EPA Reaches Tentative Settlement With Mines Over Park Haze

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency has reached a tentative settlement with four iron mines in Minnesota and Michigan that's aimed at reducing haze over pristine areas including Voyageurs and Isle Royale national parks and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

The settlement was first announced by U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan, who represents northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range.

It applies to processing plants at the United Taconite, Hibbing Taconite and Minorca mines in Minnesota, and the Tilden mine on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The proposed settlement lays out a five-year plan for the companies to phase in furnace technologies that reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.

EPA spokeswoman Phillippa Cannon said Wednesday that an official notice would be published in the Federal Register in the next few days, starting a 30-day public comment period.