The Cohasset City Council approved plans of a $440 Million wood mill in a noisy meeting Tuesday night. Council members shouted out their votes over the objections of activists.
The five-member council was charged with determining if the environmental review Huber Engineered Woods submitted was sufficient.
The state Legislature exempted Huber, who was not required to complete the longer environmental impact statements that are typically required for large projects. This exemption was preserved by the Cohasset City Council.
Many project supporters applauded the unanimous vote.
Environmental and Indigenous activists are likely to appeal the decision and challenge any remaining aspects of the permitting process. The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe claims that the mill, which is located a mile from its reservation boundary, would have an adverse impact on treaty rights in nearby public forest.
The 750,000-square-foot oriented Strand Board Mill would consume approximately 400,000 cords mostly aspen wood annually. This is 14% more than the current state harvest levels.
Huber’s review concluded that the state’s forests could sustainably withstand the increased logging. However, opponents claim that the review didn’t focus on local timber resources.
Huber stated that the plant would also emit a lot of greenhouse gases. Huber said that this could be offset by Huber’s suggestion to trap carbon in its wood products, and use wood-burning furnaces.
Huber hopes to have the plant up and running by 2025. He also expects to hire 150 people. The mill has received millions in public grants, loans, and incentives. However, construction cannot begin until a number of permits are obtained by the states and federal governments.