The House Committee on Natural Resources has begun an investigation into the involvement of three environmental organizations—Earthjustice, the Wilderness Society, and the Center for Biological Diversity—in recent federal actions affecting mining in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest. Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), along with Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), sent letters to these groups seeking information about their influence.
In their communication, committee members stated: “The Committee is keen to discover the details of [Earthjustice’s, the Wilderness Society’s and the Center for Biological Diversity’s] backroom roles in the cancellation of the Twin Metals leases and the Superior Withdrawal, particularly given tax-exempt environmental groups’ continued pressure to oppose mining in Northern Minnesota and otherwise negatively influence America’s natural resource and energy priorities.”
The inquiry follows actions by the Biden administration in January 2022, which included canceling two long-standing mineral leases associated with the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel-cobalt mine. The administration also finalized a withdrawal of 225,504 acres from mineral exploration within Superior National Forest. These decisions came after years of environmental review and public input that included support from local communities, union workers, mineral developers, and some Members of Congress.
The Duluth Complex region holds significant U.S. reserves of nickel, cobalt, copper, and other valuable minerals critical for various industries. Earthjustice, the Wilderness Society, and the Center for Biological Diversity intervened legally in support of the Biden administration's decision to revoke these mining leases.
For more information on this ongoing investigation:
Read the Committee’s letter to the Center for Biological Diversity here.
Read the Committee’s letter to Earthjustice here.
Read the Committee’s letter to the Wilderness Society here.
