Governor Carlson Writes Governor Walz
Former Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson was respected by many people across the state for his moderate conservatism. Since retiring from politics, Carlson had been a tireless advocate for education and the environment. Last year, he and a few others produced a report called The Future is Today, which looked at the corrupting influences of money in politics and the impact on the environment, including the ongoing debate over copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Wilderness.
On February 4th, Carlson spoke with Governor Tim Walz to discuss this issue. Carlson has released a copy of that letter. It's long but worth the time. Here's a link to the report: The Future is Today https://www.thefutureistoday.info/report
Dear Governor Walz,
Your call Friday was most welcome and I am grateful that the doors of communication are now open. For some three years, my colleagues and I have been working for this moment and fully look forward to this opportunity to engage with your administration. As you stated, we share the same goal of providing for the betterment of the people.
With that in mind, it is imperative that we continue this candid and open discussion about protecting Minnesota’s available water for human consumption, agriculture, and other critical economic and recreational purposes. Water is Minnesota’s most vital and irreplaceable competitive edge: we should treat it as our most valued natural asset.
We know that the world is in a state of crisis relative to the availability of useable water. Pew Research, which has been documenting this oncoming disaster, published a report on November 11, 2021, that declared that by 2025, one-half of the world’s population “ will reside in water-stressed areas “. Currently, some 2 billion people endure that condition of suffering with over 2,300 dying daily.
Additionally, National Geographic Magazine, in its August 12, 2020 issue, ran a featured article entitled :
WHY IS AMERICA RUNNING OUT OF WATER? They declared that global demand will increase by 55% over the next twenty-five-plus years. At the same time, according to scientists interviewed by the magazine, “ Many regions of the United States could see their freshwater supply reduced by as much as a third.”
The magazine went on to urge action: “ With 40 out of 50 states expecting water shortages, it’s time to start thinking about where our water is going. “ And TIME Magazine, in its July 27, 2021 issue, led with the headline:
WE’RE IN A WATER CRISIS. WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT
It is absolutely essential that this advice receive the urgency that it merits.
Here are three areas where we are clearly not on the same page:
1- Liability. In an interview with Walker Orenstein published in MinnPost on August 12, 2019, you stated, “ People here are fairly sophisticated. They know that Glencore is running the show. “
This tenet is upheld by the 18 DFL legislators who sent you a letter on July 24, 2019 imploring you to take action on the issue of liability. They wrote, “ Glencore, the true power behind the PolyMet project, has structured the financing so that they get the first profits from the mine and then wash their hands of the problem.
They have shown themselves to be one of the most irresponsible companies around.”
Betty McCollum, representing the 4th Congressional District, added that this “ appears to represent an absolutely intolerable breach of the public trust by two regulatory agencies.” And those agencies work at your direction.
Now, more than two and half years later, Glencore is still not a signatory to the permit and, hence, fully escapes liability. As we know from the collapse of the Brazilian dam in January of 2019, the damages exceeded $7 billion and, as has been disclosed, the consultant who was involved in the design of that dam has been utilized by PolyMet. This is not very comforting.
You may recall your promise in that same MinnPost interview, “ The only way this gets built is if it gets built right.” I am certain you and I can agree that not having Glencore fully responsible for the PolyMet project would not only be a breach of that promise but would also constitute a complete abandonment of your oath of office which is to provide for the “ security, benefit and protection of the people, “.
2- The proposed dam. As you well know, your Department of Natural Resources hired an outside independent expert to evaluate the safety and viability of the proposed PolyMet project. In his findings, he stated that the dam proposal and design were “ inherently unstable and irresponsible “ and concluded that it “ will eventually fail.”
I cannot think of a more serious red flag and one that warranted an immediate independent and professionally competent investigation. Just think, the Brazilian dam collapse killed 270 people and permanently destroyed the environment with costs estimated to be in excess of $7 billion. What could be more serious?
Yet, your appointee, Jess Richard’s, who holds a BA degree and possesses no advanced degree in engineering or the sciences was selected to assure the public that the dam was quite safe. Based on what? This was a political answer to a highly technical problem and, considering the horrendous consequences, goes beyond my comprehension.
3- Doing business with a corrupt company. We discussed this during our conversation and my recollection is that you felt your administration was following the law. If that assessment is based on an independent legal review by a competent authority such as the Office of the Attorney General. then it is incumbent upon your office to seek a change in that law.
