The U-S Forest Service has a public listening session in Ely tonight on whether it should renew mineral leases for the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine. Officials say they have concerns about how it would affect the B-W-C-A watershed. Congressman Rick Nolan responds attempts to stop a project only in its exploratory phase are “ridiculously premature… until you see what kind of a mining project it is and what kind of an environmental standards that will be required, and along with whatever kind of financial assurances.” Nolan says there’s the technology and political will to ensure the environment is protected.