There is a potential environmental disaster looming over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The state of Minnesota is going to allow mining the BWCA. Not just the traditional type of mining that Minnesotans are acquainted with but non-ferrous sulfide, which, when rain runs off waste from this type of mining, creates sulfuric acid. That will cause long-term water pollution that will be very costly to clean up.

There is no solution to the pollution. If we allow this type of mining the rivers and streams and the underground water supplies will be polluted. The obvious solution is to not allow the mining, but the mining companies have promised to create 400 new jobs. The need for these jobs is undeniable, but are we willing to destroy a national treasure against the possibility of new jobs? If these waters get so polluted that tourists stop coming, how many jobs will be lost?

One thing you can bet the farm on: The taxpayers will be stuck with the bill for cleaning up this mess.

Dick Dixon

Austin