We should be able to agree that Glencore is not just reckless but operates as a global outlaw violating with regularity child labor laws, contractual agreements, environmental standards, and its specialty, the bribery of public officials. You are undoubtedly aware that they are currently under investigation in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and, here, in the United States. As a matter of interest, just a few months ago, a key Glencore trader agreed to turn State’s Evidence in a bribery trial currently underway in Federal Court in New York City. This should produce some interesting news for the election season.
I want to believe that your administration would not want to, in any way, be part of any process that turns over the health of Lake Superior to such a totally corrupt company.
With that in mind, I am bringing to your attention legislation that will be introduced shortly. It is referred to as the Bad Actors bill and is designed to protect the State of Minnesota from entering into agreements with unsavory and untrustworthy partners. This is precisely what this situation calls for and, I am certain, is precisely what you would want to fully embrace.
I would also add that a health study as petitioned for by the Minnesota health community, including the Mayo Clinic, would be very much in order. It is inexplicable as to why this was not initially done. Nevertheless, this mistake should be corrected now.
In addition, the Prove It First bill will again be on the legislative agenda and I truly hope your administration will get fully behind it. Time and again, mining companies have assured the public on issues of health and safety but their track record indicates quite the opposite. Here is what Walter Mondale stated:
“ We have learned much about the catastrophic consequences of sulfide-ore mining. Above all else, we have learned that sulfide-ore mining has never -- never been undertaken without serious environmental consequences. Sulfide-ore mining is dangerous everywhere and most dangerous in wet environments. They ( contaminates) will surely outlive all of us and will just as surely outlive the mining company’s pledges, promises, and sureties. “
I feel these approaches will help provide for the health and safety of the people of Minnesota. However, there is one large need that remains and that is a water plan which your administration should initiate. As TIME magazine implored,
“ We’re In A Water Crisis. We Need To Act Like It “.
At present, there is no study that measures current supply and demand and extrapolates that out over the next fifteen to twenty years. This is desperately needed. As all studies on water scarcity have stated, the first step is to protect the supply of fresh water presently available. This means the immediate imposition of a prudent moratorium on all projects that threaten the health and safety of our existing waters.
As a result of the MPCA reports mandated by the Federal Government under the Clean Waters Act, we know that in 2019, 56% of our lakes, rivers, and streams were “ impaired “. In 2021, the MPCA added an additional 304 including the Upper St Croix River which merges with the Mississippi River, the provider of water for the Twin Cities, some metropolitan communities, and an endless number of towns and cities further south. If these waters are contaminated, where will all these communities go for their water? Adding to this is the growing reality that we do not have a handle on the extent of damage caused by the “forever chemicals “.
This all points to the obvious:
WE MUST PROTECT LAKE SUPERIOR AT ALL COSTS
After all, Lake Superior contains fully 10% of the world’s fresh surface water and will, undoubtedly, become the major source of useable water for Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. A water plan would confirm that.
The University of Minnesota is the institution that most likely has the resources necessary to be able to handle this undertaking. This project is not only non - controversial but reflects the best in prudent leadership. However, a practical moratorium is absolutely essential in order to keep our current stock healthy.
Last August, I sent to your office the commentary “ The Future Is Now “ which outlined the massive operations that have been developed by the legislative party caucuses. They amassed over $26 million for their 2020 election campaigns. This alone is frightening but it becomes catastrophic when one reads the report prepared by the Humphrey School of Public Policy and released to the public last May. This study, undertaken by two Professors, noted the special treatment and favors accorded to wealthy donors including the opportunity to “shape “ legislation.
Hence, while the environmental groups and others were totally unable to obtain a hearing on their bills designed to protect Minnesotans from the contamination of our waters and doing business with totally corrupt companies, the monied interests were inside massaging legislation. Governor, this is totally corrupt and must end immediately.
Not only is an independent investigation called for but also the implementation of the reforms we recommended in the report mentioned above. I will send you another copy.
Minnesotans deserve and expect from all of its policymakers the leadership needed to protect and preserve our defining natural resource. It is central to our growth and success. For instance, last fiscal year, Minnesota had a net population gain of 225 people. This is stunning. A state with a population of 5.7 million people only added this small amount of residents. No doubt, a part of this can be due to Covid but, what should concern everyone, is that the State Demographer noted that the largest decline is with young college-age adults. This is exactly the population that will invest in a state that protects the health of their families, is sensitive to the needs of an expanding economy, and provides outdoor recreational opportunities centered on Minnesota’s unique bodies of water.
Our future is not with Glencore. It is in attracting and retaining young adults and their families. Bold leadership, your leadership can make this happen.
If we can agree on an agenda that fully protects our water and the integrity of our governance, I will gladly partner with you.
