ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD

An Inventory of Its Regional Copper Nickel Study Files at the Minnesota Historical Society

Government Records

Part or all of this collection is restricted.
For details, please see restrictions.


Expand/CollapseOVERVIEW

Creator:Minnesota Environmental Quality Board.
Title:Regional copper nickel study files.
Dates:1969-1981.
Language:Materials in English.
Abstract:Reports, studies, correspondence, work plans, subject and background files, project files, and audio-visual materials relating to this major research and environmental assessment project administered by the board.
Quantity:10.5 cubic feet (10 boxes), 36 master audio files: WAV (13.2 GB), and 36 user audio files: MP3 (2.4 GB).
Location: See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

Expand/CollapseSCOPE AND CONTENTS

This study thoroughly examined the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the development of copper and nickel mining in northern Minnesota. It came about after several previous examinations of copper-nickel development in the area, including one by the Governor's Interagency Task Force (1972-1973) and environmental assessments by the International Nickel Company (INCO) and AMAX Exploration, Inc. The study received assistance from the State Planning Agency, the Natural Resources Department, and the University of Minnesota.

The study files include the executive summary (Volume 1) of the final report; staff correspondence files; work plans and operations manuals; several subsidiary study reports, two supplemented by site photographs or slides; files on conferences, meetings, and workshops; transcripts of public hearings remarks by various organizational representatives (1973); five separate sets of subject and background files, including those of physical sciences team leader Daryle Thingvold and technical assessment team leader David L. Veith; project files and monthly reports of AMAX Exploration's MINNAMAX Exploration Project to study the feasibility of a commercial copper-nickel mining operation and to collect baseline environmental data (1974-1979); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lake eutrophication reports (1974); and tape recordings of meetings and of the Minnesota Horizons public environmental education series. Information on the earlier studies is found in various places among the files.


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Expand/CollapseADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

The audio recording in copyright in this collection is not available online, but can be accessed upon request for use in the Gale Family Library reading room. Please consult reference staff for more information.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Environmental Quality Board. Regional Copper Nickel Study Files. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number(s): 986-28; 986-7

Location of Master Files:

Digital masters of the audiocassettes material are maintained on the Society's secure digital collections storage servers and are managed and preserved in accordance with archival best practices.

The original audiocassettes were disposed after the material was digitally reformatted into wav files.

Processing Information:

Legacy Amendment logo

Digitization and encoding by April Rodriguez, May 9, 2023.

Digital audio transferred from the master audiocassettes by the Minnesota Historical Society for preservation purposes (May 2023).

