The environmental extremists opposing the PolyMet copper/nickel/precious metals project near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt just keep trying to move the goal posts.

They obviously don’t like losing in a fair contest. If they had the ball in this game they would pick it up and go home.

Non-ferrous mining opponents have aired a television ad that urges DFL Gov. Mark Dayton to intercede on their behalf in the Environmental Impact Statement process that is underway by co-lead agencies of the Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service. Those are some pretty heavy hitters for environmental assessment and analysis of a project.

The opponents’ ad closely followed a DNR finding last week that the PolyMet project would not significantly impact water quality.

So, that said, time for the extremists to try to change the rules of the game.

But Gov. Mark Dayton has been steadfast in his position of not taking a position on the issue until a final PolyMet EIS is complete.

The governor’s non-view yet on the issue has not always been well received by supporters of the project, including the Mesabi Daily News on our editorial pages.

There are a lot of jobs and economic development at stake with the PolyMet venture for the Iron Range, which consistently and for a long time has had a higher jobless rate than the rest of the state. And the recent mining layoffs of more than 1,000 Steelworkers only add to those woes.

But the governor has firmly said no personal opinion nor position from the governor’s office until the EIS document is done.

And now, to the governor’s credit, environmental extremists are hearing the same message.

“Until the final Environmental Impact Statement has been completed, received public comments, and finally issued later this year, the governor is remaining neutral and undecided about the proposed PolyMet project,” said Matt Swenson, the governor’s spokesman.

The Minnesota environmental review process is more than fair, diligent and extremely thorough. And it is working for all Minnesotans when it comes to the PolyMet project.

Except, of course, for the environmental extremists who would only be happy with no non-ferrous mining, and really, for many of them, no mining at all.

 

— Mesabi Daily News