At the conclusion of our call, you agreed to put in writing your position on these water issues. I look forward to hearing from you and, again, thank you for the phone call.
My best,
Arne
On February 4th, Carlson spoke with Governor Tim Walz to discuss this issue. Carlson has released a copy of that letter. It's long but worth the time. Here's a link to the report: The Future is Today https://www.thefutureistoday.info/report
Dear Governor Walz,
Your call Friday was most welcome and I am grateful that the doors of communication are now open. For some three years, my colleagues and I have been working for this moment and fully look forward to this opportunity to engage with your administration. As you stated, we share the same goal of providing for the betterment of the people.
With that in mind, it is imperative that we continue this candid and open discussion about protecting Minnesota’s available water for human consumption, agriculture, and other critical economic and recreational purposes. Water is Minnesota’s most vital and irreplaceable competitive edge: we should treat it as our most valued natural asset.
We know that the world is in a state of crisis relative to the availability of useable water. Pew Research, which has been documenting this oncoming disaster, published a report on November 11, 2021, that declared that by 2025, one-half of the world’s population “ will reside in water-stressed areas “. Currently, some 2 billion people endure that condition of suffering with over 2,300 dying daily.
Additionally, National Geographic Magazine, in its August 12, 2020 issue, ran a featured article entitled :
WHY IS AMERICA RUNNING OUT OF WATER? They declared that global demand will increase by 55% over the next twenty-five-plus years. At the same time, according to scientists interviewed by the magazine, “ Many regions of the United States could see their freshwater supply reduced by as much as a third.”
The magazine went on to urge action: “ With 40 out of 50 states expecting water shortages, it’s time to start thinking about where our water is going. “ And TIME Magazine, in its July 27, 2021 issue, led with the headline:
WE’RE IN A WATER CRISIS. WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT
It is absolutely essential that this advice receive the urgency that it merits.
Here are three areas where we are clearly not on the same page:
1- Liability. In an interview with Walker Orenstein published in MinnPost on August 12, 2019, you stated, “ People here are fairly sophisticated. They know that Glencore is running the show. “
This tenet is upheld by the 18 DFL legislators who sent you a letter on July 24, 2019 imploring you to take action on the issue of liability. They wrote, “ Glencore, the true power behind the PolyMet project, has structured the financing so that they get the first profits from the mine and then wash their hands of the problem.
They have shown themselves to be one of the most irresponsible companies around.”
Betty McCollum, representing the 4th Congressional District, added that this “ appears to represent an absolutely intolerable breach of the public trust by two regulatory agencies.” And those agencies work at your direction.
Now, more than two and half years later, Glencore is still not a signatory to the permit and, hence, fully escapes liability. As we know from the collapse of the Brazilian dam in January of 2019, the damages exceeded $7 billion and, as has been disclosed, the consultant who was involved in the design of that dam has been utilized by PolyMet. This is not very comforting.
You may recall your promise in that same MinnPost interview, “ The only way this gets built is if it gets built right.” I am certain you and I can agree that not having Glencore fully responsible for the PolyMet project would not only be a breach of that promise but would also constitute a complete abandonment of your oath of office which is to provide for the “ security, benefit and protection of the people, “.
2- The proposed dam. As you well know, your Department of Natural Resources hired an outside independent expert to evaluate the safety and viability of the proposed PolyMet project. In his findings, he stated that the dam proposal and design were “ inherently unstable and irresponsible “ and concluded that it “ will eventually fail.”
I cannot think of a more serious red flag and one that warranted an immediate independent and professionally competent investigation. Just think, the Brazilian dam collapse killed 270 people and permanently destroyed the environment with costs estimated to be in excess of $7 billion. What could be more serious?
Yet, your appointee, Jess Richard’s, who holds a BA degree and possesses no advanced degree in engineering or the sciences was selected to assure the public that the dam was quite safe. Based on what? This was a political answer to a highly technical problem and, considering the horrendous consequences, goes beyond my comprehension.
3- Doing business with a corrupt company. We discussed this during our conversation and my recollection is that you felt your administration was following the law. If that assessment is based on an independent legal review by a competent authority such as the Office of the Attorney General. then it is incumbent upon your office to seek a change in that law.
We should be able to agree that Glencore is not just reckless but operates as a global outlaw violating with regularity child labor laws, contractual agreements, environmental standards, and its specialty, the bribery of public officials. You are undoubtedly aware that they are currently under investigation in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and, here, in the United States. As a matter of interest, just a few months ago, a key Glencore trader agreed to turn State’s Evidence in a bribery trial currently underway in Federal Court in New York City. This should produce some interesting news for the election season.
