02/24/2026
Good morning everyone from The Cottage In Hinckley. Normally I believe business and politics don’t mix, unless they impact business or I think an injustice has been done. Today the United States Senate is scheduled to vote on HF 140. HF 140 is the resolution to lift protections for mining the BWCA. This mining is of concern to my business because my company sells bear fat soap in little tourist shops in northern Minnesota, online, starting to ship overseas. My little bear fat soap business started out as a hobby when my Minnesota Representative Nathan Nelson drafted the legislation and was very helpful in getting bear fat sales passed.
Copper Sulfate mining has been touted as safe, by my Congressman Pete Stauber, but I would beg to differ. If Mr Stauber held a town hall I and others could debate the safety of copper sulfide mining. Iron Mountain in Redding California is still flowing toxic waste (starting in the 80’s) as a report this past January 23rd , during an Action News Now report.
During the January 20th, 2026 hearing Mr Stauber testified that 2200 direct and indirect jobs would be created with the first mine at a salary average of $90K a year. The Mine would generate a projected $2.2 billion annual revenue , while Minnesota tourism generates a $13.5 seasonal revenue per year. As a business owner I would argue that the $13.5 billion starts long before the Northshore. Starting in the spring the television is flooded with Minnesota tourism commercials showcasing fishing, hiking the Northshore, Grand Marais shopping, Gooseberry Falls, fishing lakes in northern Minnesota, shopping in small town boutiques, eating at a tiny diner from a Norman Rockwell picture. I argue the $13.5 billion starts long before Grand Marais. The trip to the Northshore starts with filling the gas tank at home, snacks at small town gas stations along 35, 94 heading to Detroit Lakes, 169 going toward Red Lake for Walley. While seasonal, the money starts flowing for lodging, boutiques, bakeries for treats, bait for fishing, camping spots in one of the many Minnesota State Parks.
From an economics view, I fail to understand how a Copper Sulfide mine generating $2.2 billion direct and indirect revenue is better for Minnesota economy than $13.5 billion seasonal. Minnesota money that is made here stays here, pays taxes here, buys groceries here. According to Mr Stauber, the Copper is mined here, placed on a boat and sent to China where it is smelted. What part of the 2200 jobs are actually in Minnesota and worked by Minnesotans?
How is any of this good for the economy of Minnesota? My little bear fat soap business argues that when the water is toxic, tourists don’t visit. Resorts, small town shops and tourist attracts don’t thrive and tax revenue is not generated.
My final question is: who is going to clean up the toxic waste? Forty years after Iron Mountain and California is still cleaning the 10 gallons a minute of toxin spill that washes out of the mine. This is a conservative number as the spring rains can dump as much as 100 gallons a minute.
I want to thank you for your time and reading my concerns. Bear Fat Soap making started as a hobby and has grown to a business. Small tourist communities have begged for travelers, vendors and scenic views of Minnesota; they never created a commercial asking travelers to come visit a copper Sulfide mine and smell the sulfide waste aroma.
