Duluth Leaders Issue Statement re: PolyMet Dam Proposal and Ongoing Need for Hearing
January 22, 2022
Duluth, MN -- Duluth for Clean Water and a group of Duluth elected officials and environmental leaders issued the below joint statement today regarding the PolyMet dam proposal. The group is expressing concern that no neutral public hearing has yet been confirmed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources which expressly includes the dangerous dam design.
Responding to the court and agency proceedings that are currently underway, John Doberstein, Duluth for Clean Water Board Chair said, "it's true that there are numerous proceedings currently underway. We hope that the DNR does the right thing and addresses the disputed dam design in these proceedings. What's also true is that we've had this request now going on five years, and the DNR and Governor Walz continue to have the ability to support this needed step at any time. Dams like this are failing around the world. It is incredible that evidence about this still hasn’t been made available in a court setting. We'll continue to push for it."
Thank you to all who continue to track this important issue after five years of making the request to the DNR.
We would like to express our special thanks and appreciation to the local elected officials who continue to help us make this very important and sensible request: Senator Jen McEwen, St. Louis County Commissioner Ashley Grimm, Duluth Councilor Gary Anderson, Duluth Councilor Roz Randorf, Duluth Councilor Mike Mayou, and Duluth Councilor Azrin Awal. Please thank them as well!
There is no process currently underway to gather public signatures for this statement, but we welcome and encourage any sharing of the statement you are able to do, including with your own representatives. The statement is below. Thank you.
