I want to thank Mr. Helmberger for his insightful and well written article on taconnite mining. It was well-balanced, uncomplicated and refreshing.

I have been a property owner in northern Minnesota for 40 years (Winchester Lake, near Lake Vermilion), and therefore have a vested interest in water quality and land use/environmental issues in St. Louis County. It is rare to read an article that relies on clear logic,without the usual reliance on limited, unbalanced information or name calling, etc.

Simply put, thank you.

Keith A. Poets

Burnsville, Minn.