Digitization was made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

Catalog ID number: 990017100580104294


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DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Location
127.B.12.11BStaff correspondence files, 1976-1979.
Includes letters received and sent.
General correspondence, 1975-1977.
Mainly of Sharon Todoroff, Administrative Assistant.
Robert H. Poppe, Executive Director for the Environmental Quality Council. 4 folders.
Eric Bauman, Socio-Cultural Planner.
Judy Baxter, Aquatic Biology Specialist.
Paul Eger, Water Resources Staff. 2 folders.
Mark Johnson, Aquatic Biology Project Head.
Peter Kreisman, Research Director. 3 folders.
Gerald A. Lieberman, Biological Sciences Team Leader.
Laura King, Operations and Data Coordinator. 3 folders.
David E. Maschwitz, Water Quality Project Head. 3 folders.
Roger W. Mustalich, Water Analysis Staff.
Gary D. Siesenopp, Fish Survey Project Head.
Location
127.B.12.12FDaryle Thingvold, Physical Sciences Team Leader. 26 folders.
Includes 18 folders containing letters received from various staff members.
Roy Tull, Planning Manager.
David L. Veith, Technical Assessment Team Leader. 2 folders.
Sarah Webb, Research Analyst.
Meetings, 1976-1977.
Notes, agendas, minutes, and reports of various staff committees involved in the Copper-Nickel Study.
Copper-nickel public hearings remarks, 1973.
Regional Copper-Nickel Study Workshop, January 1977. 2 folders.
Work plans and operations manuals. 11 folders.
Many are drafts.
Biology Work Plan, 1977
Copper Nickel Task Force: Work Plan for Regional Environmental Impact Statement, 1975. 3 folders.
Energy Work Plan, 1977.
Land Use Work Plan, 1977.
Miscellaneous work plans and work plan proposals, 1976-1977. 2 folders.
Location
127.B.12.13BAir Quality Program Operations Manual, 1976. 2 folders.
Aquatic Biology Operations Manual, 1977.
Terrestrial Studies Operations Manual, 1977.
Water Quality Monitoring-Lakes Operations Manual, 1977.
Copper-Nickel Study Report No. 1, 1977. 2 folders.
procedures for Compiling Data.
Fish Study, 1976-1977. 1 folder, 1 volume.
Progress reports, operations manual, and fish tissue collection data/survey material, 1977.
Location
127.B.13.3BSlides, 1976-1977. 1 volume.
Location
127.B.12.13BPhysical Sciences Study, 1977.
Energy Agency Report, 1978.
Tax Model, 1978.
Conference and meeting files, 1972-1973. 8 folders.
Conference on the Year 2000, 1972.
Seminar on Minnesota's Future, 1972-1973. 6 folders.
Upper Midwest Council: Future Choices, 1973.
Daryle Thingvold subject files, 1976-1978. 16 folders.
Physical Sciences Team Leader.
Air modeling.
AMAX reclamation.
Cascade impactor.
Environmental Liaison Group.
Industrial liaison.
Influence of terrestrial characteristics on surface water quality.
MINNAMAX.
Newsletter.
Objectives.
Location
127.B.12.14FOverall goals.
Precipitation chemistry.
Requests for proposals.
Round-Robin.
Statistical consulting.
U.S. Geological Survey.
Watersheds.
David L. Veith background files, 1976-1978. 21 folders.
Technical Assessment Team Leader.
AMAX general.
AMAX metallurgy.
AMAX mining, geology, tailings, water.
AMAX processing.
Biology.
Budget.
Energy.
Energy Agency.
General.
Geology.
Industrial Liaison Group.
Includes summaries of the ILG's meetings.
Matthews Engineering.
Mineral Research Resources Center, University of Minnesota.
Mining model.
Minnesota iron ore.
Natural Resources Department.
Physical sciences.
Location
127.B.12.15BRadian Corporation contract.
Smelter reports and model.
Socio-economic community profile.
Socio-economic general.
Subject and background files, 1972-1976. 20 folders.
AMAX correspondence, 1974.
Citizen's Advisory Council Newsletter, 1974.
Copper-Nickel background general, 1972-1974.
Environmental planning program language, 1973.
Environmental Quality Council, 1973-1974.
INCO [International Nickel Company], 1974-1976. 3 folders.
Minesite Pilot Project, 1973.
MLMIS [Minnesota Land Management Information System], 1974-1976. 3 folders.
Monitoring Program general information, 1974.
News articles, 1973-1974. 2 folders.
Service Inventory Arrowhead, 1973-1975. 2 folders.
Socio-economic population, 1974.
Charts and maps.
Socio-Economic preliminary observation, Arrowhead Region, 1974.
Technology assessment, 1973-1974.
Location
127.B.12.16FSubject and background files, 1969-1977. 10 folders.
AMAX exploration site, 1976.
American Shield, 1975.
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, undated.
BWCA, 1969.
Environmental Quality Council, 1975-1976. 2 folders.
Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, 1975-1976.
Mineral leasing laws and regulations, circa 1974.
Minesite Study, DNR [Department of Natural Resources], 1974.
News clippings, 1976-1977.
Miscellaneous subject and background files, 1968-1979. 24 folders, 1 volume.
Arrowhead Region, 1976.
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, 1977. 2 folders.
BWCA Testimony on Bills, 1977.
Carlos Avery Game Farm, 1977.
Cedar Creek Natural History Area Vegetation Report, undated.
Consulting firms, 1977
Copper-Nickel Mining, Smelting, and Refining; Environmental Hazard to Human Health, 1976.
Erie Mining Study, 1976.
