White Iron Chain Of Lakes Association

The Ice is in with both anglers and snowmobilers out on the lakes. Here is a view of White Iron Lake taken by one of our Board Members, Jeff Pike on 1/9/16.

Remember, there really is no sure answer as to when Ice is safe. You can't judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors -- plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, currents, water chemistry, movement of fish, and the distribution of the load on the ice.

The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture today announced important steps to protect the watershed of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).

Officials of the agencies said the massive underground mine proposed along the Kawishiwi River is simply too close to the BWCAW. The project is within the BWCAW watershed that flows north into Canada, and critics have said that any polluted runoff from rock high in sulfur could taint the popular, lake-studded wilderness.

Citing broad concerns from thousands of public comments and input about potential impacts of mining on the wilderness area’s watershed, fish and wildlife, and the nearly $45 million recreation economy, the agencies today took actions that denied an application for renewal of two hard rock mineral leases in the area, as well as initiated steps to withdraw key portions of the watershed from new mineral permits and leases.

“The Boundary Waters is a natural treasure, special to the 150,000 who canoe, fish, and recreate there each year, and is the economic life blood to local business that depend on a pristine natural resource,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a joint statement with Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. “I have asked Interior to take a time out, conduct a careful environmental analysis and engage the public on whether future mining should be authorized on any federal land next door to the Boundary Waters.”

“Today’s best available science is helping us understand the value of the land and water and potential impacts of development in places like the Boundary Waters,” Jewell said. “This is the right action to take to avoid irrevocably damaging this watershed and its recreation-based economy, while also taking the time and space to review whether to further protect the area from all new mining.”

The BLM will review the withdrawal application and issue a notice in the Federal Register to segregate the lands – essentially, place them in a ‘time out’ – for up to two years, subject to valid existing rights.  To preserve the status quo during that ‘time out,’ no new mineral exploration or development applications would be accepted while a thorough, scientific environmental analysis is conducted.  Upon publication of the Federal Register notice, there will be an initial 90-day public review period for the proposed withdrawal and additional analysis during the segregation period that will include further public involvement, including public meetings. The next administration would have the option of revisiting the BLM’s decision, though any unilateral termination of the review would likely prompt a backlash.

Twin Metals Minnesota, a subsidiary of the Chilean mining giant Antofagasta, holds the two expired mineral leases dating to 1966. It applied for their renewal in 2012, and federal officials held two listening sessions in the state this summer and received more than 30,000 comments. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton (D) came out against renewal, as did Minnesotan and former vice president Walter Mondale.

BLM Press Release; https://www.blm.gov/press-release/obama-administration-takes-steps-protect-watershed-boundary-waters-canoe-area

Duluth News Tribune; http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/business/mining/4180601-feds-take-back-mineral-leases-twin-metals

Washington Post; https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/12/15/obama-administration-denies-mining-leases-near-boundary-waters-wilderness-in-minnesota/?utm_term=.59b7f4491a57

Several WICOLA Board members report Lake Ice Observations to the Minnesota DNR. Their observations will occasionally be posted here as a reverence to WICOLA members.

Remember, there really is no sure answer as to when Ice is safe. You can't judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all these factors -- plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, currents, water chemistry, movement of fish, and the distribution of the load on the ice.

For more information on Ice Safety, follow this link to the Minnesota DNR website; http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/ice/index.html

12/9/2016

White Iron

The cold weather has finally arrived. White Iron is completely frozen over this morning…Dec 9^th. Everyone hope is to make some good ice with predicted cold weather coming. As a point of reference, “Ice In” for White Iron last year was on November 29^th.

Garden

Widespread ice has been reported on Garden Lake. He seemed a bit uncertain about the area near the dam where the current runs, but from a distance it appears to be ice.

Farm

Ice in has been reported for Farm Lake.  Some open water may be on the river side of Farm due to the current.Several WICOLA Board members report Lake Ice Observations to the Minnesota DNR. Their observations will occasionally be posted here as a reverence to WICOLA members.

From MPR News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a new financial responsibility rule for the hard rock mining industry, aimed at ensuring that taxpayers aren't left on the hook for potentially expensive mine clean-ups.

The rule would require mining companies to demonstrate their ability to pay for clean-up costs by using financial instruments such as trust funds, bonds or letters of credit. It would cover copper, gold, iron ore and other kinds of hard rock mines under the federal Superfund law — but not coal operations.

In a statement announcing the proposal, the EPA argued that by moving the financial risk from taxpayers, the rule would give mining companies "an economic incentive to use environmentally protective practices that can help prevent future release."

The EPA reports it spent nearly $1.1 billion between 2010 and 2014 on response and clean up actions at mines and mineral processing sites.

The agency estimates the rule would affect 221 facilities nationwide, including 14 in Minnesota, the third-most of any state.

Frank Ongaro, with the industry group Mining Minnesota, said Minnesota already has comprehensive financial assurance rules for copper-nickel mines.

"This will result in no benefit to a project, no benefit to the environment, no benefit to the taxpayers," he said. "It will add nothing but cost and chase away investment."

It's unclear what kind of impact the rule could have on the state's iron ore mining industry. Representatives from mining companies and the state's trade association could not be reached for comment.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which oversees mine reclamation and administers financial assurance requirements for mines, has not yet seen the EPA's proposal.

"DNR will of course be looking closely at EPA's ideas for federal requirements and evaluating how they might relate to Minnesota's own rigorous environmental and taxpayer protections," said assistant DNR commissioner Barb Naramore.

The public has 60 days to comment on the rule.

For more information and to comment, please visit the EPA website;

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-financial-responsibility-requirements-hardrock-mining-industry

From The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Lake associations and local governments have significantly boosted their spending in recent years against aquatic invasive species, or AIS, according to a statewide survey of local efforts.

