Saturday, June 30, 2007
As Clinton Flip-Flops, Where Does She Stand? - CommonDreams.org
Readers,
True of course reads the polls. Lately close to three-fourths of Americans don't like Bush, OR Congress, OR the war in Iraq.... Last November's elections were about getting out of Iraq. The Dems have wimped out. And we the people do NOT like it.
So what the hell is everybody falling over themselves to support Hillary's presidential run? She is the flip-flop Dem incarnate. She blows with the wind. She will vote for anything that will get her elected and she will promise anything to the rich who can fund her campaign.
How is that different from Dubya?
True
As Clinton Flip-Flops, Where Does She Stand? - CommonDreams.org
True of course reads the polls. Lately close to three-fourths of Americans don't like Bush, OR Congress, OR the war in Iraq.... Last November's elections were about getting out of Iraq. The Dems have wimped out. And we the people do NOT like it.
So what the hell is everybody falling over themselves to support Hillary's presidential run? She is the flip-flop Dem incarnate. She blows with the wind. She will vote for anything that will get her elected and she will promise anything to the rich who can fund her campaign.
How is that different from Dubya?
True
As Clinton Flip-Flops, Where Does She Stand? - CommonDreams.org
Friday, June 29, 2007
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Legislation to Combat Invasive Species Passed by Committee
Dear readers,
Rep. Jim Oberstar scores again. Follow the link. AND think about the visit of Norm Coleman next week, looking for votes. This apologist for Bushco thinks we will re-elect him on the border passport issue and belatedly poses as poster child for Ham Lake fire recovery. Would he know an invasive species if it socked him in the eye? Where does he stand on live firing in the Great Lakes? How can he justify his lock-step yes votes for every Bushco policy or proposal anywhere in our world that is bloodied by this administration?
Please, civility is always appropriate but don't give Bush apologist Coleman your trust.
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Legislation to Combat Invasive Species Passed by Committee
Rep. Jim Oberstar scores again. Follow the link. AND think about the visit of Norm Coleman next week, looking for votes. This apologist for Bushco thinks we will re-elect him on the border passport issue and belatedly poses as poster child for Ham Lake fire recovery. Would he know an invasive species if it socked him in the eye? Where does he stand on live firing in the Great Lakes? How can he justify his lock-step yes votes for every Bushco policy or proposal anywhere in our world that is bloodied by this administration?
Please, civility is always appropriate but don't give Bush apologist Coleman your trust.
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Legislation to Combat Invasive Species Passed by Committee
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The breast cancer shell game: one in eight
Dear True,
Like most all women I am terrified of breast cancer. I’m a glutton for every news story about the latest research and that’s how I know about the shell game: a con trick that deceives the eye and hides the ball under movable walnut shells. The mark has to guess, based on deceptive information.
One in eight women will have it. Like every other person on the planet I have lost beloved friends and relatives to this dreadful disease that devours the necessary equipment designed to nurture babies and goes on in many cases to metastasize either sooner or later. I also have a treasury of friends who are survivors, and looking at those who survived and those who perished it seems like a lottery.
Evaluating the conventional wisdom that every woman hears from her doc: do self-examinations, have mammograms, it is readily apparent that neither technique does an even adequate job.
Mammograms catch about 80 percent of cancerous tumors according to one study, by any measure not good enough. Self-examinations are fraught with terror and error. As one who has the so-called “fibrocystic breast disease” which means lumpy breasts, I never have a clue about where a real, hard lump might be hiding beneath the constantly movable cysts. Still I am told that I should keep doing the self-exams. Pfui. The last time I went for a doc appointment based on my self-exam many years ago the (female) doc told me, in essence, that I was deluded. “Pt feels lump” was written in my chart.
Some say that breast X-rays for women in their 40’s could cause more harm than good. Others (American Cancer Society) ask for annual MRI’s for women “at high risk for breast cancer.” But the same study adds that too many women perceive themselves at overly high risk. Say WHAT? In other words, women are overly fearful of breast cancer without good reason. What is good reason? The “risk” factors are absurd, at least in absence of DNA work. Mother or sister with breast cancer? Hmm, it seems now that Dad’s genes are just as potent as killers. And what of those who are adopted, or have no sisters? Too bad for them.
MRI imaging is by far the most accurate method of finding cancerous lumps. But the corporate health care system decrees that only the “highest risk” candidates deserve this expensive diagnosis. The official excuses for not making the MRI universally available? It costs too much (of course)… but the one that really bugs me is this: it has too many false positives (5 percent) that cause psychological damage to the women.
Hello, hello? NO woman on this earth would prefer a false positive to a false negative. If there is a way to routinely catch the cancers in their earliest stage with great accuracy, there is NO excuse to withhold it from the women like me who don’t make it to the highest risk categories. We can deal with the false positive, trust me on this…. I live with personal false positives all the time with my “diseased” breasts.
In 1990 I lost one I loved a lot, who had thought she was cured. The conventional wisdom at the time was that lumpectomy was as good as mastectomy, now discredited. Within a month after a “clean” CAT scan following chemo and radiation, she was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer and she lived only six more months.
So many of us have died. Others struggle to survive. A woman in Cook County has advanced breast cancer despite her annual mammograms; it was just very fast-growing. I demand ZERO TOLERANCE for shell games, for who gets the lucky dice and the state-of-the art tests. “Significant” family history? Does it include aunts on both sides, as in my case? Probably not. Anyway nobody has offered me a genetic test or biopsy or MRI.
Zero tolerance for me means, not allowing any woman to die because of the health insurance shell game, ably enabled by the sensational press. Or, as in my case, because I don’t have any health insurance at all.
It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t other options that work better, but there most definitely ARE. MRI is only one. There are several types of breast cancer, and I have checked out Wikipedia to learn more and so, my dear woman friend and sister, can you. Learn about the five stages, Zero through Four, gene expression profiling, a baffling array of treatment and prevention options including double mastectomy for those at highest risk, radiation, and systemic therapy including chemo or hormones like tamoxifen. Wikipedia says that some “natural” remedies like flaxseed or traditional Chinese medicine may be beneficial. What do you know about “viral” breast cancer? The confusing and contradictory studies of risk factors like diet, alcohol use, X-ray mammography and a bewildering array of other possibly insignificant variables?
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
Here are a couple of links you can explore first:
In New Cancer Guideline, a Host of Uncertainties - New York Times
Benefits of Mammograms For Women in 40s Challenged - washingtonpost.com
Like most all women I am terrified of breast cancer. I’m a glutton for every news story about the latest research and that’s how I know about the shell game: a con trick that deceives the eye and hides the ball under movable walnut shells. The mark has to guess, based on deceptive information.
One in eight women will have it. Like every other person on the planet I have lost beloved friends and relatives to this dreadful disease that devours the necessary equipment designed to nurture babies and goes on in many cases to metastasize either sooner or later. I also have a treasury of friends who are survivors, and looking at those who survived and those who perished it seems like a lottery.
Evaluating the conventional wisdom that every woman hears from her doc: do self-examinations, have mammograms, it is readily apparent that neither technique does an even adequate job.
Mammograms catch about 80 percent of cancerous tumors according to one study, by any measure not good enough. Self-examinations are fraught with terror and error. As one who has the so-called “fibrocystic breast disease” which means lumpy breasts, I never have a clue about where a real, hard lump might be hiding beneath the constantly movable cysts. Still I am told that I should keep doing the self-exams. Pfui. The last time I went for a doc appointment based on my self-exam many years ago the (female) doc told me, in essence, that I was deluded. “Pt feels lump” was written in my chart.
Some say that breast X-rays for women in their 40’s could cause more harm than good. Others (American Cancer Society) ask for annual MRI’s for women “at high risk for breast cancer.” But the same study adds that too many women perceive themselves at overly high risk. Say WHAT? In other words, women are overly fearful of breast cancer without good reason. What is good reason? The “risk” factors are absurd, at least in absence of DNA work. Mother or sister with breast cancer? Hmm, it seems now that Dad’s genes are just as potent as killers. And what of those who are adopted, or have no sisters? Too bad for them.
MRI imaging is by far the most accurate method of finding cancerous lumps. But the corporate health care system decrees that only the “highest risk” candidates deserve this expensive diagnosis. The official excuses for not making the MRI universally available? It costs too much (of course)… but the one that really bugs me is this: it has too many false positives (5 percent) that cause psychological damage to the women.
Hello, hello? NO woman on this earth would prefer a false positive to a false negative. If there is a way to routinely catch the cancers in their earliest stage with great accuracy, there is NO excuse to withhold it from the women like me who don’t make it to the highest risk categories. We can deal with the false positive, trust me on this…. I live with personal false positives all the time with my “diseased” breasts.
In 1990 I lost one I loved a lot, who had thought she was cured. The conventional wisdom at the time was that lumpectomy was as good as mastectomy, now discredited. Within a month after a “clean” CAT scan following chemo and radiation, she was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer and she lived only six more months.
So many of us have died. Others struggle to survive. A woman in Cook County has advanced breast cancer despite her annual mammograms; it was just very fast-growing. I demand ZERO TOLERANCE for shell games, for who gets the lucky dice and the state-of-the art tests. “Significant” family history? Does it include aunts on both sides, as in my case? Probably not. Anyway nobody has offered me a genetic test or biopsy or MRI.
Zero tolerance for me means, not allowing any woman to die because of the health insurance shell game, ably enabled by the sensational press. Or, as in my case, because I don’t have any health insurance at all.
It wouldn’t be so bad if there weren’t other options that work better, but there most definitely ARE. MRI is only one. There are several types of breast cancer, and I have checked out Wikipedia to learn more and so, my dear woman friend and sister, can you. Learn about the five stages, Zero through Four, gene expression profiling, a baffling array of treatment and prevention options including double mastectomy for those at highest risk, radiation, and systemic therapy including chemo or hormones like tamoxifen. Wikipedia says that some “natural” remedies like flaxseed or traditional Chinese medicine may be beneficial. What do you know about “viral” breast cancer? The confusing and contradictory studies of risk factors like diet, alcohol use, X-ray mammography and a bewildering array of other possibly insignificant variables?
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
Here are a couple of links you can explore first:
In New Cancer Guideline, a Host of Uncertainties - New York Times
Benefits of Mammograms For Women in 40s Challenged - washingtonpost.com
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Oberstar defends habeas corpus
Dear True,
I'm one of those pesky people who is always writing letters to politicians or signing petitions. The only one who ever sends me personal replies is our own Jim Oberstar.
I am passing along the letter I received today about preserving the essential constitutional protection of habeas corpus:
Ms. Nancye Belding
P.O. Box 247
Grand Marais, Minnesota 55604-0247
Dear Ms. Belding:
Thank you for your expression of support for the restoration of habeas corpus rights for non-U.S. citizens. I agree that habeas corpus is a critical protection against arbitrary detention and is a fundamental human right.
I am pleased to advise you that I have cosponsored H.R. 1416, the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act, as well as H.R. 1415, the Restoring the Constitution Act. Both bills were introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and seek to restore habeas corpus for individuals detained by the United States. H.R. 1416 seeks to repeal provisions of the Military Commissions Act that eliminates the jurisdiction of any court to hear or consider applications for writ of habeas corpus filed by detainees. H.R. 1415 is more comprehensive and provides for expedited judicial review of civil actions that challenge any provision of the Military Commissions Act. Both bills have been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Armed Services for consideration. Companion bills are pending in the U.S. Senate.
I opposed the Military Commissions Act in 2006 because I believed the law violates constitutional protections and denied detainees habeas corpus rights. However, in February 2007 a federal appeals court ruled that Congress acted within its authority in barring legal challenges in U.S. courts from detainees imprisoned by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Congress now has a unique opportunity, as well as a duty, to restore vital habeas corpus rights through passage of H.R. 1416 and H.R. 1415.
Rest assured that I will continue to support legislation that ensures the protection of individuals' due process rights.
If you would like to receive periodic e-mail updates on issues before Congress, please visit my Web site, www.house.gov/oberstar, and go to "subscribe."
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar, M.C.
I'm one of those pesky people who is always writing letters to politicians or signing petitions. The only one who ever sends me personal replies is our own Jim Oberstar.
I am passing along the letter I received today about preserving the essential constitutional protection of habeas corpus:
Ms. Nancye Belding
P.O. Box 247
Grand Marais, Minnesota 55604-0247
Dear Ms. Belding:
Thank you for your expression of support for the restoration of habeas corpus rights for non-U.S. citizens. I agree that habeas corpus is a critical protection against arbitrary detention and is a fundamental human right.
I am pleased to advise you that I have cosponsored H.R. 1416, the Habeas Corpus Restoration Act, as well as H.R. 1415, the Restoring the Constitution Act. Both bills were introduced by Rep. Jerrold Nadler and seek to restore habeas corpus for individuals detained by the United States. H.R. 1416 seeks to repeal provisions of the Military Commissions Act that eliminates the jurisdiction of any court to hear or consider applications for writ of habeas corpus filed by detainees. H.R. 1415 is more comprehensive and provides for expedited judicial review of civil actions that challenge any provision of the Military Commissions Act. Both bills have been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Armed Services for consideration. Companion bills are pending in the U.S. Senate.
I opposed the Military Commissions Act in 2006 because I believed the law violates constitutional protections and denied detainees habeas corpus rights. However, in February 2007 a federal appeals court ruled that Congress acted within its authority in barring legal challenges in U.S. courts from detainees imprisoned by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Congress now has a unique opportunity, as well as a duty, to restore vital habeas corpus rights through passage of H.R. 1416 and H.R. 1415.
Rest assured that I will continue to support legislation that ensures the protection of individuals' due process rights.
If you would like to receive periodic e-mail updates on issues before Congress, please visit my Web site, www.house.gov/oberstar, and go to "subscribe."
With best wishes.
Sincerely,
James L. Oberstar, M.C.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Better living through electricity in the 21st century
Dear True,
When I was a kid in the 1950's "Better Living Through Electricity" was a watch word. In class we saw movies made by General Electric about the wonders of dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and even vacuum cleaners that transformed the life of the family.
There's been a lot of water over the dam in the last half-century or so. We've learned about global warming, carbon dioxide emissions, dirty plants that rely on filthy coal, and the terrible risks of nuclear energy. We've been told to decrease our carbon footprint on the earth, and to start by buying new light bulbs. We've done our best but blaming the victims doesn't really solve the problem.
We've been fed a fat lot of fluff about .... for example, the Minnesota Power cutting edge technology to reduce the damage from its Tac Harbor coal plant emissions which does not address the crucial issue of using coal in the first place.
Anyway, to the point. Yesterday the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission announced a day-long shutdown of power in the west end of its service district.
I am a recipient of power in this district. I am given to understand that power will be shut off during at least 10 hours of the day tomorrow.
Insult to injury? Also yesterday the PUC invaded my land and cut down trees, more trees than we had agreed upon, in order to allow their Bobcat access to my power line. I was still grieving for the loss of my trees, and for the destruction of my footpath to the power line.
When I realized that a path at least double the four feet I agreed to had been cleared, leaving no vegetation or trees between my cabin and the power line, it was too late. My personally owned woods were utterly destroyed.
