MCEA strongly objects to DNR's recent water withdrawal permit allowing the Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort to draw the Poplar River down to a level at which it could completely freeze and decimate the trout in the River's lower reaches. During the 2011 legislative session the company got a special statute passed allowing it to take up to 150 million gallons per year (more than 10 times its earlier permit) for snowmaking from the Poplar River, a designated trout stream, even though state law prohibits such withdrawals because of the damaging effect on trout, especially in winter. Later, DNR granted another special exemption, allowing the company to withdraw water even when the River's flow is below minimum protection levels. 

The company's snowmaking has expanded 10-fold over the last decade, but it hasn't take steps to find a legal source for water withdrawal - even though the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior, is right down the road. Granting special exemptions to private companies at the expense of shared public resources sets very bad precedent. MCEA's comments on the draft explained that the permit is illegal. MCEA is now weighing options for next steps.

MCEA Documents

Comments and exhibits

Press Release

Outside Documents

Selected Public Comments Opposing the Special Exemption Permit

"Nature not Lutsen, is the ultimate boss," Star Tribune, Nov. 8, 2011