Environmental groups press for review of iron ore expansion

Three northern Minnesota environmental groups are asking a state court to order a more thorough review of an iron ore mine expansion.

Save Our Sky Blue Waters, Save Lake Superior Association and Wetlands Action Group want the state Department of Natural Resources to conduct an environmental impact statement of the proposed expansion of Northshore Mining's Peter Mitchell pit near Babbitt.

Bob Tammen, a member of the Wetlands Action Group, said the DNR's analysis was insufficient.

"There's implications for their mine plan that should be thoroughly examined," said Tammen, of Soudan, Minn. "So far they haven't done that."

DNR officials would not comment on the litigation. But in April they said an environmental impact statement "is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects."