HomeMy WebLinkAboutTuthill, Tim (Letter entered into Public Record)Date: 01-16-25
Re: Mississippi River Basin Mining — Holcim
From: Tim Tuthill — Grey Cloud Resident & 58 Year Local Resident
Dear Cottage Grove Councilperson Monique Garza:
I am writing to each of you with grave concern over this particular river basin project. I am traditionally a
very pro -business supporter but in this case Risk vs Reward for the City and its residents is very clear.
Reward:
1) The City collects tax dollars to help contribute to costs of city functions
2) The City continues to supply needed construction material for surrounding metro area
3) Retain 40 local jobs
4)Allow a Cottage Grove Private Business to operate freely while making a profit
Environmental and Human Impact Cons:
* We already have a SEVERE water contamination problem due to 3M of which this
project is scheduled to dig 200 ft. deep. My personal well in Grey Cloud is in the Jorden Aquifer at 180 ft.
which transfers to punching a hole into the drinking water aquifer within a mile of the industrial source
of this water pollution and can only imagine how contaminated the water is at the basin location of
this project ? At some point in this project's trajectory they will strike water. Look at all their existing old
mining pools and test the water for contaminants and you will see. We cannot allow to voluntarily put
ourselves at further risks of water contamination into our river system and water supply in the local
aquifer. No matter what berm you arrange there is permeation as we've seen in the 3M disaster
throughout the East metro. We have annual uncertain floods in our future which will likely cause further
contamination potential into any remaining mining pools. Holcim will be long gone by the time our City
residents are left to pick up these pieces because it will be at the end of this project and they are a
foreign company.... adios amigos. We can't afford one more water disaster in this area of Cottage Grove.
*** PLEASE do not set up Cottage Grove Residents for a future PREVENTABLE Catastrophy. The tax
money we will receive as residents will never make up for the eventual fall out and devastation to the
environmental damage and human use of the river, fisheries, wildlife etc... ( ie: 3M)
Final Note: Thanks for taking the time to read my concerns and know that we are now the largest
Industrial Park in the State of Minnesota and have plenty of openings for the 40 employees and that
there are other mining options available, of which we are not solely responsible for providing as a City to
the metro area. We have done our part for mining in this area. The River is managed by the Minnesota
DNR as a UNIQUE fishery and wildlife natural scenic waterway for legitimate reasons. We are at the top
of the water supply for the Mississippi River through the length of this entire country and it's our
obligation to fellow citizens of this nation not to voluntarily threaten their life's water supply of which
we already screwed up with 3M. Holcim can purchase new mining properties INLAND and not on TOP of
the river. Thanks again for hearing my concerns and voting down this particular project. The potential
cost is definitely not worth the benefit for the residents of Cottage Grove and environmental elements
collectively. I'm hopeful you will not allow this project to move forward. Thank You
Sincerely: Tim Tuthill