So. To proceed to tomorrow, when the PUC has announced its intention to cut off my power for at least 10 hours beginning at 9 a.m.
What can possibly justify such a long shutdown?
I am the unfortunate victim of the Better Living lobby; I can't do a single damn thing without electric power. I can't brew a cup of coffee, or give well water to my pets to drink, or cook on my stove, or turn on a fan, or work at my computer, or make a phone call, or check my email, or ensure the safety of the food in my refrigerator, or even tell the time. My friends and clients won't be able to reach me...
Some years back the PUC trashed the residents of Rec Park and demanded fantastic fee increases. They got away with it despite letters to the papers from dozens of long-term summer friends. This in fact was a gambit in a larger play to get rid of Rec Park and replace it with a super-sized marina, which thanks to our new and wise City Council has failed. Cheers to the new City Council!
Still. Today I am only writing to protest the 10-plus hours in which I can neither work nor eat nor drink water nor cook nor wash nor use the accoutrements of my home office business.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
When I was a kid in the 1950's "Better Living Through Electricity" was a watch word. In class we saw movies made by General Electric about the wonders of dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, and even vacuum cleaners that transformed the life of the family.
There's been a lot of water over the dam in the last half-century or so. We've learned about global warming, carbon dioxide emissions, dirty plants that rely on filthy coal, and the terrible risks of nuclear energy. We've been told to decrease our carbon footprint on the earth, and to start by buying new light bulbs. We've done our best but blaming the victims doesn't really solve the problem.
We've been fed a fat lot of fluff about .... for example, the Minnesota Power cutting edge technology to reduce the damage from its Tac Harbor coal plant emissions which does not address the crucial issue of using coal in the first place.
Anyway, to the point. Yesterday the Grand Marais Public Utilities Commission announced a day-long shutdown of power in the west end of its service district.
I am a recipient of power in this district. I am given to understand that power will be shut off during at least 10 hours of the day tomorrow.
Insult to injury? Also yesterday the PUC invaded my land and cut down trees, more trees than we had agreed upon, in order to allow their Bobcat access to my power line. I was still grieving for the loss of my trees, and for the destruction of my footpath to the power line.
When I realized that a path at least double the four feet I agreed to had been cleared, leaving no vegetation or trees between my cabin and the power line, it was too late. My personally owned woods were utterly destroyed.
So. To proceed to tomorrow, when the PUC has announced its intention to cut off my power for at least 10 hours beginning at 9 a.m.
What can possibly justify such a long shutdown?
I am the unfortunate victim of the Better Living lobby; I can't do a single damn thing without electric power. I can't brew a cup of coffee, or give well water to my pets to drink, or cook on my stove, or turn on a fan, or work at my computer, or make a phone call, or check my email, or ensure the safety of the food in my refrigerator, or even tell the time. My friends and clients won't be able to reach me...
Some years back the PUC trashed the residents of Rec Park and demanded fantastic fee increases. They got away with it despite letters to the papers from dozens of long-term summer friends. This in fact was a gambit in a larger play to get rid of Rec Park and replace it with a super-sized marina, which thanks to our new and wise City Council has failed. Cheers to the new City Council!
Still. Today I am only writing to protest the 10-plus hours in which I can neither work nor eat nor drink water nor cook nor wash nor use the accoutrements of my home office business.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
Monday, June 25, 2007
Audubon Warns of Decline in Some Bird Populations - CommonDreams.org
Birders, beware! Follow this link and follow your hearts.
True
Audubon Warns of Decline in Some Bird Populations - CommonDreams.org
True
Audubon Warns of Decline in Some Bird Populations - CommonDreams.org
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Maureen Dowd | A Vice President Without Borders, Bordering on Lunacy
Here is True's blog pick for today.... Cheney being smarter than Bush (despite flunking out of Yale while Daddy's boy sailed through on Daddy's largesse), he is a much greater danger to the republic and the constitution.....
I wish people would wake up and act against the neocon terrorists who are destroying all that the nation has stood for. It's a replay of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
True
Maureen Dowd A Vice President Without Borders, Bordering on Lunacy
I wish people would wake up and act against the neocon terrorists who are destroying all that the nation has stood for. It's a replay of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.
True
Maureen Dowd A Vice President Without Borders, Bordering on Lunacy
Friday, June 22, 2007
If Reid Were Rove - CommonDreams.org
Dear readers,
This is in True's opinon an exceptional commentary on the state of politics in the United States. We know an overwhelming majority give bad marks to both parties but let's look at some of the reasons. True is a progressive, NOT a Dem, but has felt stuck with the Dems as the lesser evil:
If Reid Were Rove - CommonDreams.org
This is in True's opinon an exceptional commentary on the state of politics in the United States. We know an overwhelming majority give bad marks to both parties but let's look at some of the reasons. True is a progressive, NOT a Dem, but has felt stuck with the Dems as the lesser evil:
If Reid Were Rove - CommonDreams.org
Mea culpa
Dear True,
I don’t know what came over me. How could I be so presumptuous as to not only have an opinion on the ATV issue, but to actually express it? I ignored the rule that those who own ATVs can arrogate the right of freedom of speech, excluding it from us unwashed villains. We can never forget that they receive a special certificate in the owner’s packet when they buy their ATV; it elevates them well above us pedestrian U. S. citizens. I should have anticipated the hang-up phone calls, the threatening silent stares, and the letters of public personal attack from the county’s new nobility, those entitled ladies and gentlemen of the local ATV leadership, our new world order!
However, in the long tradition of uppity peasants everywhere, and with absolute certainty of bringing on more of the same for daring to again offend our ATV overlords, I proffer that it is clear the local ATV leadership, and their hangers on, flout the law regarding riding ATVs on roadways, while flaunting disdain for normal standards of decent behavior, civil discourse, and public argument. This shows how far local ATV leaders have fallen from the “speak-your-peace” wagon in their pursuit of happiness – theirs alone, that is.
I, for one, want everyone to be happy. If your nirvana is riding your ATV around your place and not infringing on your neighbor’s right to enjoy their own property, have at it. Slap on your grin and let ‘er rip. Flip it, roll it, or slam it into your tree, or your rock, or your ditch. It’s your life to give on the altar of whatever stupidity you may care to worship. Most would agree that is your right. But, to ride elsewhere than your own property is a privilege. It is a privilege that can only be carved from the rights of a majority who do not want to hear your noise or smell your fumes, and do not share your delusions, happy or otherwise.
Is there anything inherently wrong with ATVs? No, the problem is not the ATV, but the ATVer. ATVs don’t kill, but, though most ATVers don’t either, way too many of them do. Ready evidence, statistics, and accident records prove it.
ATVers kill wetlands, waterways, and watersheds. They kill the quiet of the woods and of the byways. They kill the peace of the trails and of the community, whether audible or civil. They kill flora and fauna. They kill drivers of, and passengers in, other vehicles. They kill pedestrians. They kill themselves. Often they kill their passengers, and too often those passengers are their own children.
Sometimes they kill due to ignorance, sometimes due to inebriation, sometimes due to recklessness and carelessness, and sometimes due to inanity. And, why do ATVers so often turn their ATVs loose in the hands of children who have neither the wisdom, strength, or experience to handle an ATV rationally or safely, risking both the child driver and whoever that child may encounter, on or off the road?
Most of this damage, death, and tragedy results from the violation of reasonable regulations, or from lack of common sense, yet the local ATV leaders want still more, boasting that their goal is to be able to freely ride ATVs on every roadway in the county. The incredible part of this is that they make their demands amidst evidence and admissions of their own criminal ATV riding. I guess grinning scofflaws have immunity, since not one that I know of has been charged for this behavior, or for that matter, for any of the other, all too common, ATV violations we are all aware of. Where is our law enforcement? And, where is the common sense of the broader ATV community and of those officials considering giving in to these bullies for more, more, and more?
There are good, civil, law abiding folks riding ATVs in Cook County, and I believe they are likely in a majority, but they have leaders who boast of their own illegal acts, and that makes you wonder what the future will bring should the county and state grant them any further privileges. It certainly won’t be civility, quiet, and peace.
It is now clear that the “speak-your-peace” wagon has been dragged out of town by an ATV, with the driver grinning and waving, and likely down the center of the road. If we know what’s good for us, all us uppity peasants better keep to the ditches, be quiet, and humbly eat our cake.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
I don’t know what came over me. How could I be so presumptuous as to not only have an opinion on the ATV issue, but to actually express it? I ignored the rule that those who own ATVs can arrogate the right of freedom of speech, excluding it from us unwashed villains. We can never forget that they receive a special certificate in the owner’s packet when they buy their ATV; it elevates them well above us pedestrian U. S. citizens. I should have anticipated the hang-up phone calls, the threatening silent stares, and the letters of public personal attack from the county’s new nobility, those entitled ladies and gentlemen of the local ATV leadership, our new world order!
However, in the long tradition of uppity peasants everywhere, and with absolute certainty of bringing on more of the same for daring to again offend our ATV overlords, I proffer that it is clear the local ATV leadership, and their hangers on, flout the law regarding riding ATVs on roadways, while flaunting disdain for normal standards of decent behavior, civil discourse, and public argument. This shows how far local ATV leaders have fallen from the “speak-your-peace” wagon in their pursuit of happiness – theirs alone, that is.
I, for one, want everyone to be happy. If your nirvana is riding your ATV around your place and not infringing on your neighbor’s right to enjoy their own property, have at it. Slap on your grin and let ‘er rip. Flip it, roll it, or slam it into your tree, or your rock, or your ditch. It’s your life to give on the altar of whatever stupidity you may care to worship. Most would agree that is your right. But, to ride elsewhere than your own property is a privilege. It is a privilege that can only be carved from the rights of a majority who do not want to hear your noise or smell your fumes, and do not share your delusions, happy or otherwise.
Is there anything inherently wrong with ATVs? No, the problem is not the ATV, but the ATVer. ATVs don’t kill, but, though most ATVers don’t either, way too many of them do. Ready evidence, statistics, and accident records prove it.
ATVers kill wetlands, waterways, and watersheds. They kill the quiet of the woods and of the byways. They kill the peace of the trails and of the community, whether audible or civil. They kill flora and fauna. They kill drivers of, and passengers in, other vehicles. They kill pedestrians. They kill themselves. Often they kill their passengers, and too often those passengers are their own children.
Sometimes they kill due to ignorance, sometimes due to inebriation, sometimes due to recklessness and carelessness, and sometimes due to inanity. And, why do ATVers so often turn their ATVs loose in the hands of children who have neither the wisdom, strength, or experience to handle an ATV rationally or safely, risking both the child driver and whoever that child may encounter, on or off the road?
Most of this damage, death, and tragedy results from the violation of reasonable regulations, or from lack of common sense, yet the local ATV leaders want still more, boasting that their goal is to be able to freely ride ATVs on every roadway in the county. The incredible part of this is that they make their demands amidst evidence and admissions of their own criminal ATV riding. I guess grinning scofflaws have immunity, since not one that I know of has been charged for this behavior, or for that matter, for any of the other, all too common, ATV violations we are all aware of. Where is our law enforcement? And, where is the common sense of the broader ATV community and of those officials considering giving in to these bullies for more, more, and more?
There are good, civil, law abiding folks riding ATVs in Cook County, and I believe they are likely in a majority, but they have leaders who boast of their own illegal acts, and that makes you wonder what the future will bring should the county and state grant them any further privileges. It certainly won’t be civility, quiet, and peace.
It is now clear that the “speak-your-peace” wagon has been dragged out of town by an ATV, with the driver grinning and waving, and likely down the center of the road. If we know what’s good for us, all us uppity peasants better keep to the ditches, be quiet, and humbly eat our cake.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Why am I not surprised?
Dear True,
I have been reading with interest the recent posts that taconite dust can cause cancer and that the public officials charged with public safety have withheld this information from workers.
Hmm, I just have one comment. This concerns the statements by some powers that be that there is no reason to suspect any culprit other than asbestos in the killer cancer.
I am a descendant of Appalachian coal miners from the Kentucky mountains. From my earliest memories I heard about "black lung disease." The lungs turn black from exposure to coal dust. Let's not quibble about coal, taconite, or asbestos. They all are poisonous.
Duh, it seems like a no-brainer to me. In the 50 years since my childhood, other poisons have entered the environment freely and what was once "only" a lung affliction has now turned to the deadliest cancer.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
I have been reading with interest the recent posts that taconite dust can cause cancer and that the public officials charged with public safety have withheld this information from workers.
Hmm, I just have one comment. This concerns the statements by some powers that be that there is no reason to suspect any culprit other than asbestos in the killer cancer.
I am a descendant of Appalachian coal miners from the Kentucky mountains. From my earliest memories I heard about "black lung disease." The lungs turn black from exposure to coal dust. Let's not quibble about coal, taconite, or asbestos. They all are poisonous.
Duh, it seems like a no-brainer to me. In the 50 years since my childhood, other poisons have entered the environment freely and what was once "only" a lung affliction has now turned to the deadliest cancer.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
Cheney Power Grab: Says White House Rules Don’t Apply to Him - CommonDreams.org
How remarkable. Bushco has authorized war under false intelligence, torture, spying on Americans, signing statements refusing to obey the law, unprecedented corporate corruption disguised as no-bid government contracts, refusal to obey the Bill of Rights including separation of church and state and freedom of the press.... the list goes on, but True is stunned by Cheney's latest: the rules do not apply to him.
Still, a guy who can shoot his pal with impunity, a guy who can trash gay rights even though his daughter is a lesbian, a guy who can plot against Americans who just might vote against him.... well, what else might we expect?
Declaration of being Emperor is just the next step.
Cheney Power Grab: Says White House Rules Don’t Apply to Him - CommonDreams.org
Still, a guy who can shoot his pal with impunity, a guy who can trash gay rights even though his daughter is a lesbian, a guy who can plot against Americans who just might vote against him.... well, what else might we expect?
Declaration of being Emperor is just the next step.
Cheney Power Grab: Says White House Rules Don’t Apply to Him - CommonDreams.org
True tabs
Dear readers,
Let's face it; True is getting too big. A long story takes up too much space on the blog.
SO, we are working on issuing more "labels": in the past these have been fairly generic, like "environment" or "cook county."
As we get more specific, readers can click on our labels and see EVERY single post related to that label.... Actually readers can do the same thing now, but if you click "environment" you will have way more posts than you probably want to read.
Please bear with us. We are all volunteers. We wish we had a better website but must work with our blogger.
Thanks so much,
True
Let's face it; True is getting too big. A long story takes up too much space on the blog.
SO, we are working on issuing more "labels": in the past these have been fairly generic, like "environment" or "cook county."
As we get more specific, readers can click on our labels and see EVERY single post related to that label.... Actually readers can do the same thing now, but if you click "environment" you will have way more posts than you probably want to read.
Please bear with us. We are all volunteers. We wish we had a better website but must work with our blogger.
Thanks so much,
True
Dirty Mines? Mine water quality predictions often wrong
Dear readers,
Please bear with us on mining pollution, it ultimately affects the North Shore in a multitude of ways. To name only one: the filthy use of coal in the power generation that provides our electricity.