Iron Range trip, 1976.
Laboratory Analysis Reports, Ecology Consultants Inc., 1976. 2 folders, 1 volume.
Lake information, 1976.
Lake zooplankton, 1977-1978.
Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, 1976.
Miscellaneous proposals, 1976-1977.
Miscellaneous reports and studies, 1977-1979.
Miscellaneous technical studies, 1968-1978.
Prepared by various state agencies and the University of Minnesota.
Location
127.B.13.1BProgress Report to Copper-Nickel Regional Task Force, 1977.
About metal sulfide leaching.
Proposed Regional Environmental Monitoring System for Copper-Nickel Mining, Volume II, 1974.
Regional Economic Impact Forecasts of Copper-Nickel Development, 1976-1977.
SPA Environmental Planning Division, Land Use Planning Notebook, 1978.
Statistical consulting meeting, October 1977.
Water monitoring meeting, December 1976.
Toxicity Study, circa 1977.
AMAX Exploration, Inc./MINNAMAX Project:
An exploration program, under the oversight of the EQP and the Pollution Control Agency, to obtain additional information on the extent and nature of copper-nickel resources on state-owned land leased by AMAX near Babbitt. Done to evaluate the feasibility of a commercial mining operation and accompanied by the collection of baseline environmental data and studies of the environmental effects of the exploration activities.
Monthly reports to the Pollution Control Agency, 1976-1979. 36 volumes.
Missing January-March 1976; November 1978; and January, June-December 1979.
April 1976-July 1978. 28 volumes.
Location
127.B.13.2F August 1978-May 1979. 8 volumes.
MINNAMAX project files, 1974-1978. 14 folders.
Correspondence and general information, 1977-1978.
Data Report, semi-annual, January-June 1975.
Data Summaries, 1975-1977, 1979-1981. 7 folders.
Miscellaneous reports, 1977.
On leaching of metals and wildlife summary.
Plant ecology reports, 1974-1977.
Report on Elevated Bog Water Conductivity, 1978.
Request for Approval of Exploration Plan, 1974.
Water Resources Monitoring Data Summaries, 1976.
Location
127.B.13.14FAMAX Exploration, Inc./MINNAMAX project files, 1974-1977. 8 folders.
Data submitted pursuant to disposal system permit, 1974.
Environmental assessment, 1974.
Environmental information, 1974. 2 folders.
First Progress Report of Water Resources in Minnamax Exploration Project Area, 1974.
Plans Submitted to PCA, 1975. 2 folders.
Reports, 1977.
Location
127.B.13.2FU.S. Environmental Protection Agency Reports on Minnesota Lakes, 1974.
A set of reports covering individual Minnesota lakes, done as part of the EPA's National Eutrophication Survey.
Nos. 80-119.
Missing Nos. 95, 104, 113.
Location
127.B.13.13BNos. 120-146.
Missing Nos. 121, 123, 128, 132, 134, 139-140.
Pollution Control Agency files:
Environmental Report for Sartell Mill Expansion, 1979. 4 folders.
Work Plan for Preparation of Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Pulping Facility at Sartell, Minnesota, 1980.
Copper nickel background files, 1967-1980. 15 folders, 2 volumes.
Community profiles, circa 1976.
Copper nickel coalition, 1971-1980.
Copper Nickel Task Force, 1973-1975.
Includes scattered meeting minutes.
DNR [Department of Natural Resources] Study of Base Metal Mining and Processing in Minnesota: Draft, 1972. 1 volume.
History of Minnesota Resources Commission Copper Nickel Study, 1975.
Location
127.B.13.14FMinnesota Copper Nickel: A Public Symposium: Scientific and Human Perspectives, 1975.
Photos from BWCA and mine site near Biwabik, undated.
PCA Noise Monitoring Study, 1975. 1 volume.
Regional Characterization of the Copper Nickel Water Quality Research Area, 1978.
Reports on Copper Nickel Mining, Minnesota Public Interest Research Group, 1976-1979.
Reports and studies on copper nickel mining, 1967-1980. 4 folders.
Includes various technical and environmental reports and studies on copper nickel mining, done by the Health Department, State Planning Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, University of Minnesota, and private companies.
State Planning Agency Draft Report on Copper Nickel, 1975. 3 folders.
Location
127.B.13.3BAppendix V to Cu-Ni Noise Monitoring Report, circa 1977. 1 volume.
Site photographs from 3 work plans.
Location
InternetAudio recordings:
Note: sound quality can be poor due to lack of microphone use by speakers and meeting participants.
EQC-CuNi meeting, Duluth, May 31, 1973. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 45 minutes): WAV (835 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (150 MB).
EQC-CuNi meeting, Duluth, May 31, 1973Digital audio
EQC-CuNi meeting, St. Paul, June 5, 1973. 1 master audio file (3 hours, 5 minutes): WAV (934 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (169 MB).
EQC-CuNi meeting, St. Paul, June 5, 1973Digital audio
Gustavus Adolphus meeting, April 23, 1974. 1 master audio file (55 minutes, 54 seconds): WAV (282 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (49.9 MB).
Note: Issues with tape at 29:01, audio is distorted. Recording ends abruptly.
Gustavus Adolphus meeting, April 23, 1974Digital audio
CuNi Testimony: House Appropriations Committee on State Departments, April 25, 1975. 1 master audio file (9 minutes, 25 seconds): WAV (47.5 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (8.5 MB).
