On the recordNovember 28, 2017
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3115 authorizes a land exchange between the Forest Service and PolyMet Mining. PolyMet will acquire land within Minnesota's Superior National Forest to pursue the development of an open pit mine. While the Forest Service already approved the exchange, I understand several groups of concerned Minnesotans have expressed concerns about the proposed development, including the Fon du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, a federally recognized Tribe whose reservation is downstream from the proposed mine. The area to be exchanged is part of the Tribe's ancestral homeland, and they have concerns that the conveyance could impact rights to hunt, fish, and gather. Federal ownership protects these rights. As ranking member of the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native Affairs, I think it is important that we listen to the concerns of tribal communities. That said, I understand this bill is a priority for Representative Nolan, and I look forward to hearing his perspectives. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