True
By CHRISTOPHER SMITH Associated Press, December 7, 2006
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Conservationists say water quality predictions prepared by federal land management agencies as part of the permitting process for precious metal mines during the past 25 years were routinely off the mark in concluding the mines would not cause water pollution.
"When we compared the government's predictions with actual water quality reports we found the predictions did not generally agree with reality," said Ann Maest, a water quality geochemist from Boulder, Colo., who co-authored the study released Thursday by the Washington, D.C.-based conservation group Earthworks. "Over three-quarters of the mines we reviewed in detail had pollution exceedances over water quality standards.
"Mining industry officials said they were still reviewing the conservation group's analysis, but questioned \n the inclusion of mines in the study that went bust, were abandoned \n and may not have been built to agreed-upon environmental protection standards."There may be some things in this report that we certainly need to act upon, but it looks to me like a quarter of the mines they decided to look at are abandoned and that may be a little unfair," said Carol Raulston of the National Mining Association in Washington. "There are some mines in their database that are not characteristic of modern mining."
James Kuipers, a Butte, Mont., mining engineer who also authored the conservationists' study, said the findings that water quality protection predictions seldom hold true should prompt regulators to better scrutinize proposals for new mines, including northeast Washington state's Buckhorn gold mine, and the gold and copper Pebble mine in Alaska.
"Mines like the Rosemont copper mine in Arizona and the Atlanta gold mine in Idaho, at least as they are presently being proposed, appear to suffer from many of the same failures as those that were permitted years ago," he said. Kuipers compared the proposed Atlanta mine to the closed Zortman-Landusky mining complex in northern Montana, where taxpayers must foot the bill for treating contaminated water for decades to come.
Atlanta wants to use cyanide to leach gold from the ore left from old mines on a tributary upstream from the Boise River. Environmental groups have warned it could pollute the source of drinking water, irrigation and recreation for the state's most populous river valley.",
"The \n Boise River is more precious than gold," said John Robison of the \n Idaho Conservation League.Many of the failures of the water \n quality predictions in the permit-approval studies were due to \n regulators ignoring previous experiences with hard rock mines, \n relying on private consultants who have a bias toward satisfying \n mining clients and failing to take adequate samples to determine \n overall impacts, Maest said."At the proposed Rock Creek Mine \n in Montana, under a designated wilderness area, they have used only \n a handful of ore and waste samples from the site to predict the \n amount of acid drainage," she said. "They need to look at more \n samples."Raulston said the mining industry has launched an \n acid drainage initiative to find ways to better prevent the \n discharge of acidic pollutants and heavy metals such as arsenic, \n cadmium, mercury and lead that are leached out of rock during mining \n and can be deadly to stream ecosystems. And, modern mines are \n continually monitoring water quality and adjusting operations to \n prevent pollution discharge, she said."They are required to \n look at what is happening on the ground and recalibrate those \n prediction models if the assumptions don\'t match what they are \n seeing," she said. "This notion that these prediction models are \n faith-based initiatives is just not something that really happens in \n our experience."___On the Net:Earthworks \n mine water quality report: http://www.mine-aid.org/National \n Mining Association: ",1]
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"The Boise River is more precious than gold," said John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League.Many of the failures of the water quality predictions in the permit-approval studies were due to regulators ignoring previous experiences with hard rock mines, relying on private consultants who have a bias toward satisfying mining clients and failing to take adequate samples to determine overall impacts, Maest said."At the proposed Rock Creek Mine in Montana, under a designated wilderness area, they have used only a handful of ore and waste samples from the site to predict the amount of acid drainage," she said. "They need to look at more samples."Raulston said the mining industry has launched an acid drainage initiative to find ways to better prevent the discharge of acidic pollutants and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead that are leached out of rock during mining and can be deadly to stream ecosystems. And, modern mines are continually monitoring water quality and adjusting operations to prevent pollution discharge, she said."They are required to look at what is happening on the ground and recalibrate those prediction models if the assumptions don't match what they are seeing," she said. "This notion that these prediction models are faith-based initiatives is just not something that really happens in our experience."___On the Net:Earthworks mine water quality report: http://www.mine-aid.org/National Mining Association:
http://www.nma.org/\n \n http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53303.html#\n \n \n http://www.mine-aid.org/\n Groundbreaking research indicates the mine \n permitting process is \n broken.\n \n Dec 7 -- \n New scientific research unveiled \n today finds that faulty water \n quality predictions and regulatory failures result in the approval \n of mines that create significant water pollution problems at \n more than three quarters of mines studied. \n \n \n The first-of-a-kind reports, Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water \n Quality at Hardrock Mines, and Predicting \n Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art",1]
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http://www.nma.org/
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53303.html#
http://www.mine-aid.org/
Groundbreaking research indicates the mine permitting process is broken.
Dec 7 -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that faulty water quality predictions and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution problems at more than three quarters of mines studied.
The first-of-a-kind reports, Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines, and Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art
, by Jim Kuipers, \n P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality \n predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted \n in the United States during the last 25 years. \n A white paper authored by EARTHWORKS, \n Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock \n Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good \n Practice summarizes these reports and \n provides policy recommendations for \n regulators.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNOTE: These reports are embargoed until 12/7. By \ndownloading these reports, you are agreeing not to distribute/share/publicize \nthem until that date.\n\n Comparison \n of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock \n MinesThe reliability of predictions in Environmental \n Impact Statements(1,418KB pdf document. Right click to \n save to your hard drive) \n Predicting \n Water Quality at Hardrock MinesMethods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art(1,005KB pdf \n document. Right click to save to your hard drive)",1]
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, by Jim Kuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the United States during the last 25 years.
A white paper authored by EARTHWORKS, Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good Practice summarizes these reports and provides policy recommendations for regulators.
NOTE: These reports are embargoed until 12/7. By downloading these reports, you are agreeing not to distribute/share/publicize them until that date.
Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock MinesThe reliability of predictions in Environmental Impact Statements(1,418KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive)
Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock MinesMethods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art(1,005KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive)
\n Predicting \n Water Quality Problems at Hardrock MinesA Failure of \n Science, Oversight, and Good PracticeAn EARTHWORKS white paper \n summarizing and analyzing the groundbreaking studies by Ann Maest PhD and Jim \n Kuipers, P.E. (350KB pdf document. Right click to save to \n your hard drive.) \n Independent \n reviewers of the research and conferences where the research has been \n prsented.(A 12KB pdf document. Right click to \n save to your hard drive.) \n Major \n mine databaseData on all mines considered for inclusion in \n the Maest-Kuipers research.(A 2.5MB excel workbook. Right \n click to save to your hard drive.) \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \nhttp://www.earthworksaction.org/PR_KuipersMaest.cfm#KMREPORTS\n \n \n2006 Press Releases \nNew Scientific Research Reveals Widespread Failure to Keep \nMines from Polluting Water",1]
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Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock MinesA Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good PracticeAn EARTHWORKS white paper summarizing and analyzing the groundbreaking studies by Ann Maest PhD and Jim Kuipers, P.E. (350KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
Independent reviewers of the research and conferences where the research has been prsented.(A 12KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
Major mine databaseData on all mines considered for inclusion in the Maest-Kuipers research.(A 2.5MB excel workbook. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
http://www.earthworksaction.org/PR_KuipersMaest.cfm#KMREPORTS
2006 Press Releases
New Scientific Research Reveals Widespread Failure to Keep Mines from Polluting Water
Regulatory and Scientific Failures in Mine \nPermitting Result in Widespread Water Pollution, Increased Public Health Risks, \nand Costly Taxpayer-Funded Cleanups\nDec 7, Washington, DC -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that \nfaulty water quality predictions, mitigation measures and regulatory failures \nresult in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution \nproblems. Despite assurances from government regulators and mine proponents that \nmines would not pollute clean water, researchers found that 76 percent of \nstudied mines exceeded water quality standards, polluting rivers, and \ngroundwater with toxic contaminants, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cyanide, \nand exposing taxpayers to huge cleanup liabilities. The release was issued by \nthe Washington, DC-based conservation group EARTHWORKS and conservation groups \nin as many as ten western states affected by mining.\n"Without correction, the human, environmental, and financial \ncosts of these regulatory failures will continue to grow as more mines are \npermitted," said report author and mining engineer Jim Kuipers. "Where \npredictions of water quality at mine sites are concerned, the scientific process \nis broken and must be fixed." \nThe first-of-a-kind reports, "Comparison of Predicted and Actual \nWater Quality at Hardrock Mines," and "Predicting Water Quality Problems at \nHardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art," by \nKuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality \npredictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the \nUnited States during the last 25 years. \nThe scientists found that predictions of mining\'s impact on \nclean water were made without checking the results of past predictions. They \nalso found that predictions were often made using inadequate information, \nincorrectly applied. Not surprisingly, mitigation measures based on the \ninaccurate predictions also typically failed to protect clean water.",1]
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Regulatory and Scientific Failures in Mine Permitting Result in Widespread Water Pollution, Increased Public Health Risks, and Costly Taxpayer-Funded Cleanups
Dec 7, Washington, DC -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that faulty water quality predictions, mitigation measures and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution problems. Despite assurances from government regulators and mine proponents that mines would not pollute clean water, researchers found that 76 percent of studied mines exceeded water quality standards, polluting rivers, and groundwater with toxic contaminants, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cyanide, and exposing taxpayers to huge cleanup liabilities. The release was issued by the Washington, DC-based conservation group EARTHWORKS and conservation groups in as many as ten western states affected by mining.
"Without correction, the human, environmental, and financial costs of these regulatory failures will continue to grow as more mines are permitted," said report author and mining engineer Jim Kuipers. "Where predictions of water quality at mine sites are concerned, the scientific process is broken and must be fixed."
The first-of-a-kind reports, "Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines," and "Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art," by Kuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the United States during the last 25 years.
The scientists found that predictions of mining's impact on clean water were made without checking the results of past predictions. They also found that predictions were often made using inadequate information, incorrectly applied. Not surprisingly, mitigation measures based on the inaccurate predictions also typically failed to protect clean water.
\nAmong the researchers\' findings for the 25 mines examined in \ndepth:\n\n 76 percent of mines exceed groundwater or \n surface water quality standards \n 93 percent of mines that are near \n groundwater and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant \n leaching exceeded water quality standards[1] \n 85 percent of mines that are near surface \n water and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching \n exceeded water quality standards \n Water quality standards for toxic heavy \n metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc, were exceeded at 63 \n percent of mines. \n Mitigation measures predicted to protect \n clean water failed at 64 percent of the mines.\n"Regulators and mining companies have a \nresponsibility to ensure that sound science and widely available, \nstate-of-the-art methods are used to prevent pollution at mine sites," said \nMaest. "Changes in permitting evaluations are needed at current and future mines \nto keep our waters clean and our fisheries viable." \n\nThe researchers also found that mines located near surface or \ngroundwater that tapped ore bodies with high potential for acid-generation or \ncontaminant leaching, and near water resources were at high-risk of resulting in \nwater pollution. This finding in particular has serious implications for \ncontroversial new mines now being proposed, or in permitting \nincluding:\n\n Pebble gold-copper mine in southwest Alaska \n at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the world\'s largest salmon \n runs. \n Atlanta gold mine in Idaho adjacent to the \n Boise River, which provides Boise with more than 20 percent of its municipal \n water",1]
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Among the researchers' findings for the 25 mines examined in depth:
76 percent of mines exceed groundwater or surface water quality standards
93 percent of mines that are near groundwater and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching exceeded water quality standards[1]
85 percent of mines that are near surface water and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching exceeded water quality standards
Water quality standards for toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc, were exceeded at 63 percent of mines.
Mitigation measures predicted to protect clean water failed at 64 percent of the mines.
"Regulators and mining companies have a responsibility to ensure that sound science and widely available, state-of-the-art methods are used to prevent pollution at mine sites," said Maest. "Changes in permitting evaluations are needed at current and future mines to keep our waters clean and our fisheries viable."
The researchers also found that mines located near surface or groundwater that tapped ore bodies with high potential for acid-generation or contaminant leaching, and near water resources were at high-risk of resulting in water pollution. This finding in particular has serious implications for controversial new mines now being proposed, or in permitting including:
Pebble gold-copper mine in southwest Alaska at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the world's largest salmon runs.
Atlanta gold mine in Idaho adjacent to the Boise River, which provides Boise with more than 20 percent of its municipal water
\n Rock Creek silver-copper mine in northwest \n Montana near the Clark Fork River and underneath the Cabinet Mountains \n Wilderness.\n"With dozens of new mines and mine expansions in the pipeline, \nthis report could not have come at a better time," said Alan Septoff, Director \nof Research at EARTHWORKS, which commissioned the studies. "Action on these \nfindings by regulators and mining companies should result in cleaner water, \nhealthier economies, and more responsible mining." \nSustained increases in metal prices, driven in part by growing \ndemand from China, have triggered a sharp increase in the number of new mines \nand mine expansions being proposed in the United States. New mining claims filed \nin 2006 for mines on federal public lands are on track to more than quadruple \nsince 2002.\nBased on the researchers\' findings, the groups releasing the \nstudies offered the following recommendations:\n\n Better screening of high-risk mines -- \n particularly those near water resources that have the potential to create \n pollution from acid drainage or metal leaching. \n Take a precautionary approach to mine \n permitting and plan for worst-case scenarios. \n Undertake a thorough review of water quality \n predictions at all existing mines. \n Keep the public informed, make risks \n transparent. \n Prevent conflicts-of-interest between mine \n proponents and expert consultants who prepare predictions and \n analyses.\nThe reports have been extensively peer-reviewed and presented at \nfive major conferences, including: U.S. EPA\'s Hardrock 2006 Conference in \nTucson, Arizona; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration\'s 2006 Annual \nMeeting in St. Louis; and the Mine Design, Operations and Closure Conference in \nFairmont Hot Springs, Montana, also in 2006. ",1]
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Rock Creek silver-copper mine in northwest Montana near the Clark Fork River and underneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
"With dozens of new mines and mine expansions in the pipeline, this report could not have come at a better time," said Alan Septoff, Director of Research at EARTHWORKS, which commissioned the studies. "Action on these findings by regulators and mining companies should result in cleaner water, healthier economies, and more responsible mining."
Sustained increases in metal prices, driven in part by growing demand from China, have triggered a sharp increase in the number of new mines and mine expansions being proposed in the United States. New mining claims filed in 2006 for mines on federal public lands are on track to more than quadruple since 2002.
Based on the researchers' findings, the groups releasing the studies offered the following recommendations:
Better screening of high-risk mines -- particularly those near water resources that have the potential to create pollution from acid drainage or metal leaching.
Take a precautionary approach to mine permitting and plan for worst-case scenarios.
Undertake a thorough review of water quality predictions at all existing mines.
Keep the public informed, make risks transparent.
Prevent conflicts-of-interest between mine proponents and expert consultants who prepare predictions and analyses.
The reports have been extensively peer-reviewed and presented at five major conferences, including: U.S. EPA's Hardrock 2006 Conference in Tucson, Arizona; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration's 2006 Annual Meeting in St. Louis; and the Mine Design, Operations and Closure Conference in Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana, also in 2006.
