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Business North - Around The Region - Duluth & Superior Newspaper
Water keeps rising
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Search continues for a fix to prevent potentially catastrophic failure of the Canisteo Mine Pit next to Coleraine, Bovey and Taconite. 4/5/2007 by Beth Bily |
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ITASCA COUNTY — Abandoned open-faced mine pits on the Mesabi Iron Range are not unusual. At first glance, the Canisteo seems no different than others. A second look, however, reveals the potential for overflow, possibly a near-term catastrophic failure wiping out any of three nearby Range communities.
The Canisteo is not a single pit, but a series of numerous small pits, mined for iron ore from 1907 until the mid-1980s. When the last dewatering pump was turned off in 1985, water began to rise quickly — 70 feet per year initially. The rate of inflow has slowed dramatically in recent years, to about two feet a year. But, the rising water, caused by both ground water coming up and precipitation coming down, has created a man-made water body four and one-half miles long and a half-mile wide. At some soundings the Canisteo is more than 300 feet deep.
With the water level rising, so has the danger. The Canisteo water level has surpassed the mark above bedrock and pushes against higher, softer and less stable materials that erode under its pressure. A January 2007 reading by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) guaged the water levek at just 13.7 feet from the point of overflow.
The threat
The rising water in the Canisteo poses a serious threat to the towns of Bovey, Coleraine and Taconite, as well as potential business development in the area.
Doug Learmont, project manager for the Western Mesaba Mine Planning Board, a joint powers entity representing 13 local units of government, cites numerous public safety issues.
“The problem is that the water level has been continuously rising over the past 20 years,” Learmont said. “The higher it rises, the higher the possibility of overflow or disaster.”
In addition to danger and damages from flooding, banks are eroding inside the series of pits frequented by fisherman and recreationalists.
The proposed Minnesota Steel project north of Nashwauk, an integrated mining and steel making operation, also could be impacted from impaired rail service.
The planning board has monitored the problem for more than a decade. Several studies and even a few unusual ideas have surfaced, for instance, removing water through wind generated electricity.
In December 2006, after a preferred outlet for the rising water was identified, Wenck Engineering of Maple Plains, MN issued a report for the planning board, funded through the DNR. The report provided detailed engineering and a $3.4 million cost estimate to fix the problem.
The Wenck design proposes a “north leg” controlled siphon to pull fresh water from the pit to Trout Lake, and a “south leg” siphon to move water from Trout Lake to the Swan River.”
The Wenck engineering plan would begin draining water in January 2008, lowering the level from 1,313 feet above sea level to 1,300 feet by 2013, below bedrock.
Mine liability
There were three major mining operations in the Canisteo region, Learmont said, Oliver Mining, Cleveland-Cliffs and Hanna Mining.
Today, mining companies are required to mitigate potential problems resulting from the cessation of mining operations. But, large scale mining in the area stopped prior to the Mineland Reclamation Act. It was enacted by the Minnesota Legislature in the early 1980s, according to Iron Range Resources, the state agency charged with economic development in the Taconite Tax Relief Area.
The only mining that remained after the Reclamation Act passed was a small scale “scram mining operation” by Rhude and Fryberger. This operation removed material from the pit, but not the pit walls. Rhude and Fryberger’s reclamation responsibility was limited to the ground it disturbed. Because other mining operations left prior to the passage of the Reclamation Act, those companies — some no longer in business — have no legal responsibility for the problem. That means the cost for the fix likely is limited to public funds.
State Rep. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids and former Bovey mayor, has been a strong advocate for moving the project forward for the last 10 years.
“I think we have a few years left (before overflow), depending on the weather,” he said. “But, the problem is there and it needs to be fixed.”
Freshman Rep. Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam, represents the area directly threatened by the Canisteo’s rising waters. He has made the issue a priority since taking office in January.
“It’s a matter of getting people to see it’s an emergency,” said Anzelc, noting concern for the potential impact upon a Minnesota Steel project that promises 700 jobs.
“The Minnesota Steel mill project is one of the most exciting proposals for job creation in northern Minnesota,” Anzelc said. “If the railroad route is jeopardized, it impacts the entire project. We can’t allow that to happen.”
Solberg and Anzelc have pushed for the $3.4 million in financing needed in the 2007 session. The House bonding bill passed in late March includes $2.5 million. There was no money in a companion bonding bill working its way through the state Senate. Money could become available through a DNR flood mitigation fund.
Learmont said the Mine Planning Board also is seeking federal funding through the offices of U.S. Rep. James Oberstar, D-MN, and U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, R-MN.
While proceeding with the first siphon leg only has been discussed, Learmont doubts the project can start without full funding out of concern about Trout Lake’s capacity for handling the increased water flow. “If you can’t do the whole thing, do you do anything at all? I don’t know the answer to that,” he said.
Assuming ownership
Even with full funding, other issues must be addressed.
“People would like to see (construction) get underway this year, but it depends on three factors — financing, responsible governmental unit determination and permitting,” Learmont said.
Finding a responsible government unit to manage the project once completed has proven difficult. The Mine Planning Board has asked Itasca County to step forward. Others, including Anzelc, want DNR or Iron Range Resources Mineland Reclamation so designated.
Thus far, no government unit has stepped up to take project ownership. Without that, the permitting process for construction cannot begin.
Despite these roadblocks, Represen-tative Solberg remains optimistic a fix will occur before disaster strikes.
“If all (the funding) doesn’t come together this year, it think it will next year,” he said, noting the 2008 state bonding bill will be much larger, and funding could be phased in over a two-year period.
He added funding has been an obstacle in designating a responsible government unit. With money secured, the rest likely will fall into place, he said.
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