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Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy

SIXTH MEETING

2015-2016 Regular Session - Wednesday, February 4, 2015

STATE OF MINNESOTA SIXTH MEETING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES EIGHTY-NINTH SESSION

MINING & OUTDOOR RECREATION POLICY COMMITTEE
MINUTES

Representative Anzelc, Member of the Mining and Outdoor Recreation Policy Committee, called the sixth meeting to order at 2:46 P.M. on Wednesday, February 4 2015, in Room 10 of the State Office Building.

The Committee Legislative Assistant noted the roll.

Members present:


HACKBARTH, Tom, Chair LUECK, Dale, VC
ANDERSON, Mark
ANZELC, Tom
CONSIDINE, John
CORNISH, Tony
DILL, David
HERTAUS, Jerry
JOHNSON, Brian
KIEL, Debra
LUCERO, Eric
MCNAMARA, Denny
MELIN, Carly
METSA, Jason
YARUSSO, Barb


Representative Anzelc began the meeting at 2:46 P.M. A quorum was NOT present.

Craig Pagel, President of the Iron Mining Association, gave an overview of the ferrous mining industry and took questions from committee members.

A quorum was present at 2:48 P.M. The meeting was called to order at 3:00 P.M.

Representative Hertaus moved to approve the minutes of February 3, 2015. THE MOTION PREVAILED.

The following people testified for the ferrous mining informational hearing and took questions from committee members:

Terry Fedor, Executive Vice President of United States Iron Ore, and Ania Ediger, Manager of Government Relations and Environmental Legislative Affairs Specialist for Cliffs Natural Resources, presented Cliffs Natural Resources history, operations, and legislative concerns.

Michael Twite, Manager of Environmental, Land and Governmental Affairs for Magnetation Mining, and former State Representative Loren Solberg of Loren A. Solberg Consulting, gave an overview of Magnetation’s history and current operations.

David Bednarz, Vice President of Iron Resources for Steel Dynamics, Inc., spoke to Steel Dynamics’ history and operations on the Mesabi Range.

Chris Masciantonio, General Manager of Public Policy and Governmental Affairs for United States Steel (U.S. Steel), and Peder Larson of Larkin Hoffman Attorneys, presented an overview of U.S. Steel’s economic impact, production process, and challenges associated with the industry.

Mitchell Brunfelt, Director of Government and Public Relations for Essar Steel, summarized its current project status and expectations for the operation.

Discussion of the lack of and potential creation of a designated wild rice waters list ensued.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 P.M.



Representative Tom Hackbarth, Chair




Claire Leiter, Committee Legislative Assistant
More Info On This Meeting..

Ferrous Mining Informational Hearing.