I want to believe that your administration would not want to, in any way, be part of any process that turns over the health of Lake Superior to such a totally corrupt company.
With that in mind, I am bringing to your attention legislation that will be introduced shortly. It is referred to as the Bad Actors bill and is designed to protect the State of Minnesota from entering into agreements with unsavory and untrustworthy partners. This is precisely what this situation calls for and, I am certain, is precisely what you would want to fully embrace.
I would also add that a health study as petitioned for by the Minnesota health community, including the Mayo Clinic, would be very much in order. It is inexplicable as to why this was not initially done. Nevertheless, this mistake should be corrected now.
In addition, the Prove It First bill will again be on the legislative agenda and I truly hope your administration will get fully behind it. Time and again, mining companies have assured the public on issues of health and safety but their track record indicates quite the opposite. Here is what Walter Mondale stated:
“ We have learned much about the catastrophic consequences of sulfide-ore mining. Above all else, we have learned that sulfide-ore mining has never -- never been undertaken without serious environmental consequences. Sulfide-ore mining is dangerous everywhere and most dangerous in wet environments. They ( contaminates) will surely outlive all of us and will just as surely outlive the mining company’s pledges, promises, and sureties. “
I feel these approaches will help provide for the health and safety of the people of Minnesota. However, there is one large need that remains and that is a water plan which your administration should initiate. As TIME magazine implored,
“ We’re In A Water Crisis. We Need To Act Like It “.
At present, there is no study that measures current supply and demand and extrapolates that out over the next fifteen to twenty years. This is desperately needed. As all studies on water scarcity have stated, the first step is to protect the supply of fresh water presently available. This means the immediate imposition of a prudent moratorium on all projects that threaten the health and safety of our existing waters.
As a result of the MPCA reports mandated by the Federal Government under the Clean Waters Act, we know that in 2019, 56% of our lakes, rivers, and streams were “ impaired “. In 2021, the MPCA added an additional 304 including the Upper St Croix River which merges with the Mississippi River, the provider of water for the Twin Cities, some metropolitan communities, and an endless number of towns and cities further south. If these waters are contaminated, where will all these communities go for their water? Adding to this is the growing reality that we do not have a handle on the extent of damage caused by the “forever chemicals “.
This all points to the obvious:
WE MUST PROTECT LAKE SUPERIOR AT ALL COSTS
After all, Lake Superior contains fully 10% of the world’s fresh surface water and will, undoubtedly, become the major source of useable water for Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. A water plan would confirm that.
The University of Minnesota is the institution that most likely has the resources necessary to be able to handle this undertaking. This project is not only non - controversial but reflects the best in prudent leadership. However, a practical moratorium is absolutely essential in order to keep our current stock healthy.
Last August, I sent to your office the commentary “ The Future Is Now “ which outlined the massive operations that have been developed by the legislative party caucuses. They amassed over $26 million for their 2020 election campaigns. This alone is frightening but it becomes catastrophic when one reads the report prepared by the Humphrey School of Public Policy and released to the public last May. This study, undertaken by two Professors, noted the special treatment and favors accorded to wealthy donors including the opportunity to “shape “ legislation.
Hence, while the environmental groups and others were totally unable to obtain a hearing on their bills designed to protect Minnesotans from the contamination of our waters and doing business with totally corrupt companies, the monied interests were inside massaging legislation. Governor, this is totally corrupt and must end immediately.
Not only is an independent investigation called for but also the implementation of the reforms we recommended in the report mentioned above. I will send you another copy.
Minnesotans deserve and expect from all of its policymakers the leadership needed to protect and preserve our defining natural resource. It is central to our growth and success. For instance, last fiscal year, Minnesota had a net population gain of 225 people. This is stunning. A state with a population of 5.7 million people only added this small amount of residents. No doubt, a part of this can be due to Covid but, what should concern everyone, is that the State Demographer noted that the largest decline is with young college-age adults. This is exactly the population that will invest in a state that protects the health of their families, is sensitive to the needs of an expanding economy, and provides outdoor recreational opportunities centered on Minnesota’s unique bodies of water.
Our future is not with Glencore. It is in attracting and retaining young adults and their families. Bold leadership, your leadership can make this happen.
If we can agree on an agenda that fully protects our water and the integrity of our governance, I will gladly partner with you.
At the conclusion of our call, you agreed to put in writing your position on these water issues. I look forward to hearing from you and, again, thank you for the phone call.
My best,
Arne