SHARE YOUR VOICE

HELP PROTECT MINNESOTA’s CLEAN WATER

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting public comments on the proposed Tamarack Mine. This is your opportunity to tell decision-makers what matters to you before decisions are made.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT

HOW TO SUBMIT A COMMENT

Every comment becomes part of the public record and helps shape what the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must evaluate. Choose the submission method that works best for you. All comments submitted by September 14, 2026 become part of the official public record.

🌐 ONLINE

The fastest and easiest way to submit your comment. Use the Minnesota DNR's online portal to submit your comment.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT

✉️ MAIL

Mail your written comments to the Minnesota DNR. If writing by hand, ensure your handwriting is legible.

Mail comments to:
Tamarack EAW Project Manager, Environmental Review Unit
Ecological and Water Resources Division, DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

📍MEETINGS

Share your comments in person. The DNR will host public meetings where you can learn more about the proposed Tamarack Mine and share comments for the public record.

Wear blue to the meetings to show your support for clean water.

HOW TO WRITE A COMMENT

You don't need to be an expert to write an effective public comment. The most impactful comments are personal and specific.

STEP 1: TELL YOUR STORY

Start by sharing who you are and why this is important to you. You might mention:

  • Your family's drinking water

  • Fishing, hunting, paddling, or spending time outdoors

  • Protecting lakes, rivers, wetlands, or wildlife for future generations

  • Your connection to wild rice (manoomin), cultural resources, or Tribal communities

Example: "I live in Aitkin County and care deeply about protecting Minnesota's lakes and rivers for my family and future generations."

STEP 2: EXPRESS YOUR CONCERN

Describe one or two issues you believe the DNR should evaluate before making a decision. You might write about:

  • Clean water and downstream pollution

  • Manoomin (wild rice) and fish

  • Long-term water quality

  • Treaty and cultural resources

Example: "I'm concerned that pollution could affect connected watersheds and that the impacts to water quality could continue long after mining ends."

STEP 3: MAKE YOUR REQUEST

End your comment with a clear request. Tell the DNR what you would like them to evaluate, study, or protect before making a decision.

Example: "I urge the DNR to fully evaluate the long-term impacts to Minnesota's water resources and ensure clean water is protected for future generations."

NEED IDEAS?

Explore several topics and suggested requests below to help you get started. You don't need to address every issue. Choose what matters most to you and explain why.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT

  • Minnesota's lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater are all connected. Water leaving the proposed mine site flows through the Tamarack River, Prairie River, and Big Sandy Lake before reaching the Mississippi and St. Croix watersheds. Pollution doesn't stay in one place—it will travel downstream, affecting communities, wildlife, and natural resources far from the mine.

    The risks could continue long after mining ends, creating potential long-term water quality concerns. Consider asking the DNR to fully evaluate how mining could affect water quality—not just during mining, but for decades after closure.

  • The proposed mine would require pumping large amounts of groundwater during construction and operation. Lowering the water table could affect nearby wetlands and peatlands, which naturally filter water, store carbon, provide wildlife habitat, and support healthy lakes and streams.

    These changes could also affect private wells and downstream water resources. Ask the DNR to evaluate how groundwater pumping could affect wetlands, peatlands, streams, lakes, and private wells throughout the life of the mine and after closure.

  • Manoomin is both an important ecological resource and a sacred cultural resource for Ojibwe people. Sulfate pollution from mining has been linked to impacts on wild rice waters and may contribute to mercury contamination in fish.

    Ask the DNR to carefully evaluate potential impacts to downstream wild rice waters and ensure they are protected.

  • Mining activities may increase conditions that convert existing mercury into methylmercury—a form that builds up in fish.

    Ask the DNR to fully evaluate potential impacts to wetlands, lakes, fish, wildlife, and people who rely on fishing.

  • The proposed mine is located within the 1855 Treaty Ceded Territory and near culturally significant waters, including areas where Ojibwe people continue to exercise treaty-protected rights to hunt, fish, and gather.

    Ask the DNR to fully evaluate impacts to treaty resources, cultural sites, and traditional practices throughout the connected watershed.

A MESSAGE FROM THE
MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE

Hear from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe on why protecting clean water, treaty resources, and future generations matters.

Learn More