Minnesota Public Interest Research Group v. Minnesota Environmental Quality Council

Scott, Justice.

This action involves the decision of Minnesota’s Environmental Quality Council (hereinafter EQC) that an “environmental impact statement” 1 (hereinafter EIS) need not be prepared prior to the construction of an exploratory copper-nickel mine by AM AX Exploration, Inc., near Babbitt, Minnesota. On July 30, 1974, plaintiff Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (hereinafter MPIRG) filed with defendant EQC a petition seeking an EIS. On November 12, 1974, EQC decided that an EIS was not required. MPIRG and three other organizations concerned with protecting the environment filed…