United States, et al v. Reserve Mining Co., et al, Civ. 5-72-19. A suit filed in 1972 led to Judge Devitt's 1976 decision to order Reserve Mining Co. to cease discharge of taconite tailings into Lake Superior. At issue were both public health concerns related to asbestos exposure in drinking water, and general environmental concerns. Judge Devitt entered into the case in January 1976 after Judge Miles Lord was ordered dismissed by a panel of Appeals Court judges who decided that he was not impartial but had been acting as an advocate for the prosecution. The case drew extensive public commentary, including numerous letters to Judges Lord and Devitt applauding their decisions to curtail a "notorious polluter." This file contains Judge's orders. I

United States, et al v. Reserve Mining Co., et al, Civ. 5-72-19. A suit filed in 1972 led to Judge Devitt's 1976 decision to order Reserve Mining Co. to cease discharge of taconite tailings into Lake Superior. At issue were both public health concerns related to asbestos exposure in drinking water, and general environmental concerns. Judge Devitt entered into the case in January 1976 after Judge Miles Lord was ordered dismissed by a panel of Appeals Court judges who decided that he was not impartial but had been acting as an advocate for the prosecution. The case drew extensive public commentary, including numerous letters to Judges Lord and Devitt applauding their decisions to curtail a "notorious polluter." This file contains Judge's orders. I, Folder 1, Box: 44, Folder: 1. Judge Edward J. Devitt Papers, OGLMC-1253. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. https://archives.und.edu//repositories/2/archival_objects/13587 Accessed November 22, 2025.