Click Here to Explore CVSF Issues

 

Friends of the Cloquet Valley State

Forest


“That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology,

but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension

of ethics.”Aldo Leopold

 

If lands are said to be pristine are they more in need of protection than lands identified as degraded?

What does it mean when Forest Lands are "degraded" or "pristine"

Informational Forum

Non Ferrous Mining

(Sulfide Mining / Precious Metals Mining - Strip Mining for Precious Metals)

July 19th

Vermillion Community College Theatre

1900 East Camp Street

Ely, MN

7:00-9:00 PM

Sponsored by White Iron Chain of Lakes Association

and

Eagles Nest Lakes Association

 

 

 

 

The mission of the

Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest

is to advocate for and educate the public with regard to the responsible use and enjoyment of the natural and cultural resources of the

Cloquet Valley State Forest

To Help contact Friends@friendscvsf.org

Thank you but we do not accept donations

we simply ask that you explore the issues and participate in the decision making processes available to the public.

We strongly support the timber industry, in particular those who participate in FSC Sustainability

We strongly support Off Road Vehicles on Sustainable trails only - those marked open, mapped and maintained for safety and conservation.

We oppose gas taxes being diverted to special interest groups rather than that money being returned to individuals.


 

Current Issues

Non Ferrous Mining

See : Save Our Sky Blue Waters the SOS Blue Waters group is a leader in with regard to non ferrous mining in Northeastern Minnesota.

Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest is reviewing the issue of Non Ferrous Mining from the perspective of the rights of communities and surface property owners in Northeastern Minnesota. To many people in the area of the Duluth Complex the issue of surface rights vs mineral rights will be new and will take time to understand.

What are the concerns regarding Non Ferrous (means NOT iron also known as Sulfide or Precious metals) Mining?

These videos are of a recent program put on by the Duluth Izaak Walton League. They explore the issue of Non Ferrous mining.

Polymet Video 1 , 2, 3,  4 (Best short summary)  5,  Q&A 1, Q&A 2, Q&A 3 , Q&A 4 , Q&A 5 , Q&A 6

Why is land proposed to be sold from the Superior National Forest to Polymet?

What are the implications of the less stringent protections of Federal, State and County controlled lands - compared with the protections offered by this deed?

Jim Sanders of the US Forest Service in Duluth, when asked about this issue states :

This particular deed language is "part of the position the Forest Service has taken on this property, based on the current deed a strip mine on this particular property could not proceed. Based on our interpretation of the deed a deep mine (tunnel mine) could proceed as long as the surface was maintained. The company does not agree with this interpretation. We (PolyMet & Forest Service) have agreed to pursue a land exchange in an attempt to resolve this difference of opinion and now with the Legislation, HR 4292, there may be a second option. If neither of these options are successful, I expect the company and Forest Service will be in court over the interpretation of the deed."

As for other properties where the surface and minerals are under separate ownerships, each is a case-by-case evaluation based on the deed when the two were separated. So there is no universal approach to this concern
given the separation of the surface and mineral ownerships. "

Jim Sanders, Forest Supervisor
Superior National Forest
8901 Grand Ave. Place
Duluth, MN 55808
Phone: 218-626-4302
Fax: 218-626-4396
e-mail: jsanders01@fs.fed.us

 

See Page 69 Deed (all pages may be downloaded and magnified)

The Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest has read other commentaries on the issue of the possible lawsuit indicating that Polymet's case had little merit and their only avenue is to secure a political solution.

 
 

Invasive Species

Recently the St. Louis County Agriculture Inspector brought a petition signed by 67 townships asking for the invasive plant, Spotted Knapweed, to be added to the primary invasive species list. The St. Louis County Board recieved the petition but the commisioners who led opposition to increasing efforts against the weed stated that the petition was a plot to gain restricitons over ATVs. It is unfortunate that some commissioners have again viewed issues throught the special lens of their pet projects. Their fears were both unfounded in intent of the townships in asking for the restriction and in the relationship of off road vehicles to primary infestations. Further, where off road vehicles are kept on properly selected and maintained routes, they are carefully monitored for invasive species. It is only in the strange system of management north of Highway Two (clung to by those with the ATV industry not the rights of the people to have a healthy forest in mind) that vehicles are left to roam on unmaintained trails - and through no fault of their own spread the invasives that are so harmful to forests (as does any animal or vehicle passing through the sticky - heavily seeding plant group).