Container note: Testimony by Herbst.
Note: Recording ends abruptly.
CuNi Testimony, April 25, 1975Digital audio
January workshops.
Note: Recordings start and end abruptly.
January workshop, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 15 minutes): WAV (381 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (66.7 MB).
Container note: Tech. assess no. 2.
January workshop, undatedDigital audio
January workshop, January 18, [1976]. 1 master audio file (55 minutes, 10 seconds): WAV (278 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (48.4 MB).
Container note: 1/18 physical sci. water 3.
January workshop, January 18 [1976]Digital audio
January workshop, January 19, [1976]. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 5 minutes): WAV (635 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (111 MB).
Container note: Terrestrial bio side and aquatic bio 1.
January workshop, January 19 [1976]Digital audio
January workshop, January 19 and 21, 1976. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 3 minutes): WAV (622 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (108 MB).
Container note: Aquatic bio 2, socio economic.
January workshop, January 19 and 21 1976Digital audio
January workshop, January 17, 1977. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 53 minutes): WAV (570 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (99.4 MB).
Container note: Tech. assess no. 1.
January workshop, January 17, 1977Digital audio
Economy workshop, December 3, 1976. 1 master audio file (6 hours, 37 minutes): WAV (1.9 GB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (350 MB).
0:00:00-01:02:00 (Tape 1)
01:02:00-02:03:00 (Tape 2)
02:03:00-03:05:00 (Tape 3)
03:05:00-04:06:00 (Tape 4)
04:06:00-05:08:00 (Tape 5)
05:08:00-06:37:00 (Tape 6)
Economy workshop, December 3, 1976Digital audio
CuNi meeting with Energy Agency and PCA [Pollution Control Agency], April 4, 1977. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 22 minutes): WAV (416 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (74.9 MB).
CuNi meeting, April 4, 1977Digital audio
Land use work shop, August 17, 1977. 1 master audio file (3 hours, 42 minutes): WAV (1 GB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (194 MB).
Land use work shop, August 17, 1977Digital audio
Final Cu-Ni work plan, circa 1977.
Note: 3 blank audiocassettes.
CuNi meeting with Minnesota DOT [Department of Transportation], May 31, 1978. 1 master audio file (2 hours, 45 minutes): WAV (835 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (144 MB).
CuNi meeting, May 31, 1978Digital audio
Environmental education proposal, November 1, 1969. 1 master audio file (37 minutes, 54 seconds): WAV (191 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (42.2 MB).
Container note: A two-part plan for the involvement in environmental education of the Northern States Power Company Minneapolis. Meeting with EV teachers.
Environmental education proposal, November 1, 1969Digital audio
Minnesota Horizons series, undated.
Population and settlement patterns by Hazel Reinhardt, undated. 1 master audio file (36 minutes, 42 seconds): WAV (185 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (36.9 MB).
Population and settlement patterns, undatedDigital audio
What do population changes mean by Gerald R. Christenson, undated. 1 master audio file (32 minutes, 17 seconds): WAV (162 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (30.9 MB).
What Do Population Changes Mean, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's economy-The past by Russell W. Fridley, undated. 1 master audio file (31 minutes, 11 seconds): WAV (157 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (32.8 MB).
Minnesota's Economy-The Past by Russell W. Fridley, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's economy-The present by Bruce MacLaury, undated. 1 master audio file (23 minutes, 15 seconds): WAV (117 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (27.6 MB).
Minnesota's Economy-The Present by Bruce MacLaury, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's economy-The future, by John E. Brandl, undated. 1 master audio file (32 minutes, 8 seconds): WAV (162 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (32.6 MB).
Minnesota's Economy-The Future, by John E. Brandl, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's physical environment: Mining, forestry and recreation by Victor Arnold, undated. 1 master audio file (26 minutes, 47 seconds): WAV (135 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (25.4 MB).
Minnesota's EPhysical Environment: Mining, Forestry and Recreation, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's physical environment: Agriculture by Phillip Raup, undated. 1 master audio file (32 minutes, 21 seconds): WAV (163 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (33 MB).
Minnesota's Physical Environment: Agriculture, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's man-made environment: Land use planning by Joseph Sizer, undated. 1 master audio file (20 minutes, 58 seconds): WAV (105 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (19.1 MB).