\n\n \n\n\nPredictions vs \nReality reports\n\n Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock \n Mines \n Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art \n \n Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of \n Science, Oversight, and Good Practice. An EARTHWORKS white \n paper.\n\nEarthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite \n808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org\n \n",1]
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Predictions vs Reality reports
Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines
Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art
Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good Practice. An EARTHWORKS white paper.
Earthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org
.org/cvJeanieAlderson.cfmn \nCuster National Forest, \nMT\n\nRancher Not Informed about \nMineral Leasing\nBy Jeanie \nAlderson\nMy father and two sisters own Bones Brothers Ranch, a \ncow/calf ranching operation in southeastern Montana. Like many ranches in this \npart of Montana, ours has been built over the last 110 years. We own and pay \ntaxes on 8,435 acres, and lease grazing land on the Custer National Forest. \nWhile we own some of the minerals below our land, other family members and the \nfederal government own the rest. Many of the federal minerals are under land \nthat is very close to our homes.\nI knew that the federal government owned \nminerals below our ranch; however, I knew nothing about the process of federal \nmineral leasing. In December 2000, I called a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) \nofficial in Miles City to find out if the minerals under our ranch had been \nleased for coalbed methane development. From the information I eventually \nreceived from this BLM official, I learned that five companies and individuals \nhad leased the federal minerals below our land. Although the BLM does not \ndistinguish between regular oil and gas leases and coalbed methane leases, all \nindications point to these minerals being leased for coalbed methane \ndevelopment. \nBLM never informed me they were leasing \nminerals under our ranch. BLM never asked for input regarding lease \nstipulations. I was never told about the leasing process, nor did I receive any \ninformation about the relationship between surface owners and mineral owners in \nregard to the development of federal minerals.",1]
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http://www.earthworksaction.org/cvJeanieAlderson.cfm
Custer National Forest, MT
Rancher Not Informed about Mineral Leasing
By Jeanie Alderson
My father and two sisters own Bones Brothers Ranch, a cow/calf ranching operation in southeastern Montana. Like many ranches in this part of Montana, ours has been built over the last 110 years. We own and pay taxes on 8,435 acres, and lease grazing land on the Custer National Forest. While we own some of the minerals below our land, other family members and the federal government own the rest. Many of the federal minerals are under land that is very close to our homes.
I knew that the federal government owned minerals below our ranch; however, I knew nothing about the process of federal mineral leasing. In December 2000, I called a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) official in Miles City to find out if the minerals under our ranch had been leased for coalbed methane development. From the information I eventually received from this BLM official, I learned that five companies and individuals had leased the federal minerals below our land. Although the BLM does not distinguish between regular oil and gas leases and coalbed methane leases, all indications point to these minerals being leased for coalbed methane development.
BLM never informed me they were leasing minerals under our ranch. BLM never asked for input regarding lease stipulations. I was never told about the leasing process, nor did I receive any information about the relationship between surface owners and mineral owners in regard to the development of federal minerals.
\nHad we been able to be involved in the leasing \nprocess we could have provided helpful information about our ranching operation, \nand how leasing decisions will affect our ranch. We have an intimate knowledge \nof the landscape and could have provided information about wildlife habitat, \nnative plants, unstable slopes, watersheds and so forth. We could have provided \ninformation about where not to allow drilling, and where it might be acceptable. \nThis information could have guided the leasing in a more reasonable and, \nultimately more effective, manner.\nIn the present situation, we had no input into \na process that will ultimately affect our land, water, business and lives \nforever. It seems like common sense that landowners should have more say in what \nhappens on their property, but the simple truth is that oil and gas rights take \nprecedence over surface rights.\nReprinted with permission from the Western Organization of Resource \nCouncils\n\n \nEarthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 \nWashington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org\n \n \n \n\n\n",0]
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Had we been able to be involved in the leasing process we could have provided helpful information about our ranching operation, and how leasing decisions will affect our ranch. We have an intimate knowledge of the landscape and could have provided information about wildlife habitat, native plants, unstable slopes, watersheds and so forth. We could have provided information about where not to allow drilling, and where it might be acceptable. This information could have guided the leasing in a more reasonable and, ultimately more effective, manner.
In the present situation, we had no input into a process that will ultimately affect our land, water, business and lives forever. It seems like common sense that landowners should have more say in what happens on their property, but the simple truth is that oil and gas rights take precedence over surface rights.
Reprinted with permission from the Western Organization of Resource Councils
Earthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872
Please bear with us on mining pollution, it ultimately affects the North Shore in a multitude of ways. To name only one: the filthy use of coal in the power generation that provides our electricity.
True
By CHRISTOPHER SMITH Associated Press, December 7, 2006
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Conservationists say water quality predictions prepared by federal land management agencies as part of the permitting process for precious metal mines during the past 25 years were routinely off the mark in concluding the mines would not cause water pollution.
"When we compared the government's predictions with actual water quality reports we found the predictions did not generally agree with reality," said Ann Maest, a water quality geochemist from Boulder, Colo., who co-authored the study released Thursday by the Washington, D.C.-based conservation group Earthworks. "Over three-quarters of the mines we reviewed in detail had pollution exceedances over water quality standards.
"Mining industry officials said they were still reviewing the conservation group's analysis, but questioned \n the inclusion of mines in the study that went bust, were abandoned \n and may not have been built to agreed-upon environmental protection standards."There may be some things in this report that we certainly need to act upon, but it looks to me like a quarter of the mines they decided to look at are abandoned and that may be a little unfair," said Carol Raulston of the National Mining Association in Washington. "There are some mines in their database that are not characteristic of modern mining."
James Kuipers, a Butte, Mont., mining engineer who also authored the conservationists' study, said the findings that water quality protection predictions seldom hold true should prompt regulators to better scrutinize proposals for new mines, including northeast Washington state's Buckhorn gold mine, and the gold and copper Pebble mine in Alaska.
"Mines like the Rosemont copper mine in Arizona and the Atlanta gold mine in Idaho, at least as they are presently being proposed, appear to suffer from many of the same failures as those that were permitted years ago," he said. Kuipers compared the proposed Atlanta mine to the closed Zortman-Landusky mining complex in northern Montana, where taxpayers must foot the bill for treating contaminated water for decades to come.
Atlanta wants to use cyanide to leach gold from the ore left from old mines on a tributary upstream from the Boise River. Environmental groups have warned it could pollute the source of drinking water, irrigation and recreation for the state's most populous river valley.",
"The \n Boise River is more precious than gold," said John Robison of the \n Idaho Conservation League.Many of the failures of the water \n quality predictions in the permit-approval studies were due to \n regulators ignoring previous experiences with hard rock mines, \n relying on private consultants who have a bias toward satisfying \n mining clients and failing to take adequate samples to determine \n overall impacts, Maest said."At the proposed Rock Creek Mine \n in Montana, under a designated wilderness area, they have used only \n a handful of ore and waste samples from the site to predict the \n amount of acid drainage," she said. "They need to look at more \n samples."Raulston said the mining industry has launched an \n acid drainage initiative to find ways to better prevent the \n discharge of acidic pollutants and heavy metals such as arsenic, \n cadmium, mercury and lead that are leached out of rock during mining \n and can be deadly to stream ecosystems. And, modern mines are \n continually monitoring water quality and adjusting operations to \n prevent pollution discharge, she said."They are required to \n look at what is happening on the ground and recalibrate those \n prediction models if the assumptions don\'t match what they are \n seeing," she said. "This notion that these prediction models are \n faith-based initiatives is just not something that really happens in \n our experience."___On the Net:Earthworks \n mine water quality report: http://www.mine-aid.org/National \n Mining Association: ",1]
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"The Boise River is more precious than gold," said John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League.Many of the failures of the water quality predictions in the permit-approval studies were due to regulators ignoring previous experiences with hard rock mines, relying on private consultants who have a bias toward satisfying mining clients and failing to take adequate samples to determine overall impacts, Maest said."At the proposed Rock Creek Mine in Montana, under a designated wilderness area, they have used only a handful of ore and waste samples from the site to predict the amount of acid drainage," she said. "They need to look at more samples."Raulston said the mining industry has launched an acid drainage initiative to find ways to better prevent the discharge of acidic pollutants and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead that are leached out of rock during mining and can be deadly to stream ecosystems. And, modern mines are continually monitoring water quality and adjusting operations to prevent pollution discharge, she said."They are required to look at what is happening on the ground and recalibrate those prediction models if the assumptions don't match what they are seeing," she said. "This notion that these prediction models are faith-based initiatives is just not something that really happens in our experience."___On the Net:Earthworks mine water quality report: http://www.mine-aid.org/National Mining Association:
http://www.nma.org/\n \n http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53303.html#\n \n \n http://www.mine-aid.org/\n Groundbreaking research indicates the mine \n permitting process is \n broken.\n \n Dec 7 -- \n New scientific research unveiled \n today finds that faulty water \n quality predictions and regulatory failures result in the approval \n of mines that create significant water pollution problems at \n more than three quarters of mines studied. \n \n \n The first-of-a-kind reports, Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water \n Quality at Hardrock Mines, and Predicting \n Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art",1]
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http://www.nma.org/
http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/53303.html#
http://www.mine-aid.org/
Groundbreaking research indicates the mine permitting process is broken.
Dec 7 -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that faulty water quality predictions and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution problems at more than three quarters of mines studied.
The first-of-a-kind reports, Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines, and Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art
, by Jim Kuipers, \n P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality \n predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted \n in the United States during the last 25 years. \n A white paper authored by EARTHWORKS, \n Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock \n Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good \n Practice summarizes these reports and \n provides policy recommendations for \n regulators.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNOTE: These reports are embargoed until 12/7. By \ndownloading these reports, you are agreeing not to distribute/share/publicize \nthem until that date.\n\n Comparison \n of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock \n MinesThe reliability of predictions in Environmental \n Impact Statements(1,418KB pdf document. Right click to \n save to your hard drive) \n Predicting \n Water Quality at Hardrock MinesMethods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art(1,005KB pdf \n document. Right click to save to your hard drive)",1]
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, by Jim Kuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the United States during the last 25 years.
A white paper authored by EARTHWORKS, Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good Practice summarizes these reports and provides policy recommendations for regulators.
NOTE: These reports are embargoed until 12/7. By downloading these reports, you are agreeing not to distribute/share/publicize them until that date.
Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock MinesThe reliability of predictions in Environmental Impact Statements(1,418KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive)
Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock MinesMethods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art(1,005KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive)
\n Predicting \n Water Quality Problems at Hardrock MinesA Failure of \n Science, Oversight, and Good PracticeAn EARTHWORKS white paper \n summarizing and analyzing the groundbreaking studies by Ann Maest PhD and Jim \n Kuipers, P.E. (350KB pdf document. Right click to save to \n your hard drive.) \n Independent \n reviewers of the research and conferences where the research has been \n prsented.(A 12KB pdf document. Right click to \n save to your hard drive.) \n Major \n mine databaseData on all mines considered for inclusion in \n the Maest-Kuipers research.(A 2.5MB excel workbook. Right \n click to save to your hard drive.) \n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \nhttp://www.earthworksaction.org/PR_KuipersMaest.cfm#KMREPORTS\n \n \n2006 Press Releases \nNew Scientific Research Reveals Widespread Failure to Keep \nMines from Polluting Water",1]
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Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock MinesA Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good PracticeAn EARTHWORKS white paper summarizing and analyzing the groundbreaking studies by Ann Maest PhD and Jim Kuipers, P.E. (350KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
Independent reviewers of the research and conferences where the research has been prsented.(A 12KB pdf document. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
Major mine databaseData on all mines considered for inclusion in the Maest-Kuipers research.(A 2.5MB excel workbook. Right click to save to your hard drive.)
http://www.earthworksaction.org/PR_KuipersMaest.cfm#KMREPORTS
2006 Press Releases
New Scientific Research Reveals Widespread Failure to Keep Mines from Polluting Water
Regulatory and Scientific Failures in Mine \nPermitting Result in Widespread Water Pollution, Increased Public Health Risks, \nand Costly Taxpayer-Funded Cleanups\nDec 7, Washington, DC -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that \nfaulty water quality predictions, mitigation measures and regulatory failures \nresult in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution \nproblems. Despite assurances from government regulators and mine proponents that \nmines would not pollute clean water, researchers found that 76 percent of \nstudied mines exceeded water quality standards, polluting rivers, and \ngroundwater with toxic contaminants, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cyanide, \nand exposing taxpayers to huge cleanup liabilities. The release was issued by \nthe Washington, DC-based conservation group EARTHWORKS and conservation groups \nin as many as ten western states affected by mining.\n"Without correction, the human, environmental, and financial \ncosts of these regulatory failures will continue to grow as more mines are \npermitted," said report author and mining engineer Jim Kuipers. "Where \npredictions of water quality at mine sites are concerned, the scientific process \nis broken and must be fixed." \nThe first-of-a-kind reports, "Comparison of Predicted and Actual \nWater Quality at Hardrock Mines," and "Predicting Water Quality Problems at \nHardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art," by \nKuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality \npredictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the \nUnited States during the last 25 years. \nThe scientists found that predictions of mining\'s impact on \nclean water were made without checking the results of past predictions. They \nalso found that predictions were often made using inadequate information, \nincorrectly applied. Not surprisingly, mitigation measures based on the \ninaccurate predictions also typically failed to protect clean water.",1]
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Regulatory and Scientific Failures in Mine Permitting Result in Widespread Water Pollution, Increased Public Health Risks, and Costly Taxpayer-Funded Cleanups
Dec 7, Washington, DC -- New scientific research unveiled today finds that faulty water quality predictions, mitigation measures and regulatory failures result in the approval of mines that create significant water pollution problems. Despite assurances from government regulators and mine proponents that mines would not pollute clean water, researchers found that 76 percent of studied mines exceeded water quality standards, polluting rivers, and groundwater with toxic contaminants, such as lead, mercury, arsenic and cyanide, and exposing taxpayers to huge cleanup liabilities. The release was issued by the Washington, DC-based conservation group EARTHWORKS and conservation groups in as many as ten western states affected by mining.
"Without correction, the human, environmental, and financial costs of these regulatory failures will continue to grow as more mines are permitted," said report author and mining engineer Jim Kuipers. "Where predictions of water quality at mine sites are concerned, the scientific process is broken and must be fixed."
The first-of-a-kind reports, "Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines," and "Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art," by Kuipers, P.E., and geochemist Ann Maest, Ph.D., analyzed water quality predictions and outcomes at 25 representative metal mines permitted in the United States during the last 25 years.
The scientists found that predictions of mining's impact on clean water were made without checking the results of past predictions. They also found that predictions were often made using inadequate information, incorrectly applied. Not surprisingly, mitigation measures based on the inaccurate predictions also typically failed to protect clean water.
