The Hawthorne Neighborhood Council strongly opposes the application by Northern Metal Recycling to increase their permitted levels of pollution. We are asking everyone to attend their precinct caucuses on Tuesday, February 7th. Click here for the Secretary of State link to your area's and your party's precinct caucus.
One of the ways you can help the Hawthorne neighborhood and all who value the Mississippi River is to bring a resolution to your precinct caucus. If enough resolutions make it through this process, then the issue becomes a part of the party's platform as a whole. And if that happens, we can use that platform as a way to lobby our elected officials both here and statewide to support protecting our residents and our river.
Please bring the following resolution with you to your precinct caucus and submit it as part of your party's platform.
WHEREAS the Minneapolis lakes, rivers, waterways, and riverfronts are world class and are vitally important to Minneapolis’ economy, and;
WHEREAS the City’s lakes, rivers, waterways, and waterfront provide recreational pleasure and enjoyment to residents and visitors, and;
WHEREAS Northern Metals Recycling, Inc. is a business located at 2800 Pacific Street, near the Mississippi River, near Ole Olson Park, and adjacent to a proposed land bridge connecting north Minneapolis residents to the Mississippi, and;
WHEREAS Northern Metals Recycling is applying for a permit to increase particulate matter emissions by 1,000% and hazardous air pollutants by 300%, and;
WHEREAS Northern Metals has not complied with its existing permits; in December 2009 performance tests showed particulate matter emissions exceeded the permitted levels by 204% and mercury emissions exceeded permitted levels by 32%, and;
WHEREAS the proposed increased emission levels could double the risk of cancer in the immediate area, could increase the risk of cancer among urban gardeners by 50%, and increase acute inhalation of particulate matter by a factor of 5.5, and;
WHEREAS residents of Minneapolis believe that it is important to protect natural resources, built resources, and community amenities for all people along the Mississippi River corridor against pollutants and other environmental hazards,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ___________________ Party support the full enforcement of all particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants at or below the currently permitted levels along the Mississippi River, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the ___________________ Party support a full Environmental Impact Study and a full Environmental Assessment Worksheet for any entity applying to increase said emission levels along the Mississippi River.
