I was near the headwaters of the Minnesota River last week to attend a public hearing in Clinton, Minnesota on a new mine being proposed along the river, (see below) just south of Ortonville, in Big Stone County.  It's near the Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, so needless to say, the scenic photo opportunities were abundant.

Here are a few photos from the meeting in Clinton and the surrounding area.  If you are using them, please credit Anne Queenan.  Thanks.

Clinton Memorial Building, Clinton, MN

Strata ammunition expert presenting to commission

Citizens in attendance.

 

Attendees listening to corporate presentation.

 

Members in attendance

Brian Wojtalewicz and

State of MN House of Representative Andrew Falk, District 20A &

  

 

Homeowner Art Lee submits info on comparable decreasing home values.

 

Nancy Aune addresses landowner access for family business.

Shawn May addresses environmental & health concerns.

 

Don Robertson addressing legacy values and need for longer public response time.

Planning Commission members

 

Full house at public hearing.

Ball Cactus Flower, an endangered species in the Minnesota River Valley.

View from Hwy 75 of Clark Mastell's feedlot.

Kathy Longhenry, Ortonville landowner/business owner with access concerns on Hwy 75

Longhenry's Granite View Farm on Hwy 75

 

 Adjacent bicycle path - point of origin near Big Stone Lake.

Big Stone Lake

Minnesota River in Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Lichen, a rare plant species, on granite rocks in the area.

Granite outcrops with lichen

A flock of geese on nearby lake.

Deer on stone outcrops in wildlife refuge.

Here is a press release related to these photos and the public hearing held on January 5th.  The continuation of that meeting is February 2nd, 2012.