\nAmong the researchers\' findings for the 25 mines examined in \ndepth:\n\n 76 percent of mines exceed groundwater or \n surface water quality standards \n 93 percent of mines that are near \n groundwater and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant \n leaching exceeded water quality standards[1] \n 85 percent of mines that are near surface \n water and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching \n exceeded water quality standards \n Water quality standards for toxic heavy \n metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc, were exceeded at 63 \n percent of mines. \n Mitigation measures predicted to protect \n clean water failed at 64 percent of the mines.\n"Regulators and mining companies have a \nresponsibility to ensure that sound science and widely available, \nstate-of-the-art methods are used to prevent pollution at mine sites," said \nMaest. "Changes in permitting evaluations are needed at current and future mines \nto keep our waters clean and our fisheries viable." \n\nThe researchers also found that mines located near surface or \ngroundwater that tapped ore bodies with high potential for acid-generation or \ncontaminant leaching, and near water resources were at high-risk of resulting in \nwater pollution. This finding in particular has serious implications for \ncontroversial new mines now being proposed, or in permitting \nincluding:\n\n Pebble gold-copper mine in southwest Alaska \n at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the world\'s largest salmon \n runs. \n Atlanta gold mine in Idaho adjacent to the \n Boise River, which provides Boise with more than 20 percent of its municipal \n water",1]
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Among the researchers' findings for the 25 mines examined in depth:
76 percent of mines exceed groundwater or surface water quality standards
93 percent of mines that are near groundwater and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching exceeded water quality standards[1]
85 percent of mines that are near surface water and have elevated potential for acid drainage or contaminant leaching exceeded water quality standards
Water quality standards for toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc, were exceeded at 63 percent of mines.
Mitigation measures predicted to protect clean water failed at 64 percent of the mines.
"Regulators and mining companies have a responsibility to ensure that sound science and widely available, state-of-the-art methods are used to prevent pollution at mine sites," said Maest. "Changes in permitting evaluations are needed at current and future mines to keep our waters clean and our fisheries viable."
The researchers also found that mines located near surface or groundwater that tapped ore bodies with high potential for acid-generation or contaminant leaching, and near water resources were at high-risk of resulting in water pollution. This finding in particular has serious implications for controversial new mines now being proposed, or in permitting including:
Pebble gold-copper mine in southwest Alaska at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, home to the world's largest salmon runs.
Atlanta gold mine in Idaho adjacent to the Boise River, which provides Boise with more than 20 percent of its municipal water
\n Rock Creek silver-copper mine in northwest \n Montana near the Clark Fork River and underneath the Cabinet Mountains \n Wilderness.\n"With dozens of new mines and mine expansions in the pipeline, \nthis report could not have come at a better time," said Alan Septoff, Director \nof Research at EARTHWORKS, which commissioned the studies. "Action on these \nfindings by regulators and mining companies should result in cleaner water, \nhealthier economies, and more responsible mining." \nSustained increases in metal prices, driven in part by growing \ndemand from China, have triggered a sharp increase in the number of new mines \nand mine expansions being proposed in the United States. New mining claims filed \nin 2006 for mines on federal public lands are on track to more than quadruple \nsince 2002.\nBased on the researchers\' findings, the groups releasing the \nstudies offered the following recommendations:\n\n Better screening of high-risk mines -- \n particularly those near water resources that have the potential to create \n pollution from acid drainage or metal leaching. \n Take a precautionary approach to mine \n permitting and plan for worst-case scenarios. \n Undertake a thorough review of water quality \n predictions at all existing mines. \n Keep the public informed, make risks \n transparent. \n Prevent conflicts-of-interest between mine \n proponents and expert consultants who prepare predictions and \n analyses.\nThe reports have been extensively peer-reviewed and presented at \nfive major conferences, including: U.S. EPA\'s Hardrock 2006 Conference in \nTucson, Arizona; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration\'s 2006 Annual \nMeeting in St. Louis; and the Mine Design, Operations and Closure Conference in \nFairmont Hot Springs, Montana, also in 2006. ",1]
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Rock Creek silver-copper mine in northwest Montana near the Clark Fork River and underneath the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
"With dozens of new mines and mine expansions in the pipeline, this report could not have come at a better time," said Alan Septoff, Director of Research at EARTHWORKS, which commissioned the studies. "Action on these findings by regulators and mining companies should result in cleaner water, healthier economies, and more responsible mining."
Sustained increases in metal prices, driven in part by growing demand from China, have triggered a sharp increase in the number of new mines and mine expansions being proposed in the United States. New mining claims filed in 2006 for mines on federal public lands are on track to more than quadruple since 2002.
Based on the researchers' findings, the groups releasing the studies offered the following recommendations:
Better screening of high-risk mines -- particularly those near water resources that have the potential to create pollution from acid drainage or metal leaching.
Take a precautionary approach to mine permitting and plan for worst-case scenarios.
Undertake a thorough review of water quality predictions at all existing mines.
Keep the public informed, make risks transparent.
Prevent conflicts-of-interest between mine proponents and expert consultants who prepare predictions and analyses.
The reports have been extensively peer-reviewed and presented at five major conferences, including: U.S. EPA's Hardrock 2006 Conference in Tucson, Arizona; Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration's 2006 Annual Meeting in St. Louis; and the Mine Design, Operations and Closure Conference in Fairmont Hot Springs, Montana, also in 2006.
\n\n \n\n\nPredictions vs \nReality reports\n\n Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock \n Mines \n Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, \n Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art \n \n Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of \n Science, Oversight, and Good Practice. An EARTHWORKS white \n paper.\n\nEarthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite \n808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org\n \n",1]
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Predictions vs Reality reports
Comparison of Predicted and Actual Water Quality at Hardrock Mines
Predicting Water Quality at Hardrock Mines: Methods and Models, Uncertainties, and State-of-the-Art
Predicting Water Quality Problems at Hardrock Mines: A Failure of Science, Oversight, and Good Practice. An EARTHWORKS white paper.
Earthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org
.org/cvJeanieAlderson.cfmn \nCuster National Forest, \nMT\n\nRancher Not Informed about \nMineral Leasing\nBy Jeanie \nAlderson\nMy father and two sisters own Bones Brothers Ranch, a \ncow/calf ranching operation in southeastern Montana. Like many ranches in this \npart of Montana, ours has been built over the last 110 years. We own and pay \ntaxes on 8,435 acres, and lease grazing land on the Custer National Forest. \nWhile we own some of the minerals below our land, other family members and the \nfederal government own the rest. Many of the federal minerals are under land \nthat is very close to our homes.\nI knew that the federal government owned \nminerals below our ranch; however, I knew nothing about the process of federal \nmineral leasing. In December 2000, I called a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) \nofficial in Miles City to find out if the minerals under our ranch had been \nleased for coalbed methane development. From the information I eventually \nreceived from this BLM official, I learned that five companies and individuals \nhad leased the federal minerals below our land. Although the BLM does not \ndistinguish between regular oil and gas leases and coalbed methane leases, all \nindications point to these minerals being leased for coalbed methane \ndevelopment. \nBLM never informed me they were leasing \nminerals under our ranch. BLM never asked for input regarding lease \nstipulations. I was never told about the leasing process, nor did I receive any \ninformation about the relationship between surface owners and mineral owners in \nregard to the development of federal minerals.",1]
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http://www.earthworksaction.org/cvJeanieAlderson.cfm
Custer National Forest, MT
Rancher Not Informed about Mineral Leasing
By Jeanie Alderson
My father and two sisters own Bones Brothers Ranch, a cow/calf ranching operation in southeastern Montana. Like many ranches in this part of Montana, ours has been built over the last 110 years. We own and pay taxes on 8,435 acres, and lease grazing land on the Custer National Forest. While we own some of the minerals below our land, other family members and the federal government own the rest. Many of the federal minerals are under land that is very close to our homes.
I knew that the federal government owned minerals below our ranch; however, I knew nothing about the process of federal mineral leasing. In December 2000, I called a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) official in Miles City to find out if the minerals under our ranch had been leased for coalbed methane development. From the information I eventually received from this BLM official, I learned that five companies and individuals had leased the federal minerals below our land. Although the BLM does not distinguish between regular oil and gas leases and coalbed methane leases, all indications point to these minerals being leased for coalbed methane development.
BLM never informed me they were leasing minerals under our ranch. BLM never asked for input regarding lease stipulations. I was never told about the leasing process, nor did I receive any information about the relationship between surface owners and mineral owners in regard to the development of federal minerals.
\nHad we been able to be involved in the leasing \nprocess we could have provided helpful information about our ranching operation, \nand how leasing decisions will affect our ranch. We have an intimate knowledge \nof the landscape and could have provided information about wildlife habitat, \nnative plants, unstable slopes, watersheds and so forth. We could have provided \ninformation about where not to allow drilling, and where it might be acceptable. \nThis information could have guided the leasing in a more reasonable and, \nultimately more effective, manner.\nIn the present situation, we had no input into \na process that will ultimately affect our land, water, business and lives \nforever. It seems like common sense that landowners should have more say in what \nhappens on their property, but the simple truth is that oil and gas rights take \nprecedence over surface rights.\nReprinted with permission from the Western Organization of Resource \nCouncils\n\n \nEarthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 \nWashington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872 info@earthworksaction.org\n \n \n \n\n\n",0]
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Had we been able to be involved in the leasing process we could have provided helpful information about our ranching operation, and how leasing decisions will affect our ranch. We have an intimate knowledge of the landscape and could have provided information about wildlife habitat, native plants, unstable slopes, watersheds and so forth. We could have provided information about where not to allow drilling, and where it might be acceptable. This information could have guided the leasing in a more reasonable and, ultimately more effective, manner.
In the present situation, we had no input into a process that will ultimately affect our land, water, business and lives forever. It seems like common sense that landowners should have more say in what happens on their property, but the simple truth is that oil and gas rights take precedence over surface rights.
Reprinted with permission from the Western Organization of Resource Councils
Earthworks 1612 K St., NW, Suite 808 Washington, D.C., USA 20006 202.887.1872
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Global Warming Bill Passes Committee
Trust our congressman Jim to be in the forefront of global warming issues:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Global Warming Bill Passes Committee
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Global Warming Bill Passes Committee
Piping a different tune
Dear True,
It’s always fun, if not outright amusing, to see what “The Issue of the Day” happens to be in Grand Marais. There’s always one per summer and this year, clearly, the issue involves ATV usage. What makes it all amusing is when the normally restrained nature of the Scandinavian population suddenly becomes violently polarized, firmly entrenched, and almost hysterically vehement as the citizenry weighs in on one side or the other of The Issue.
This summer I’ve noticed a growing groundswell of otherwise mild-mannered acquaintances rising up against the “pushiness” of the ATV group and their seeming arrogance in demanding an ordinance for their hobby, a hobby which ultimately infringes on the rights of their neighbors to peace and quiet and uncluttered roads.
I myself have friends who are addicted to the ATV past time, an addiction to which I cannot relate, but that doesn’t mean I begrudge them their brightly-colored, fat-tired doodlebugs zooming noisily over hill and dale, as they grin like bears in a honey tree. As my mother often said: “It’s always fun until someone puts out an eye.” Their joy reminds me of my own passion for the bagpipes and bagpipers in general, an addiction not shared by everyone. In fact, the ATV issue has made me rethink the role of bagpipers in the life of Grand Marais.
Like the doodlebugs, bagpipers are noisy and colorful and, I feel, should be encouraged to practice, march, and parade on any and all streets they so desire. I feel the pure, quiet northern air should be pierced regularly with the singular drone and subsequent squawk of an awakening pipe before it launches into an emotionally stirring high-pitched tune, a tune which will invariably raise the hair on the back of my neck and bring tears to my eyes. I love the pipes -- so much so I’d probably follow a piper into Hell, as so many brave Scots have done before me.
So what I’m asking is this: if the ATVers have the right to lobby for an ordinance allowing them to do as they please with THEIR hobby, without regard to the opinions of their neighbors, do I not also have the right to lobby for a bag piping ordinance? Perhaps Grand Marais could become “The Piping Capital of the Midwest,” a veritable Mecca for pipers, with pipers on all corners (not ignoring the habit of many pipers for solo piping in Nature), ensuring the glimpse of “a bit of plaid” in the peripheral vision of each and every resident of Cook County?
If it works for one special interest group, why not ALL of them? Perhaps we could elect a special Sub-Council that only hears ordinance requests from various hobby groups. Or, failing that, perhaps keep things as they are and merely find an isolated piece of land in Cook County where doodlebuggers and bagpipers alike can indulge their passion without annoying others.
Pam Dorris
Lutsen
It’s always fun, if not outright amusing, to see what “The Issue of the Day” happens to be in Grand Marais. There’s always one per summer and this year, clearly, the issue involves ATV usage. What makes it all amusing is when the normally restrained nature of the Scandinavian population suddenly becomes violently polarized, firmly entrenched, and almost hysterically vehement as the citizenry weighs in on one side or the other of The Issue.
This summer I’ve noticed a growing groundswell of otherwise mild-mannered acquaintances rising up against the “pushiness” of the ATV group and their seeming arrogance in demanding an ordinance for their hobby, a hobby which ultimately infringes on the rights of their neighbors to peace and quiet and uncluttered roads.
I myself have friends who are addicted to the ATV past time, an addiction to which I cannot relate, but that doesn’t mean I begrudge them their brightly-colored, fat-tired doodlebugs zooming noisily over hill and dale, as they grin like bears in a honey tree. As my mother often said: “It’s always fun until someone puts out an eye.” Their joy reminds me of my own passion for the bagpipes and bagpipers in general, an addiction not shared by everyone. In fact, the ATV issue has made me rethink the role of bagpipers in the life of Grand Marais.
Like the doodlebugs, bagpipers are noisy and colorful and, I feel, should be encouraged to practice, march, and parade on any and all streets they so desire. I feel the pure, quiet northern air should be pierced regularly with the singular drone and subsequent squawk of an awakening pipe before it launches into an emotionally stirring high-pitched tune, a tune which will invariably raise the hair on the back of my neck and bring tears to my eyes. I love the pipes -- so much so I’d probably follow a piper into Hell, as so many brave Scots have done before me.
So what I’m asking is this: if the ATVers have the right to lobby for an ordinance allowing them to do as they please with THEIR hobby, without regard to the opinions of their neighbors, do I not also have the right to lobby for a bag piping ordinance? Perhaps Grand Marais could become “The Piping Capital of the Midwest,” a veritable Mecca for pipers, with pipers on all corners (not ignoring the habit of many pipers for solo piping in Nature), ensuring the glimpse of “a bit of plaid” in the peripheral vision of each and every resident of Cook County?
If it works for one special interest group, why not ALL of them? Perhaps we could elect a special Sub-Council that only hears ordinance requests from various hobby groups. Or, failing that, perhaps keep things as they are and merely find an isolated piece of land in Cook County where doodlebuggers and bagpipers alike can indulge their passion without annoying others.
Pam Dorris
Lutsen
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
A hitchhikers guide to the blogosphere
Dear readers,
We are now on the map! Follow Kilroy 60's SECOND link to see us in his Guide.
True
Kilroy_60 said...
I like the approach of this blog. Interesting how you get the big picture and the grassroots.Given that, I've chosen True North to be included in the newest edition of A Hitchhiker's Guide To The Blogosphere. Keep up the good work.Cheers!
1:14 PM
Kilroy_60 said...