The timber industry is critical to our region and it is important to steward that industry long into the future.   Invasive species are indeed a threat to the timber industry and that industry has taken great strides in protecting the resources it depends upon for livlihoods many generations into the future.   Both the Forest Stewardship Council, that certifies the DNR maintained forests of our region and the SFI group that certifies St.Louis County lands (comparison here) are keenly aware of the issue.

It’s good for citizens to be informed about invasives species that are in our region are.   Some of the ones currently of concern are Buckthorn, Spotted Knapweed, Leafy Spurge, Canada Thistle and Tansy.  The DNR has great resources on this.   One very good link is http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/index.html.  

Emerald Ash Borer is another threat to our forest, this is an insect transported in firewood.   A local retailer accidentally sold some that was from an infested area.  Watch the video from the DNR to learn about how you can help control Emerald Ash Borer and why you should.

Spotted Knapweed is an invasive that looks pretty in bloom but not so when it's past that point.   It crowds out other plants, actually exuding a chemical that makes it hard for other plants to grow, and is getting a real foothold in the area.   Hay is a big agricultural product for our region and if this gets in a hay field or pasture it can make cattle sick, ruin the value of the hay and spoil the area for wild habitat.  It can also make it difficult for new red pine to thrive.  

So if you find the pretty green and yellow Leafy Spurge in your yard - pull it up.  If you find Spotted Knapweed put some gloves on before you pull it, it can irritate skin.  And best to start early, these weeds spread and can be a real pain to get rid of.  Spotted Knapweed usually gets it's start in an area when gravel is trucked in or an area is left bare and open, you might think it looks like aster or chicory.  

If you see a patch of an invasive or "noxious" weed not on your property but on public property, like Leafy Spurge or Spotted Knapweed, call the St.Louis County Land Department or the DNR and they'll take proper measures.

Our forest is lovely to play in, of benefit to the whole world as a resource.  We can help keep it that way.

 

The Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest

Support the development of the

Vermillion State Park

The proposed park on Lake Vermillion reflects the kind of use for public lands that we support.  However, in the clip below, Craig Engwall, DNR, discusses plans for off road vehicles within the park which he has since clarified do not represent actual plans or intentions of the planning group. It is with that assurance that we supported the acquisition of the lands and trust the park will be developed in a manner that is consistant with other State Parks.

Vermillion Park : discussion



 

 

 

The Watershed of the Cloquet River

Issues confronting the Forest:

Non Ferrous Mining

The Economic Role of Metal Mining in Minnesota:

Past, Present, and Future


SEE REPORT HERE


By Thomas Michael Power

Economics Department

University of Montana

Missoula, Montana  59812


October 2007

This powerful report is a must read for anyone interested in Northern Minnesota, St. Louis County or the Cloquet Valley State Forest.

Minnesota Minerals and Mining





 




Photos of Spotted Knapweed along Pequaywan Lake Road











Photos of OHV Damage in CVSF - Pathways for infestation



 

VIDEO OF BACKCOUNTRY HUNTING IN IDAHO

Please enjoy viewing this well organized and informative video (ORV Fly over Video - Protecting Backcountry Hunting in Southern Idaho

The Friends of CVSF asks that you take the time to study the issues
and participate in decision making

We support the Timber Industry,
and the efforts towards sustainability by that industry

We strongly recommend Sustainable Trails that have community support in their specific locations, with regard to Off Road Vehicles in the forest, including all trucks, atvs and motorcycles, we support environmental review of any trail that permits Off Road Vehicles.

 

The following organizations also support a limited classification.

 The Friends of the Boundary Waters
The Duluth League of Women Voters
The Minnesota League of Women Voters
The Izaak Walton League, McCabe Chapter
Minnesotans for Responsible Recreation
The MN DNR Fish and Wildlife Employees Assn.
The Minnesota Chapter of the Wildlife Society
Townships
Audubon Mn
The Minnesota Fish and Wildlife Employee's Association has warned the "Managed" designation is harmful to the forests.

http://www.mfwea.org/resolutionsletters.html

 

 

Contact Friends of the Cloquet Valley State Forest at friends@friendscvsf.org    218 310 6023