quality standards in Minnesota.  Industry representatives are promoting legislation to weaken standards; they are actively working within the rulemaking and permitting process to oppose enforcement of the rule protecting wild rice from sulfate pollution; and they have filed a lawsuit in state court to prevent application of the wild rice rule. WaterLegacy and our partners are actively working to counter this industry pressure to undermine water quality.

http://waterlegacy.org/wild_rice

Updated 4/14/11

Submit News Stories

Return to Top of Page