Public forum to address mining vs. water

(from news release)

There is a big question (and momentous decisions) that is already leading to bitter divisions among Minnesotans whether to allow copper-nickel mining in the Boundary Waters area of northern Minnesota and elsewhere.

That contentious topic will be examined from both sides when the St. Cloud League of Women Voters hosts a public forum from 1-2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13 at the Great River Regional Library (Mississippi Room), in St. Cloud. The library is located at 1300 W. St. Germain St.

The topic is timely as Minnesotans and other Americans seek to understand the benefits and the harmful effects of copper-nickel mining in advocating for a clean-energy economy, in reducing climate crisis and in protecting Minnesota’s clean water.

At the March 13 public forum, the two guest speakers will present their differing viewpoints in a non-adversarial manner.

One of those two guest speakers is Julie Lucas, a resident of Virginia, Minn., who is executive director of “MiningMinnesota,” a coalition of citizens and industry leaders who favor the responsible product of mineral resources in the state.

Lucas formerly was an environmental manager of the Hibbing Taconite Co. and director of Water Resources for Twin Metals Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

The other speaker will be Paula Maccabee, the executive director and counsel for “WaterLegacy,” a non-profit whose mission is to protect people from pollution and destruction. WaterLegacy is working to prevent harm from mining projects that are being proposed in the Boundary Waters area, as well as Lake Superior and the Mississippi River watershed areas.

Maccabee, a Yale Law School graduate, has a record of 44 years of public-advocacy work to protect Minnesota’s public health, safety, clean energy, environmental quality and justice issues.

Lia Lopez of Avon, a member of the League of Minnesota Women, will moderate the discussion. Each of the two guest speakers will have 20 minutes to speak, followed by 30 minutes of questions from the audience.

Beverages and snacks will be available at the end of the public forum when participants can continue their conversations.

Since 1920, the League of Women Voters has been a nonpartisan organization to encourage informed and active participation of citizens in government, as well as working to increase understanding of major public-policy issues.

For more information, contact Pia Lopez at: pialopez1958@gmail.com or 320-309-4630.