Author Archives: Paula Maccabee
Petition to U.S. EPA to Strip State Authority and Protect Minnesota Water
On July 2, 2015, on behalf of WaterLegacy, I filed a petition under federal Clean Water Act regulations asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strip the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) authority to regulate mining pollution. Our WaterLegacy Petition … Continue reading
Minnesota Public Health Association Honor for Environmental Health Leadership
This summer, I was honored by the Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) with the 2015 Harvey G. Rogers Environmental Health Leadership Award. The MPHA recognized my environmental work as Advocacy Director and Legal Counsel for non-profit Water Legacy to prevent pollution … Continue reading
New Scholarship Supporting Tribal Authority under the Clean Water Act
Sulfide mining and other industrial activities that destroy wetlands have the potential to affect tribal waters both where the discharge originates and downstream. Pollution and destruction of habitats can impair treaty rights to hunt, fish and gather. Since 1987, federally-recognized … Continue reading
Still Fighting to Defend the Wild Rice Sulfate Standard
Minnesota’s wild rice standard is, again, under attack at the Minnesota Legislature. Although the extensive scientific research done with public funds by University of Minnesota researchers confirmed the validity of the 10 milligrams per liter sulfate standard to protect wild … Continue reading
Detailed Comments Submitted on Minnesota’s First Proposed Sulfide Mine
On March 13, 2014, on behalf of WaterLegacy, I submitted detailed comments and expert opinions criticizing the supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) for the PolyMet NorthMet project, Minnesota’s first proposed sulfide mine. Our 180 pages of WaterLegacy Comment on … Continue reading
Mineral Leases – Opening the Cozy Process to Public Scrutiny
In September 2012, I helped Matthew Tyler, a forester living in Northeastern Minnesota, file a petition asking that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prepare an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) before they sold non-ferrous mineral leases at auction to … Continue reading
Paula Maccabee files suit for WaterLegacy to Prevent Mining Pollution
Last Monday, WaterLegacy, represented by Paula Maccabee, filed suit in federal district court asking that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decision to allow the Mesabi Nugget iron plant a “variance” from complying with water quality standards be overturned. Similar lawsuits … Continue reading
Truth to Tell – Forum on Sulfide Mining June 12 in Duluth
KFAI’s Truth to Tell program is trekking north to Duluth to provide live television as well as on-line coverage for folks who want to learn more about sulfide mining. See Flyer for Truth to Tell June 12 Sulfide Mining. Panelists will … Continue reading
Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal of Chamber of Commerce Lawsuit — Keeps Wild Rice Rule
On December 17, 2012, just about two years after the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce filed its lawsuit to prevent enforcement of the wild rice sulfate standard, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the Chamber’s case. Court of Appeals Decision — Affirming … Continue reading
Prairie Island Nuclear Uprate – Out with a Whimper . . .
On November 7, 2012, after a long struggle where community members have challenged the safety and prudence of nuclear power expansion, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued an Order to Show Cause why the “uprate” at the Prairie Island Nuclear … Continue reading