Minnesota's Man-Made Environment: Land Use Planning by Joseph Sizer, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's man-made environment: Housing by James Solem, undated. 1 master audio file (28 minutes, 33 seconds): WAV (144 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (30.1 MB).
Minnesota's Man-Made Environment: Housing by James Solem, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's man-made environment: Transportation by Harry Reed, undated. 1 master audio file (23 minutes, 16 seconds): WAV (117 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (26.4 MB).
Minnesota's Man-Made Environment: Transportation by Harry Reed, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's man-made environment: Energy by Ed Hunter, undated. 1 master audio file (30 minutes, 3 seconds): WAV (151 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (32 MB).
Minnesota's Man-Made Environment: Energy by Ed Hunter, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's human environment: Health by Vernon Sommerdorf, undated. 1 master audio file (15 minutes, 3 seconds): WAV (76 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (15.9 MB).
Minnesota's Human Environment: Health, by Vernon Sommerdorf, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's human environment: Human services by R. Broeker and J. Belau, undated. 1 master audio file (30 minutes, 43 seconds): WAV (155 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (32 MB).
Minnesota's Human Environment: Human Services by R. Broeker and J. Belau, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota human environment: Education by Dean Honetschlager, undated. 1 master audio file (38 minutes, 7 seconds): WAV (192 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (39.5 MB).
Minnesota Human Environment: Education by Dean Honetschlager, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's government environment: Financing government by James Solem, undated. 1 master audio file (19 minutes, 23 seconds): WAV (97.8 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (20 MB).
Minnesota's Government Environment: Financing Government by James Solem, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's government environment: Decision making in government by Gerald Christenson, undated. 1 master audio file (24 minutes, 57 seconds): WAV (125 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (23.1 MB).
Minnesota's Government Environment: Decision Making in Government by Gerald Christenson, undatedDigital audio
Minnesota's government environment: Legislative executive relations by Ray Lappegaard, undated. 1 master audio file (25 minutes, 45 seconds): WAV (129 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (27.3 MB).
Minnesota's Government Environment: Legislative Executive Relations by Ray Lappegaard, undatedDigital audio
Copper nickel public information meeting, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 20 minutes): WAV (405 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (73.1 MB).
Copper nickel public information meeting, undatedDigital audio
Coupling the product with the market, 1971. 1 master audio file (49 minutes, 52 seconds): WAV (251 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (54.6 MB).
In copyright.
Container note: The Innovation Group. Members: Robert Adams of 3M, Manuel Nodar of The Black and Decker Manufacturing Co., Isaac Auerbach of Auerbach Corp. and Tom Widmer of Thermo Electron Corp. Additional guest include G.L. Hollingsworth, Robert L. Rynearson, W.H.C. Simmonds, and T.H. Spencer.
Metals and water sources discussion, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 33 minutes): WAV (470 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (82.1 MB).
Metals and water sources discussion, undatedDigital audio
Inner agency task force report discussion, approximately 1972. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 34 minutes): WAV (475 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (84.2 MB).
Inner agency task force report discussion, approximately 1972Digital audio
Boundary Waters interview, undated. 1 master audio file (1 hour, 24 minutes): WAV (427 MB) and 1 user audio file: MP3 (56.8 MB).
Note: Incomplete interview, starts and ends abruptly. Poor sound quality.
Boundary waters interview, undatedDigital audio

Expand/CollapseCATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:
Copper mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Minnesota.
Environmental impact analysis -- Minnesota.
Eutrophication.
Lakes -- Minnesota.
Nickel mines and mining -- Environmental aspects -- Minnesota.
Persons:
Thingvold, Daryle.
Veith, David L.
Organizations:
AMAX, Inc.
International Nickel Company.
MINNAMAX Exploration Project.
Minnesota. Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota. Governor's Interagency Task Force.
Minnesota State Planning Agency.
United States. Environmental Protection Agency.
University of Minnesota.
Meetings:
Minnesota Horizons : A Legislative Symposium, January 14-16, 1975.
Document Types:
Photoprints -- Minnesota.
Photographs.
Slides.
Sound recordings.

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