Sorry folks, the link changed. You'll find the Hitchhiker's Guide here.
2:49 PM
We are now on the map! Follow Kilroy 60's SECOND link to see us in his Guide.
True
Kilroy_60 said...
I like the approach of this blog. Interesting how you get the big picture and the grassroots.Given that, I've chosen True North to be included in the newest edition of A Hitchhiker's Guide To The Blogosphere. Keep up the good work.Cheers!
1:14 PM
Kilroy_60 said...
Sorry folks, the link changed. You'll find the Hitchhiker's Guide here.
2:49 PM
Steelworkers demand inquiry into mesothelioma study
Here's the latest link from our Mining Correspondent Lori Andresen:
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/?id=44438
Steelworkers demand inquiry into mesothelioma study
Duluth News TribunePublished Tuesday, June 19, 2007
United Steelworkers leaders are calling for a legislative and criminal investigation into the delayed release of information in a Minnesota Department of Health report on additional cases of mesothelioma found among Iron Range miners.
“It is unconscionable, unethical and probably criminal for a public agency to withhold information about a potential health risk to our workers,” Bob Bratulich, United Steelworkers District 11 director said Tuesday in a news release. “The United Steelworkers are extremely concerned about the health and safety of our members. We should be told the truth immediately if there is a problem with fibers in the rock of some of these operations. We need to know so that we can deal with them in a manner that protects the health of our members and the community generally, and allows those operations to continue to be productive.”
The department in March 2006 discovered that a rare, asbestos-related cancer had stricken 35 more miners than the 17 previously known.
[http://www.steelworkers-usw.org/]Health department documents obtained by the Minneapolis Star Tribune show that Department of Health had planned to disclose that information last year to mining unions, businesses, and federal regulators and others but waited until this year to disclose the information.
Bratulich called Tuesday on the state Attorney General's office and Minnesota Legislature to investigate the health department's delay in releasing the information.
Bratulich said he wants to know whether others from the Governor's Office or company officials were involved in the delay, along with health department Commissioner Dianne Mandernach and Dr. Alan Bender, head of the environmental epidemiology section that conducted the research.
In 2003, the health department found that 17 miners had developed mesothelioma between 1988 and 1996 and that commercial asbestos, not taconite dust, was the likely source.
Bratulich says he doesn't know the cause of the cancer.
However, Bratulich says the delay in releasing the information has slowed down studies aimed at determining a potential source.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/?id=44438
Steelworkers demand inquiry into mesothelioma study
Duluth News TribunePublished Tuesday, June 19, 2007
United Steelworkers leaders are calling for a legislative and criminal investigation into the delayed release of information in a Minnesota Department of Health report on additional cases of mesothelioma found among Iron Range miners.
“It is unconscionable, unethical and probably criminal for a public agency to withhold information about a potential health risk to our workers,” Bob Bratulich, United Steelworkers District 11 director said Tuesday in a news release. “The United Steelworkers are extremely concerned about the health and safety of our members. We should be told the truth immediately if there is a problem with fibers in the rock of some of these operations. We need to know so that we can deal with them in a manner that protects the health of our members and the community generally, and allows those operations to continue to be productive.”
The department in March 2006 discovered that a rare, asbestos-related cancer had stricken 35 more miners than the 17 previously known.
[http://www.steelworkers-usw.org/]Health department documents obtained by the Minneapolis Star Tribune show that Department of Health had planned to disclose that information last year to mining unions, businesses, and federal regulators and others but waited until this year to disclose the information.
Bratulich called Tuesday on the state Attorney General's office and Minnesota Legislature to investigate the health department's delay in releasing the information.
Bratulich said he wants to know whether others from the Governor's Office or company officials were involved in the delay, along with health department Commissioner Dianne Mandernach and Dr. Alan Bender, head of the environmental epidemiology section that conducted the research.
In 2003, the health department found that 17 miners had developed mesothelioma between 1988 and 1996 and that commercial asbestos, not taconite dust, was the likely source.
Bratulich says he doesn't know the cause of the cancer.
However, Bratulich says the delay in releasing the information has slowed down studies aimed at determining a potential source.
Monday, June 18, 2007
State kept quiet on cancer in 35 miners
Dear True,
The fibers of most concern come from the east end of the range, near the Peter Mitchell mine ( where PolyMet is proposed). One wonders about the whole Duluth Complex.
Here's a link as well as the text from the Strib story sent by Lori Andresen, our Mining Correspondent:
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1250516.html
State kept quiet on cancer in 35 miners
The state Health Department found that additional Iron Range miners had a deadly asbestos-related cancer, then sat on the information for a year.
By David Shaffer, Star Tribune
Last update: June 16, 2007 – 7:22 PM
The Minnesota Health Department suppressed research about additional deadly cancers among Iron Range miners for a year, even though a top government scientist warned that the findings raised significant new health issues.
The department discovered in March 2006 that a rare, asbestos-related cancer had stricken 35 more miners than the 17 previously known. All of the miners have died. The state didn't release the new information until March of this year, a decision that some health experts are now criticizing.
The findings sparked renewed concern about taconite dust and lung cancer among the 4,000 workers in the state's iron ore industry.
Health Department documents obtained by the Star Tribune show that officials had planned last year to disclose the information to mining unions, businesses, federal regulators and others. But state Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach rejected those plans last fall.
Documents also show that the department feared that public disclosure of the findings would create controversy.
In an interview Wednesday, Mandernach defended the yearlong delay, saying the department had needed time to plan new studies of mining and disease.
The cancer, called mesothelioma, is deadly. It strikes the lung lining and develops decades after exposure to asbestos fibers.
Mandernach said that releasing the findings without having a plan for further studies could "excite and cause tremendous concern before you have all of your ducks in a row."
But public-health experts and others said the department shouldn't have waited.
"Whether or not they had a plan in place is neither here nor there," said Dr. Ian Greaves, an associate professor of environmental health at the University of Minnesota who is an expert in lung diseases.
"They're a public agency that serves the public, and I think it's overreaching to think they should take an attitude that they know best. ... This sounds very paternalistic in some ways."
Yearlong delay is unusual
For decades, mine dust has been a concern because some taconite fibers are chemically identical to asbestos. Mine operations also used commercial asbestos on such things as pipes and boilers, creating another source of exposure.
In 2003, Health Department researchers found that 17 miners had developed mesothelioma between 1988 and 1996, and that commercial asbestos, not taconite dust, was a more likely culprit. Some critics said the Health Department didn't look hard enough at mine dust.
That contentious history is reflected in department e-mails, memos and notes released under the state public-records law. They show that officials worried about public reaction to the latest research, which covered 1997 to 2005.
"Many will believe that they confirm the health hazards of the miners that have long been feared and predicted," said a March 2006 talking-points memo by Dr. Alan Bender, who heads the environmental epidemiology section that conducted the research.
Another briefing paper, prepared last year for the commissioner, said: "Release of the findings is likely to generate demands that the government do more to protect workers."
Bender, who has long advocated more research into occupational hazards, urged at the time that the findings be released.
For years, the Health Department has regularly released public-health research. Officials could not cite another case in which findings were withheld for a year.
New study released quickly
Just this month, the department quickly released another study based on the same cancer-tracking registry used in the Iron Range research. That study found no cancer clusters in Washington and Dakota counties, where groundwater pollution is a growing concern. The findings were made public shortly after the work was done.
State Rep. Denny McNamara serves on a committee that reviewed the Iron Range findings in April. He said he didn't know the release of the mesothelioma research had been delayed a year until a reporter called him. He said the Legislature should have been told earlier.
"I know in the Dakota County one, we pushed for that in a very expedited manner," said McNamara, R-Hastings. "I wouldn't want them to do anything different in the same situation, no matter what geographic area."
Fear of information leaks
Internal documents show that the Health Department drafted a news release in June 2006 about the 35 additional cases of mesothelioma, but planned to release it only if word of the findings leaked out.
The documents reveal that department officials were so concerned about a possible leak that they excluded two prominent University of Minnesota researchers from scientific consultation because they had been critical of the Health Department in the past.
The two scientists are Greaves, the lung-disease expert, and Prof. William Toscano, head of the division of environmental health sciences in the School of Public Health. In interviews, the scientists said they had never leaked anything. They expressed fresh criticism of the department's actions.
"People need to know this," Toscano said of the mine- disease findings. "I can't imagine people not wanting to know this information."
That's also the view of the United Steelworkers, which represents many miners. "It is a basic right to know what the government knows about exposures and problems that can affect your health," said Mike Wright, the union's director of health, safety and environment.
State officials also withheld the findings from the federal Mine Health and Safety Administration, which last year was considering stricter limits on asbestos dust in mines. The rule revision languished after a West Virginia mine explosion last year refocused the agency's efforts toward coal-mine safety.
The federal safety group declined to comment on the Health Department's action, but said the agency welcomes the opportunity to review new research "that may assist us in our efforts to draft a more comprehensive asbestos regulation."
Federal regulators have repeatedly detected elevated asbestos since 2003 in the Northshore Mining Co. plant in Silver Bay, Minn.
In January, the company talked with state officials about a new miner health study, which the company would pay for. Yet no one told company officials about the additional mesothelioma cases even then, said Dana Byrne, vice president-public affairs for Northshore's parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
The Northshore study is in addition to the state's plan to study dust exposure in Iron Range miners who developed mesothelioma and those who didn't. In another state study, researchers plan to compare cancer risks of different types of mineral fibers based on animal testing. The department hopes to pay for the research out of existing budgets and by seeking a federal grant.
Plans for both studies were prominently noted in the Health Department's March announcement. The 35 new cancer cases were mentioned -- but not until the fifth paragraph.
David Shaffer • 612-673-7090 • dshaffer@startribune.com
© 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
The fibers of most concern come from the east end of the range, near the Peter Mitchell mine ( where PolyMet is proposed). One wonders about the whole Duluth Complex.
Here's a link as well as the text from the Strib story sent by Lori Andresen, our Mining Correspondent:
http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1250516.html
State kept quiet on cancer in 35 miners
The state Health Department found that additional Iron Range miners had a deadly asbestos-related cancer, then sat on the information for a year.
By David Shaffer, Star Tribune
Last update: June 16, 2007 – 7:22 PM
The Minnesota Health Department suppressed research about additional deadly cancers among Iron Range miners for a year, even though a top government scientist warned that the findings raised significant new health issues.
The department discovered in March 2006 that a rare, asbestos-related cancer had stricken 35 more miners than the 17 previously known. All of the miners have died. The state didn't release the new information until March of this year, a decision that some health experts are now criticizing.
The findings sparked renewed concern about taconite dust and lung cancer among the 4,000 workers in the state's iron ore industry.
Health Department documents obtained by the Star Tribune show that officials had planned last year to disclose the information to mining unions, businesses, federal regulators and others. But state Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach rejected those plans last fall.
Documents also show that the department feared that public disclosure of the findings would create controversy.
In an interview Wednesday, Mandernach defended the yearlong delay, saying the department had needed time to plan new studies of mining and disease.
The cancer, called mesothelioma, is deadly. It strikes the lung lining and develops decades after exposure to asbestos fibers.
Mandernach said that releasing the findings without having a plan for further studies could "excite and cause tremendous concern before you have all of your ducks in a row."
But public-health experts and others said the department shouldn't have waited.
"Whether or not they had a plan in place is neither here nor there," said Dr. Ian Greaves, an associate professor of environmental health at the University of Minnesota who is an expert in lung diseases.
"They're a public agency that serves the public, and I think it's overreaching to think they should take an attitude that they know best. ... This sounds very paternalistic in some ways."
Yearlong delay is unusual
For decades, mine dust has been a concern because some taconite fibers are chemically identical to asbestos. Mine operations also used commercial asbestos on such things as pipes and boilers, creating another source of exposure.
In 2003, Health Department researchers found that 17 miners had developed mesothelioma between 1988 and 1996, and that commercial asbestos, not taconite dust, was a more likely culprit. Some critics said the Health Department didn't look hard enough at mine dust.
That contentious history is reflected in department e-mails, memos and notes released under the state public-records law. They show that officials worried about public reaction to the latest research, which covered 1997 to 2005.
"Many will believe that they confirm the health hazards of the miners that have long been feared and predicted," said a March 2006 talking-points memo by Dr. Alan Bender, who heads the environmental epidemiology section that conducted the research.
Another briefing paper, prepared last year for the commissioner, said: "Release of the findings is likely to generate demands that the government do more to protect workers."
Bender, who has long advocated more research into occupational hazards, urged at the time that the findings be released.
For years, the Health Department has regularly released public-health research. Officials could not cite another case in which findings were withheld for a year.
New study released quickly
Just this month, the department quickly released another study based on the same cancer-tracking registry used in the Iron Range research. That study found no cancer clusters in Washington and Dakota counties, where groundwater pollution is a growing concern. The findings were made public shortly after the work was done.
State Rep. Denny McNamara serves on a committee that reviewed the Iron Range findings in April. He said he didn't know the release of the mesothelioma research had been delayed a year until a reporter called him. He said the Legislature should have been told earlier.
"I know in the Dakota County one, we pushed for that in a very expedited manner," said McNamara, R-Hastings. "I wouldn't want them to do anything different in the same situation, no matter what geographic area."
Fear of information leaks
Internal documents show that the Health Department drafted a news release in June 2006 about the 35 additional cases of mesothelioma, but planned to release it only if word of the findings leaked out.
The documents reveal that department officials were so concerned about a possible leak that they excluded two prominent University of Minnesota researchers from scientific consultation because they had been critical of the Health Department in the past.
The two scientists are Greaves, the lung-disease expert, and Prof. William Toscano, head of the division of environmental health sciences in the School of Public Health. In interviews, the scientists said they had never leaked anything. They expressed fresh criticism of the department's actions.
"People need to know this," Toscano said of the mine- disease findings. "I can't imagine people not wanting to know this information."
That's also the view of the United Steelworkers, which represents many miners. "It is a basic right to know what the government knows about exposures and problems that can affect your health," said Mike Wright, the union's director of health, safety and environment.
State officials also withheld the findings from the federal Mine Health and Safety Administration, which last year was considering stricter limits on asbestos dust in mines. The rule revision languished after a West Virginia mine explosion last year refocused the agency's efforts toward coal-mine safety.
The federal safety group declined to comment on the Health Department's action, but said the agency welcomes the opportunity to review new research "that may assist us in our efforts to draft a more comprehensive asbestos regulation."
Federal regulators have repeatedly detected elevated asbestos since 2003 in the Northshore Mining Co. plant in Silver Bay, Minn.
In January, the company talked with state officials about a new miner health study, which the company would pay for. Yet no one told company officials about the additional mesothelioma cases even then, said Dana Byrne, vice president-public affairs for Northshore's parent company, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
The Northshore study is in addition to the state's plan to study dust exposure in Iron Range miners who developed mesothelioma and those who didn't. In another state study, researchers plan to compare cancer risks of different types of mineral fibers based on animal testing. The department hopes to pay for the research out of existing budgets and by seeking a federal grant.
Plans for both studies were prominently noted in the Health Department's March announcement. The 35 new cancer cases were mentioned -- but not until the fifth paragraph.