Although the dollar amount — about $3 million a year — isn’t huge, it’s nearly half of what the state government spends on prevention and eradication of invaders like zebra mussels and starry stonewort.

Private residents and lake associations spent nearly $2 million fighting invasive species in 2015, while local governments spent about $1 million, according to the survey, sponsored by the Minnesota Coalition of Lake Associations and Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates. That’s nearly double the amount spent five years ago by private groups and local governments.

“Lake associations, if taken collectively, are the hardest-working, most generous, most effective conservation group in the state,” said Jeff Forester, executive director of Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates.

Forester said the statewide spending survey actually understates the amount being spent locally, as fewer than half of the state’s 500-plus lake associations participated.

With the recent tilt toward more conservative leadership at the state and federal government levels, Forester said, it’s even more vital for local groups and individuals to do their part to keep Minnesota’s waters clean.

“People will say to me, ‘Why isn’t the state doing something?’ ” Forester said. “So I’m telling people: We just voted for smaller government, less money, fewer rules. So how do we protect these lakes?

“We do it on the ground, lake by lake. It is time for you to step forward and claim your responsibility. It is about people acting locally to protect a resource that is critical to their economy and their way of life.”

“Lake associations don’t own the public waters, but when there’s a problem, they own the problem.”

The state welcomes local efforts against AIS, said Heidi Wolf, invasive species supervisor at the state Department of Natural Resources.

“We are very happy to have local partners and we support that,” Wolf said. Only about 5 percent of Minnesota’s waters are infested with an AIS, Wolf said, and local efforts can help keep that number down.

To read the full article, go to:

http://www.startribune.com/lake-associations-local-governments-boost-spending-against-aquatic-invaders/404501826/

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding lake property owners to carefully check boats and trailers, docks and lifts, and all other water-related equipment for invasive species when closing cabins for winter. Several recent new zebra mussel confirmations were initially reported by people making end of season inspections of docks, boats and boat lifts.

“These recent confirmations serve as a reminder of the importance of carefully examining all equipment when taking it out of the water,” said Heidi Wolf, DNR invasive species unit supervisor. “A few simple steps now can help prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species.”

The DNR recommends these steps for lake property owners:

• Look on the posts, wheels and underwater support bars of docks and lifts, as well as any parts of boats, pontoons and rafts that may have been submerged in water for an extended period.
• Hire DNR-permitted lake service provider businesses to install or remove boats, docks, lifts and other water-related equipment. These businesses have attended training on Minnesota’s aquatic invasive species laws and many have experience identifying and removing invasive species.

Contact an area DNR aquatic invasive species specialist if you think you have discovered an invasive species that has not already been confirmed in your lake.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) released the following statement following reports that Antofagasta, the Chilean parent company of Twin Metals, could face up to a $24 million fine for violating Chile’s environmental protection laws:

“The revelation of Antofagasta’s environmental violations at a Chilean mine is yet another reason to reject this company’s plans to conduct dangerous mining in Minnesota’s Rainy River Drainage Basin.

“Sulfide-ore copper mining is an inherently risky activity and would likely lead to permanent damage to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park. Antofagasta’s poor environmental record conducting this type of mining in its home country exacerbates that risk.

“The Obama administration should act quickly to prevent Antofagasta from conducting sulfide-ore copper mining in the Rainy River Drainage Basin. We simply cannot allow a company that shows a reckless disregard for environmental regulations to mine next to our Minnesota treasures.”

http://mccollum.house.gov/press-release/mccollum-statement-twin-metals%E2%80%99-parent-company%E2%80%99s-environmental-violations.

Chile's environmental regulator SMA is seeking sanctions against Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres Copper Mine for breaching its environmental permit in relation to the management of water resources and failure to reforest some zones affected by mining activity. Antofagasta is the Chilean parent company of Twin Metals which has proposed to develop a mine and processing plant in the Kawishiwi watershed.

The nine charges, the second of their kind against the mine in the last 19 months, could lead to a $23.8 million fine and even the temporary or indefinite closure of Los Pelambres, SMA said in an e-mailed statement.

The infractions include the extraction of water from unauthorized sites, the construction of unapproved wells and the failure to reforest some areas as required by law.

Five of those alleged were considered serious and four minor, the SMA said.

In March last year, a Chilean court ordered the firm to destroy a giant dam it constructed for the mine, located 200 km north of capital Santiago. The company appealed, and the decision was revoked last August.

Antofagastahas 10 days to present a compliance plan to the SMA or 15 days to present a defense. The punishment for the alleged infractions could be a fine of $23.8 million or the temporary or indefinite closure of the mine, the SMA said.

In 2013, the SMA initiated a separate regulatory proceeding against Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres for mismanaging archeological sites.

Los Pelambres, located in Chile's north-central Coquimbo region, produced 375,800 tons of copper in 2015.

Wildlife Forever and Wired2Fish collaborated on a short film, which displays rarely seen footage of several Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) from unique perspectives.This 3-1/2 video provides a visual of infested lakes in MN and encourages us to do more to keep our waters clean.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2frO0QWHI

We need your help to insure that the waters of the White Iron Chain of Lakes remains clean and pure forever!

WICOLA has received the following update from the Forest Service on the White Iron burn:

The US Forest Service will NOT be conducting the burn on White Iron Lake as they had planned to do in 2016 as noted in earlier “Latest News Posts” from May.  However, the Forest Service will burn piles in the same area (Peninsula across from the inflow from Birch) today October 11^th, so WICOLA members could smell or see smoke today.  Fire managers still plan to burn the slash they cut last year, but no date is set yet. 

Below is a map of the area for the area in question.