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Minnesotans Value Responsible Industry

PolyMet Appeal Statement: Better In Our Back Yard Supports Responsible Industry and Supports PolyMet

Better In Our Back Yard (BIOBY) supports PolyMet’s decision to file a petition for review to the Minnesota Supreme Court seeking to overturn the Court of Appeals decision announced earlier this week. The decision remanded the company’s Permit to Mine and dam safety permit to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for an unnecessary and time-consuming contested case hearing.

Monday’s decision also proposed a new rule that would have serious implications for our state’s permitting process and subsequent economic development. The new rule provides if there is any conflicting evidence on a material issue of fact—even if the agency previously considered the evidence —the agency is required to hold a contested case hearing. Instead of trusting the process, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has ensured that the permitting process will become more cumbersome and challenging for all future projects.

BIOBY trusts the 15 years of scientific work and analysis by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). As reported recently, a statement from the DNR, “Notably, the Court’s opinion does not draw conclusions about the validity of the scientific analyses underlying the DNR’s decisions. We remain confident in the solid foundation of our technical work.” Throughout the process, PolyMet has proven its commitment to responsible mining. Moving forward with the NorthMet Project is the right decision for Minnesota.

BIOBY will continue to maintain our support of industrial development in Minnesota and PolyMet’s continual advancement to operation and production.

PolyMet Stands Strong for Responsible Industry

Better In Our Back Yard (BIOBY) is disappointed in today’s announcement that the Minnesota Court of Appeals has reversed PolyMet’s DNR-issued permit to mine and dam safety permit and has ordered the DNR to hold an unnecessary and time-consuming contested case hearing.

This ruling completely disregards and disrespects nearly 15 years of careful scientific research and planning by both government agencies and PolyMet as a tedious evaluation of some of the strictest environmental regulations in the country have been reviewed to ensure the protection of our precious natural resources.

Now, because project opponents in the Twin Cities are committed to derailing industrial development and economic opportunity in northeast Minnesota, an already long process will be drawn out further – barring a successful appeal to the state High Court — as the agencies waste time conducting a contested case hearing to review permits and documentation that have already been closely scrutinized and approved.

Instead of trusting the process, the Minnesota Court of Appeals has ensured that the permitting process will become more uncertain, more cumbersome and more challenging for all future projects. This decision will have a negative impact on greater Minnesota and deter prospective investors from considering development in our state.

Better In Our Back Yard will continue to maintain our support of industrial development in Minnesota and PolyMet’s continual advancement to operation and production.