Today, the House passed H.R. 3905, the “Minnesota’s Economic Rights in the Superior National Forest Act.” Introduced by Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), the bipartisan bill spurs economic growth and job creation through responsible development of mineral resources in Minnesota’s Superior National Forest.

“Mining has been a way of life for Minnesota since the 1800s and is a crucial part of our state’s economy. Unfortunately, this was not a shared interest with the Obama Administration. In their waning days, the previous administration took unnecessary, politically motivated actions by refusing to renew mineral leases and starting the process to withdraw nearly a quarter million acres of federal land from development. By passing the MINER Act today, we are protecting more than 10,000 jobs, and billions of dollars in revenue and education funding while leaving an extensive process intact to protect and preserve the environment and our beloved Boundary Waters,” Rep. Emmer stated.

“I thank Rep. Emmer for his leadership on this issue and commitment to protecting the economic livelihoods of his constituents. This bill protects jobs for Minnesotans while facilitating future economic opportunities across the state through responsible, environmentally sound mineral development,” Chairman Bishop said.  

"17,000 jobs, $3 billion for education, $1.5 billion in annual wages, $2.5 billion annually for our economy and a total of four billion tons of strategic-and-critical-mineral-containing ore – this is what is at risk if H.R. 3905 is not signed into law. Left unchallenged, the Obama Administration’s arbitrary termination of two hardrock mineral leases and politicized mining withdrawal – coming only the day before President Obama left office – sets precedent for a sweeping executive power grab that threatens communities throughout the country. All this bill does is secure the opportunity to present mining plans for an area already authorized for mining by Congress,” Congressman Gosar said. “The people of Minnesota should know they have a Representative who will fight for their livelihoods in Congressman Emmer.”

Click here to learn more about the bill.

Background

In the waning days of office, the Obama administration unilaterally proposed a massive land withdrawal from mineral development in a portion of the Superior National Forest located in Minnesota. The action threatens the loss of 17,000 jobs and $2.5 billion for the state’s economy.

H.R. 3905 reverses the unwarranted actions taken by the Obama administration and prevents future executive outreach by requiring Congressional approval of all mineral withdrawals within National Forest System lands in Minnesota.

H.R. 3905 joins H.R. 3115 (Rep. Rick Nolan, D-MN), the “Superior National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2017,” another bill benefitting Minnesota communities, that passed the House yesterday. The bipartisan bill facilitates a land exchange approved by the Obama administration and resolves a long running complication regarding split mineral and surface rights in the Superior National Forest.