From Line 3 to the Talon Mine: Can we trust the MN DNR?

From Line 3 to the Talon Mine: Can we trust the MN DNR to protect our environment? 

Monday, June 8th, 5:30PM

A discussion with independent journalist Scott Russell, hosted by Wildflower Group media collective. 

Scott Russell, an independent journalist, has done extensive research on the State of Minnesota's failed approvals and construction oversight of the Enbridge Line 3 pipeline (2000-2021). On Monday, June 8, he will present his research at Sampaguita in Aitkin, describing the many ways Minnesota state regulators failed to protect the environment and serve citizens' best interests while permitting and overseeing construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline. Russell critiqued the Line 3 process in real time in the Healing Minnesota Stories blog.

Here is a link to this report: Enbridge Line 3 and the myth of environmental protection: A critique of how Minnesota state agencies charged with protecting our lands and waters failed at their jobs

This presentation is relevant to the proposed Talon-Rio Tinto Nickel Mine, as it shows how compliant the Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Agency are to corporate interests. Line 3 was not an aberration Russell also volunteers with People Not Polluters, a group of roughly 20 environmental orgs pushing the Minnesota State Legislature to take a hard look at state regulators' corporate bias. It affects all projects that threaten the environment, whether it's mining, crude oil pipelines, timber harvests on state lands, farm fertilizer and pesticide run-off, and large garbage incinerators. Like Line 3, our regulators routinely side with corporate interests.