Talon has filed it’s version of the Tamarack Mining Project EAW, and what happens next is the DNR takes that, reviews and revises it, makes it more complete hopefully, and THEN it’s open for public comment.

It’s confusing, the MN Dept. of Natural Resources permitting and environmental review process when compared with the Public Utilities Commission’s process that I’m steeped in. I had to check with the DNR as it made no sense to me. So I asked around, I did, and got this response with these details:

The DNR’s webpage is up to date; the proposed Tamarack Mining Project is currently early in the scoping phase of the environmental impact statement (EIS) process. The June 23^rd environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) document you referenced is an EAW data submission by Talon Nickel. During EIS scoping, the DNR requests that the project proposer (Talon Nickel) submit information to the DNR in the EAW form; we call these “data submittals”. The DNR reviews the data submittal for completeness and if incomplete, returns the EAW data submittal for corrections along with comments. You can view the DNR’s comments from previous EAW data submittals on the DNR’s Tamarack Mining Project webpage under the Other DNR documents section. This step can include several rounds of back and forth between the DNR and the project proposer to obtain the necessary information.

While the EAW data submittals are available for the public to view, they are not open to public comment. Once the DNR determines that the EAW data submittal is complete, the DNR will develop and publish a DNR-version of the EAW, called a scoping EAW, along with a draft scoping decision document (containing the proposed scope of the EIS) for public review and comment for a minimum of 30 days. The public review period will also include at least one public meeting. These documents will be formally noticed in the EQB Monitor and published on the DNR’s Tamarack Mining Project webpage under the Scoping EAW and draft scoping decision document section.

The March 20^th Lands and Minerals news release you referenced is regarding an exploration plan that Talon Nickel submitted to the DNR to continue nonferrous mineral exploration on state leases in Aitkin and Carlton counties. This exploration plan is different than Talon Nickel’s proposed Tamarack Mining Project that is currently undergoing environmental review (described in the previous two paragraphs).

To be kept informed of the environmental review process for the proposed Tamarack Mining Project, I suggest signing up for email updates. By signing up you will receive updates on any new environmental review project documents available for public viewing, quarterly updates, and notice of formal comment periods. General information about the state’s environmental review process can be found on the Environmental Quality Board website.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.

Best,

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here’s their Environmental Assessment Worksheet:

In a rare recommendation of denial:

Here’s the recommendation for your reading enjoyment:

The application was filed on July 19, 2024 — it took just a few days shy of TWO YEARS to get to this point.

OAG-RUD’s briefs are always enlightening:

Funding withheld, funding cuts, staff layoffs… what could go wrong? Let’s see… Intense flooding in Texas, in New Mexico too… and all the tornadoes recently, even de Recho wind in northern MN… more flooding anticipated in North Carolina and surrounds from Tropical Storm Chantal.

Texas Flood Live Updates: At Least 59 Dead As Trump Signs Major Disaster Declaration

And after the disaster hits, how to recover?

The Trump administration says it wants to eliminate FEMA. Here’s what we know

Right…

Contact FEMA

Contact DHS Headquarters – Comment Line: 202-282-8495

White House Comment Line (hangs up!)

White House Contact Form

I’d sent a little statement of support after some Trump action, and got a postcard in the mail. That’s one list I’m glad to be on.

Now, back to today’s White House postcard… what on earth to say… maybe I’ll leave today’s blank.

What to say?

Independence Day?!?!

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

I’m running out of printable words to express what I want to say.

Same with phone calls.

Today is Friday, 4-5 pm in Red Wing we can say it with signs and our presence.