Continuing their legal challenge to the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in Hoyt Lakes, environmental groups are asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to weigh in, after the Court of Appeals rejected their claim that state regulations for hard-rock mining are too vague. Aaron Klemz with Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy says in at least three different points in their decision, “the Court of Appeals said that the Supreme Court had not decided on a critical question of law regarding this case.”
PolyMet backers respond the courts have confirmed the strength of Minnesota’s environmental protection laws and ultimately the project will move forward. Klemz fires back, “It’s incorrect and I think a little bit arrogant for somebody to say that they know how the courts will decide these cases in advance. We want the courts to take a close look… and we’re not gonna pre-judge that in advance of the decisions themselves.”