David Shaffer • 612-673-7090 • dshaffer@startribune.com
© 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
And that's the way we like it!
Dear True,
When I was scrolling through the blog I saw the "heads up" on the NYTimes article in which we are "discovered." Sobering enough, but the really frightening remarks were made by Sarah (in the comments section) in which she mentioned that some of the McMansion owners already here with their "keep out" signs were discussing picnic tables, rest stops, and street lighting on the Gunflint Trail! (O, yaah????)
While it's certainly true that some people's idea of "roughing it" is going without the olive in their martini, what's really needed is education: these people need to learn that what we have here in Cook County is a Way of Life not open to changes we don't consider for the better. Ours is basically a simple way of doing things -- with little or no frills. If these improvement-minded folks feel they need frills, they should consider moving to Hayward, WI, where Mayo doctors escape for the weekend. We will not be building a Byerly's here any time soon. This is a North Woods environment with bears that roust the garbage, wolves that eat unguarded poodles, gulls that grab steaks off the grill, and moose that pop out of the underbrush to stand blandly in front of automobiles, holding up traffice indefinitely. We consider THEM to be our true neighbors, even more so than the "civilized" Hilfiger-clad from the city. The only street lights we need come from the stars.
What these "monied" folks don't realize is that they've moved into an area analagous to Amish country. We've made a conscious choice. We live a simple life and we like it. These McMansion folks feel they're preaching to the Gentiles, but they should save their breath -- no one's listening -- WE LIKE IT THIS WAY! HEL-LO! Take your ostentation somewhere else. WE'RE NOT IMPRESSED! We don't consider you any smarter or more advanced than we are. In fact, we'd like to see you find your way out of the Boundary Waters unassisted. And we have a college-educated population percentile second only to Olmsted County, home of Mayo and IBM. WE CHOOSE THIS WAY OF LIFE! (You'll be surprised to learn you aren't any richer than some of us either!)
Our message is this: dig out your flannel shirt. Buy a compass and a flashlight. And quit yer belly-aching.
This ain't Edina. We left Edina behind and went on to something better: Cook County.
Signed,
Proud to Live Here
When I was scrolling through the blog I saw the "heads up" on the NYTimes article in which we are "discovered." Sobering enough, but the really frightening remarks were made by Sarah (in the comments section) in which she mentioned that some of the McMansion owners already here with their "keep out" signs were discussing picnic tables, rest stops, and street lighting on the Gunflint Trail! (O, yaah????)
While it's certainly true that some people's idea of "roughing it" is going without the olive in their martini, what's really needed is education: these people need to learn that what we have here in Cook County is a Way of Life not open to changes we don't consider for the better. Ours is basically a simple way of doing things -- with little or no frills. If these improvement-minded folks feel they need frills, they should consider moving to Hayward, WI, where Mayo doctors escape for the weekend. We will not be building a Byerly's here any time soon. This is a North Woods environment with bears that roust the garbage, wolves that eat unguarded poodles, gulls that grab steaks off the grill, and moose that pop out of the underbrush to stand blandly in front of automobiles, holding up traffice indefinitely. We consider THEM to be our true neighbors, even more so than the "civilized" Hilfiger-clad from the city. The only street lights we need come from the stars.
What these "monied" folks don't realize is that they've moved into an area analagous to Amish country. We've made a conscious choice. We live a simple life and we like it. These McMansion folks feel they're preaching to the Gentiles, but they should save their breath -- no one's listening -- WE LIKE IT THIS WAY! HEL-LO! Take your ostentation somewhere else. WE'RE NOT IMPRESSED! We don't consider you any smarter or more advanced than we are. In fact, we'd like to see you find your way out of the Boundary Waters unassisted. And we have a college-educated population percentile second only to Olmsted County, home of Mayo and IBM. WE CHOOSE THIS WAY OF LIFE! (You'll be surprised to learn you aren't any richer than some of us either!)
Our message is this: dig out your flannel shirt. Buy a compass and a flashlight. And quit yer belly-aching.
This ain't Edina. We left Edina behind and went on to something better: Cook County.
Signed,
Proud to Live Here
What constitutes a resident?
Dear True,
Once, on a trip to Charleston, S.C., I heard a story about a prominent wealthy family who had lived in the town for four generations and was still dismissed with a sniff as "new people." This story came to mind when I read Elizabeth Perry's editorial in the News-Herald in which she criticizes John Haluska for his stand on the ATV issue because he hasn't lived here for generations. How many generations does it take to get into the exclusive "residents club?"
I'd like to know what constitutes a resident? If Cook County is your legal address and you pay horrific taxes every year, are you a resident? If you are ingrained in the social life of the area, are you a resident? If you volunteer your time and money year after year to any and all worthwhile local causes, doesn't that make you a resident? If you never miss an opportunity to keep Grand Marais the wonderful place it's always been, or make it even better, is that chopped liver? If you inhabit your home in Cook County for 7 to 9 months out of a year, and have done for some years, aren't you a resident? (I mean, if you winter elsewhere are you automatically disqualified from the Cook County Stoics Club?) If you've actually owned your home in Cook County for years, doesn't that count for something?
I'd really like to know.
Signed, Bewildered
Once, on a trip to Charleston, S.C., I heard a story about a prominent wealthy family who had lived in the town for four generations and was still dismissed with a sniff as "new people." This story came to mind when I read Elizabeth Perry's editorial in the News-Herald in which she criticizes John Haluska for his stand on the ATV issue because he hasn't lived here for generations. How many generations does it take to get into the exclusive "residents club?"
I'd like to know what constitutes a resident? If Cook County is your legal address and you pay horrific taxes every year, are you a resident? If you are ingrained in the social life of the area, are you a resident? If you volunteer your time and money year after year to any and all worthwhile local causes, doesn't that make you a resident? If you never miss an opportunity to keep Grand Marais the wonderful place it's always been, or make it even better, is that chopped liver? If you inhabit your home in Cook County for 7 to 9 months out of a year, and have done for some years, aren't you a resident? (I mean, if you winter elsewhere are you automatically disqualified from the Cook County Stoics Club?) If you've actually owned your home in Cook County for years, doesn't that count for something?
I'd really like to know.
Signed, Bewildered
Hey, True!
Dear True,
According to Elizabeth Perry in the NEWS-HERALD editorial this week, your blog is detrimental to the welfare of Cook County, no doubt because it often presents an accurate point of view in opposition to the current voices championing their own self-interests.
In addition, this blog is probably detrimental because it says what others in the silent majority are too intimidated to say because they fear economic and social reprisals if they voice their truths.
And worse of all, this blog is detrimental because it exposes wrong thinking and wrong action on the part of community sacred cows who desire to hide their less-than-noble behaviors.
To the charge that this blog is detrimental I reply: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!!
A Long-time Fan in Your Corner
According to Elizabeth Perry in the NEWS-HERALD editorial this week, your blog is detrimental to the welfare of Cook County, no doubt because it often presents an accurate point of view in opposition to the current voices championing their own self-interests.
In addition, this blog is probably detrimental because it says what others in the silent majority are too intimidated to say because they fear economic and social reprisals if they voice their truths.
And worse of all, this blog is detrimental because it exposes wrong thinking and wrong action on the part of community sacred cows who desire to hide their less-than-noble behaviors.
To the charge that this blog is detrimental I reply: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!!
A Long-time Fan in Your Corner
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Reader is shocked by ATV rudeness
Dear True,
I am writing in response to the startlingly rude letters printed this week in the Cook County News Herald, bashing the views of my friend and mentor John Haluska. He is described as delusional, deceitful, disrespectful, false and “close to slanderous” for his opinion piece challenging the rights of ATV owners to unlimited access of ATVs in Cook County.
Ms. Elizabeth Perry also challenges him as not being a fifth-generation immigrant to Cook County. I wonder what the native Anishinabe population thinks about this.
As a 20th generation immigrant to the United States during the reign of Elizabeth I, I don’t feel very proud of my ancestors: they were thieves and murderers unless they were killed by the Indian natives. I have interviewed dozens of descendants of Cook County immigrants and none of them has said that ATVs represent a way of life in their families. In fact, looking to Wikipedia, I find that ATVs first appeared in the 1980s.
Sometimes dialogue is difficult if not impossible. True himself, along with my friend John Haluska and various other readers, attempted a dialogue with Rhonda Silence and after many attempts at communication there was an irretrievable breakdown, just as is now happening with the county ATV committee in which two members have resigned (Sheriff Mark Falk and County Attorney Tim Scannell).
The truth is that the ATV Club and its adherents are the minority. Their rude accusations in public venues will perhaps mobilize their own supporters, but most people in Cook County, “locals” and newcomers alike, value the peace and silence of the woods, understand that the tourist base that sustains them comes here for that peace, and respect the fragile ecology that sustains our bedrock-based ecology.
I and most of my friends and allies support a limited access for ATV riders to designated trails. The county, the US Forest Service and the DNR are struggling to open trails but also to avoid becoming a national destination for riders who think big noise and sensitive environmental depredation are their God-given rights.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
I am writing in response to the startlingly rude letters printed this week in the Cook County News Herald, bashing the views of my friend and mentor John Haluska. He is described as delusional, deceitful, disrespectful, false and “close to slanderous” for his opinion piece challenging the rights of ATV owners to unlimited access of ATVs in Cook County.
Ms. Elizabeth Perry also challenges him as not being a fifth-generation immigrant to Cook County. I wonder what the native Anishinabe population thinks about this.
As a 20th generation immigrant to the United States during the reign of Elizabeth I, I don’t feel very proud of my ancestors: they were thieves and murderers unless they were killed by the Indian natives. I have interviewed dozens of descendants of Cook County immigrants and none of them has said that ATVs represent a way of life in their families. In fact, looking to Wikipedia, I find that ATVs first appeared in the 1980s.
Sometimes dialogue is difficult if not impossible. True himself, along with my friend John Haluska and various other readers, attempted a dialogue with Rhonda Silence and after many attempts at communication there was an irretrievable breakdown, just as is now happening with the county ATV committee in which two members have resigned (Sheriff Mark Falk and County Attorney Tim Scannell).
The truth is that the ATV Club and its adherents are the minority. Their rude accusations in public venues will perhaps mobilize their own supporters, but most people in Cook County, “locals” and newcomers alike, value the peace and silence of the woods, understand that the tourist base that sustains them comes here for that peace, and respect the fragile ecology that sustains our bedrock-based ecology.
I and most of my friends and allies support a limited access for ATV riders to designated trails. The county, the US Forest Service and the DNR are struggling to open trails but also to avoid becoming a national destination for riders who think big noise and sensitive environmental depredation are their God-given rights.
Nancye Belding
Grand Marais
Friday, June 15, 2007
Cruel Cook County
Dear readers,
Some residents of Cook County have a history of incredible cruelty to animals. Witness that a few years ago a cat was beaten to death in Rec Park. In earlier days unwanted animals were shot by game wardens or police. Thousands of helpless puppies and kittens are abandoned in the woods. Those with (perhaps) some conscience drop them off at our local Saint Francis, Gay O'Donnell instead of either shooting, drowning or beating them to death.
BUT, nobody seems to want to spay and neuter. True has heard the complaints of locals that people just don't understand how it is up here. And that is True.
What possible excuse can there be for allowing animals to reproduce, knowing that the little ones who are born have a death sentence?
Gay and the Advocates have given so much, and gotten so little help.
Even in the Twin Cities, there is now a culture of understanding that spaying and neutering pets saves many an innocent life.
Perhaps one reason is that from the age of five years old children are given to understand that shooting and killing wild creatures is part of their cultural heritage.
Is there no compassion for the companion animals bred by us and dependent upon us?
Why is spay/neuter not done? And why is our Saint Gay the depository of the unwanted innocents?
True
From: "Animal Advocates"
To: news@boreal.org
Subject: need info on who dumped two cats in a room on my property
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:27:30 -0500
NOT HAPPY. Came home yesterday and found someone had opened a door
in the motel and put two cats in there.
Besides being illegal it was another act of lack of responsibility and for you to assume that I will pay the bills and expenses for your animals is wrong. There are no homes for the cats we take in and the shelters are full. What do you think I am supposed to do with them?
If anyone has any info on who did this PLEASE phone or e mail
me.
Someone out there knows whose cats these are. longhaired yellow cat and a tortoise cat (black with yellowish shadings) Gay
--"Advocating for the stray and unwanted animals in the Arrowhead
Region of Minnesota"
Some residents of Cook County have a history of incredible cruelty to animals. Witness that a few years ago a cat was beaten to death in Rec Park. In earlier days unwanted animals were shot by game wardens or police. Thousands of helpless puppies and kittens are abandoned in the woods. Those with (perhaps) some conscience drop them off at our local Saint Francis, Gay O'Donnell instead of either shooting, drowning or beating them to death.
BUT, nobody seems to want to spay and neuter. True has heard the complaints of locals that people just don't understand how it is up here. And that is True.
What possible excuse can there be for allowing animals to reproduce, knowing that the little ones who are born have a death sentence?
Gay and the Advocates have given so much, and gotten so little help.
Even in the Twin Cities, there is now a culture of understanding that spaying and neutering pets saves many an innocent life.
Perhaps one reason is that from the age of five years old children are given to understand that shooting and killing wild creatures is part of their cultural heritage.
Is there no compassion for the companion animals bred by us and dependent upon us?
Why is spay/neuter not done? And why is our Saint Gay the depository of the unwanted innocents?
True
From: "Animal Advocates"
To: news@boreal.org
Subject: need info on who dumped two cats in a room on my property
Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:27:30 -0500
NOT HAPPY. Came home yesterday and found someone had opened a door
in the motel and put two cats in there.
Besides being illegal it was another act of lack of responsibility and for you to assume that I will pay the bills and expenses for your animals is wrong. There are no homes for the cats we take in and the shelters are full. What do you think I am supposed to do with them?
If anyone has any info on who did this PLEASE phone or e mail
me.
Someone out there knows whose cats these are. longhaired yellow cat and a tortoise cat (black with yellowish shadings) Gay
--"Advocating for the stray and unwanted animals in the Arrowhead
Region of Minnesota"
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Moves Global Warming Legislation Forward
Here's more good work, only what we would expect, from our Congressman Jim Oberstar:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Moves Global Warming Legislation Forward
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Oberstar Moves Global Warming Legislation Forward
Gmail - Adopt a dog
True has been out of town and just got this post sent last week. As True Lovers of Animals we are happy to pass this along.
Would it be possible for you to post these?
We will have spay/neuter bumper stickers,mugs, shirts and bags available for sell to make monies for Animal Advocates.
Thank you.
Sarah Hamilton
trailctr@boreal.org
2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
AdoptDogFinal.JPG
787K View Download
BumperSticker.JPG
1388K View Download
Would it be possible for you to post these?
We will have spay/neuter bumper stickers,mugs, shirts and bags available for sell to make monies for Animal Advocates.
Thank you.
Sarah Hamilton
trailctr@boreal.org
2 attachments — Download all attachments View all images
AdoptDogFinal.JPG
787K View Download
BumperSticker.JPG
1388K View Download
Friday, June 08, 2007
News Herald parent sold to Dallas media group
Yikes! Dallas, Texas: the site of the JFK assassination, the boiling center of the super-right-wing-oil rich and their anti-democracy agenda. Texas, the home of the lawless cowboy prez whose brother stole the election in Florida that brought him to office, whose wealthy entitlement family roots have convinced him that he deserves to end up on home plate without actually running around the bases.
Our wonderful, 117-year old Cook County News Herald, which has managed to survive intact despite many previous acquisitions after an un-named and unlamented owner sold out to the highest bidder a few years back.
But the local staff have soldiered on, despite staff cuts and long hours to the profit of the new owners. They have if anything raised the news coverage, as well as the photos and page layout, to an unprecedented high.
Well. Perhaps it won't matter what media conglomerate takes over next, so long as the local folks still put the paper together. This sort of takeover acquisition of newspapers in recent years is virtually universal. We can only hope for the best here in Cook County...
But, for all small local newspapers, it is not for the best that rich conglomerates take them over. Cui bono? Read the Duluth story below:
True
· Duluth News Tribune ·
Our wonderful, 117-year old Cook County News Herald, which has managed to survive intact despite many previous acquisitions after an un-named and unlamented owner sold out to the highest bidder a few years back.
But the local staff have soldiered on, despite staff cuts and long hours to the profit of the new owners. They have if anything raised the news coverage, as well as the photos and page layout, to an unprecedented high.
Well. Perhaps it won't matter what media conglomerate takes over next, so long as the local folks still put the paper together. This sort of takeover acquisition of newspapers in recent years is virtually universal. We can only hope for the best here in Cook County...
But, for all small local newspapers, it is not for the best that rich conglomerates take them over. Cui bono? Read the Duluth story below:
True
· Duluth News Tribune ·
Monday, June 04, 2007
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Our Rep. Jim Oberstar is always looking out for our interests here on the North Shore. The governor has vetoed any improvements to our highways because he doesn't like an increased gas tax. Hmm. True doesn't like that either, but only because it will hit the poor the hardest.
Government is the right place for infrastructure, the only question is who pays for it?
True contends that fair taxes based on ability to pay ought to provide safe highways. Our Rep. Oberstar has a plan to help this to happen. If the governor refuses to provide the local match that would make Highway 61 safe, well, this would look bad to those of us who depend on this highway for our livelihoods and life lines.
Really, folks, the slick gov is just passing the buck. He pretends he is saving taxpayer money by passing it along to local municipalities, individual property tax payers, and the poorest of the poor who must pay for state-mandated services.
Check out Jim's latest post on our behalf:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Government is the right place for infrastructure, the only question is who pays for it?
True contends that fair taxes based on ability to pay ought to provide safe highways. Our Rep. Oberstar has a plan to help this to happen. If the governor refuses to provide the local match that would make Highway 61 safe, well, this would look bad to those of us who depend on this highway for our livelihoods and life lines.
Really, folks, the slick gov is just passing the buck. He pretends he is saving taxpayer money by passing it along to local municipalities, individual property tax payers, and the poorest of the poor who must pay for state-mandated services.
Check out Jim's latest post on our behalf:
Congressman James L Oberstar -- Federal Highway Projects Save Northeast Minnesota from All-Time Construction Low
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
We have been discovered by the New York Times. They think it is a good thing. True thinks it sucks. The more rich fat cats who buy property here, the worse for us. They raise our taxes with their monster cabins, give nothing back to the community, and diminish our community infrastructure including schools and housing for locals. These carpetbaggers have been seen to move in to close-knit neighborhoods and put up "Keep Out" signs. Their vacation homes, on a par with royal castles, challenge the fragile boreal forest.
Their arrogance requires a service economy dedicated to their thoughtless needs: cleaning staff and groundskeepers.
In short, the objects of our tourism outreach are predators rather than assets to our community.
Read the story:
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
Their arrogance requires a service economy dedicated to their thoughtless needs: cleaning staff and groundskeepers.
In short, the objects of our tourism outreach are predators rather than assets to our community.
Read the story:
Minnesota’s ‘Freshwater Ocean’ Attracts a New Generation - New York Times
Friday, June 01, 2007
ATV Mendacity
Dear True,
ATVer rants lately have taken more twists and turns than the trails they like to carve through fragile wetlands, but I’m hearing that the community is finally getting fed up as the club now demands unfettered riding privileges throughout the county. It is time we come to our collective senses and bring ATV trail blazing to an abrupt halt.
The club initially said all they wanted was to run a ways down the road to have coffee with their like minded neighbors; that they were not at all interested in unlimited access or in turning Cook County into a magnet for Twin City ATV riders. Then, at the last county board meeting, we saw the mask drop and reality revealed in the demands they made and the threats they leveled against the county board members if the board had the temerity to put any restrictions on ATV travel. A look at members’ comments, the club’s website, the lobbying of its affiliates, of the ATV industry, and of the DNR reveals a clear, grim, picture of the future of our community as run by the ATV club.
Contrary to their original disclosures, ATVers now demand unrestricted riding throughout the county. Demonstrating a total lack of respect for the work of the ATV task force, a group known mainly for its imbalance in favor of the ATV club, club officers told the board it had to open all roads in the county to ATV riding under all circumstances – it is all or nothing. They also now insist they should be allowed to police themselves. The county board is to roll over, or else! Whatever happened to their previous promises? Whatever happened to civil, if not honest, discourse?
The local club also wants an ATV park in Cook County. On its website, www.atv.rideupnorth.com (how’s that for deterring an onslaught of Metro riders?), the club states an ATV park is a key priority. Surely there is a club member willing to donate his property for this worthy venture and no doubt he is surrounded by neighbors willing to sacrifice their peace and quiet for this noble cause. Will the lucky winners please make themselves known?
Opening the North Shore Snowmobile Trail to summer-long ATV travel is another club goal; it is shared with clubs statewide. This club priority also gets support from industry and the DNR, disregarding the original purpose and restrictions on that trail. This would allow an unlimited flow of riders from Duluth and beyond to roar into our county. It is such a comfort to know just how caring and sharing the ATV club is – caring only for themselves and sharing their hobby’s noxious noise with the rest of us.
Trashing the North Shore Snowmobile Trail is a key component in a linked, statewide system. The ATV clubs, ATV industry, the DNR and their ilk are all working on statewide connections in total disregard of real needs or of the will of the majority of Minnesotans. Whether statewide or just Cook County, most of us do not want our roads endangered, woods trashed and streams ruined, or our peace and quiet lost to what is perhaps the most selfish of outdoor activities (Don’t call ATVing a sport; it just ain’t). But, opposition is given short, if any shrift at all.
Another ATV goal is opening the Willard Munger Trail to ATV’s, thus connecting the whole Arrowhead to lower Minnesota for wide-open ATV travel. Though pushed during this legislature by the DNR, the clubs, and the ATV industry, it lost; rest assured it will be back. The intent is to link the Twin Cities to the North Shore Trail to Cook County. The benefit to our county will be an unlimited summertime supply of Metro ATV riders.
The reality is that the ATV club, with the support of the ATV industry and the DNR, is hell bent on making your county a destination for ATVs. The club tells us it is not just their inalienable right to do so; it is for our own good because it will boost business in our county. Yet business in our county was built and is sustained by a balance of quiet sports and sightseeing in the summer, and a healthy mix of the same, with an addition of snowmobiling, in the winter. What will wide-open ATV travel in the summer mean to our visitors who are here to enjoy the quiet? I think they will say “don’t call us, we’ll call you”. But, I’m sure the lodges will be overwhelmed with requests for ATV trailside accommodations so that guests can be lulled to sleep by the whine and roar of ATVs.
Will the county board listen to a vocal minority with a history of disrespect for the values of the community, and a disregard for integrity based civil discourse? Or, will the board show concern for the rights of the rest of us and our guests to quietly and peacefully enjoy our homes and community? It is hard to say.
Local governments across the state have a poor record of standing up to ATVer bullying and intimidation. However, reports are there weren’t any smiles on the faces of the commissioners at the last meeting as the club’s leaders and supporters displayed their usual standards of reason and civility. Maybe county officials are now as fed up as the rest of us over the ill will this climate of threats, bullying, and mendacity has brought to our community; maybe not. Club members we all know are getting ready to say “Metro riders, start your engines and rideupnorth(.com)”.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
ATVer rants lately have taken more twists and turns than the trails they like to carve through fragile wetlands, but I’m hearing that the community is finally getting fed up as the club now demands unfettered riding privileges throughout the county. It is time we come to our collective senses and bring ATV trail blazing to an abrupt halt.
The club initially said all they wanted was to run a ways down the road to have coffee with their like minded neighbors; that they were not at all interested in unlimited access or in turning Cook County into a magnet for Twin City ATV riders. Then, at the last county board meeting, we saw the mask drop and reality revealed in the demands they made and the threats they leveled against the county board members if the board had the temerity to put any restrictions on ATV travel. A look at members’ comments, the club’s website, the lobbying of its affiliates, of the ATV industry, and of the DNR reveals a clear, grim, picture of the future of our community as run by the ATV club.
Contrary to their original disclosures, ATVers now demand unrestricted riding throughout the county. Demonstrating a total lack of respect for the work of the ATV task force, a group known mainly for its imbalance in favor of the ATV club, club officers told the board it had to open all roads in the county to ATV riding under all circumstances – it is all or nothing. They also now insist they should be allowed to police themselves. The county board is to roll over, or else! Whatever happened to their previous promises? Whatever happened to civil, if not honest, discourse?
The local club also wants an ATV park in Cook County. On its website, www.atv.rideupnorth.com (how’s that for deterring an onslaught of Metro riders?), the club states an ATV park is a key priority. Surely there is a club member willing to donate his property for this worthy venture and no doubt he is surrounded by neighbors willing to sacrifice their peace and quiet for this noble cause. Will the lucky winners please make themselves known?
Opening the North Shore Snowmobile Trail to summer-long ATV travel is another club goal; it is shared with clubs statewide. This club priority also gets support from industry and the DNR, disregarding the original purpose and restrictions on that trail. This would allow an unlimited flow of riders from Duluth and beyond to roar into our county. It is such a comfort to know just how caring and sharing the ATV club is – caring only for themselves and sharing their hobby’s noxious noise with the rest of us.
Trashing the North Shore Snowmobile Trail is a key component in a linked, statewide system. The ATV clubs, ATV industry, the DNR and their ilk are all working on statewide connections in total disregard of real needs or of the will of the majority of Minnesotans. Whether statewide or just Cook County, most of us do not want our roads endangered, woods trashed and streams ruined, or our peace and quiet lost to what is perhaps the most selfish of outdoor activities (Don’t call ATVing a sport; it just ain’t). But, opposition is given short, if any shrift at all.
Another ATV goal is opening the Willard Munger Trail to ATV’s, thus connecting the whole Arrowhead to lower Minnesota for wide-open ATV travel. Though pushed during this legislature by the DNR, the clubs, and the ATV industry, it lost; rest assured it will be back. The intent is to link the Twin Cities to the North Shore Trail to Cook County. The benefit to our county will be an unlimited summertime supply of Metro ATV riders.
The reality is that the ATV club, with the support of the ATV industry and the DNR, is hell bent on making your county a destination for ATVs. The club tells us it is not just their inalienable right to do so; it is for our own good because it will boost business in our county. Yet business in our county was built and is sustained by a balance of quiet sports and sightseeing in the summer, and a healthy mix of the same, with an addition of snowmobiling, in the winter. What will wide-open ATV travel in the summer mean to our visitors who are here to enjoy the quiet? I think they will say “don’t call us, we’ll call you”. But, I’m sure the lodges will be overwhelmed with requests for ATV trailside accommodations so that guests can be lulled to sleep by the whine and roar of ATVs.
Will the county board listen to a vocal minority with a history of disrespect for the values of the community, and a disregard for integrity based civil discourse? Or, will the board show concern for the rights of the rest of us and our guests to quietly and peacefully enjoy our homes and community? It is hard to say.
Local governments across the state have a poor record of standing up to ATVer bullying and intimidation. However, reports are there weren’t any smiles on the faces of the commissioners at the last meeting as the club’s leaders and supporters displayed their usual standards of reason and civility. Maybe county officials are now as fed up as the rest of us over the ill will this climate of threats, bullying, and mendacity has brought to our community; maybe not. Club members we all know are getting ready to say “Metro riders, start your engines and rideupnorth(.com)”.
John Haluska
Grand Marais
SBA opens Ham Lake service center in Courthouse
Rep. James Oberstar: SBA Opens Service Center for Ham Lake Fire Victims
Friday, June 01, 2007
Washington DC – Home owners, business owners and renters who were impacted by the Ham Lake fire will be able to begin applying for disaster assistance loans on Monday. Today, Congressman Jim Oberstar announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais on Monday at 8:00 AM.
SBA loans of up to $1.5 million will be available to business owners who suffered property damage and significant economic losses due to the fire. Homeowners can apply for loans of up to $200,000 to replace and repair real estate damaged in the fire. Loans of up to $40,000 are available to homeowners and renters who lost furniture and other property.
“Many resort owners saw business take a big drop during the fire,” said Oberstar. “Now the fire is out, but so are the phone lines. They are having trouble booking rooms, running credit cards and even issuing fishing licenses. These businesses need help right now and I am glad to see the SBA is moving quickly to render that assistance.”
Oberstar is working with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to bring more resources to Cook and Lake Counties. This week he met with FEMA Administrator David Paulison to see how that agency can help. Paulison is expected to report back to Oberstar early next week.
Information on applying for SBA loans:
Telephone inquiries:
SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 (Mon.-Fri. 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, CDT)
Walk-in service:
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Cook County:
Cook County Courthouse
411 West 2nd Street
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Opens: Monday, June 4
Open: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (1 Saturday Only)
Written inquiries:
SBA - Disaster Assistance
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Friday, June 01, 2007
Washington DC – Home owners, business owners and renters who were impacted by the Ham Lake fire will be able to begin applying for disaster assistance loans on Monday. Today, Congressman Jim Oberstar announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais on Monday at 8:00 AM.
SBA loans of up to $1.5 million will be available to business owners who suffered property damage and significant economic losses due to the fire. Homeowners can apply for loans of up to $200,000 to replace and repair real estate damaged in the fire. Loans of up to $40,000 are available to homeowners and renters who lost furniture and other property.
“Many resort owners saw business take a big drop during the fire,” said Oberstar. “Now the fire is out, but so are the phone lines. They are having trouble booking rooms, running credit cards and even issuing fishing licenses. These businesses need help right now and I am glad to see the SBA is moving quickly to render that assistance.”
Oberstar is working with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to bring more resources to Cook and Lake Counties. This week he met with FEMA Administrator David Paulison to see how that agency can help. Paulison is expected to report back to Oberstar early next week.
Information on applying for SBA loans:
Telephone inquiries:
SBA Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 (Mon.-Fri. 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, CDT)
Walk-in service:
SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC)
Cook County:
Cook County Courthouse
411 West 2nd Street
Grand Marais, MN 55604
Opens: Monday, June 4
Open: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 9 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (1 Saturday Only)
Written inquiries:
SBA - Disaster Assistance
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
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