PolyMet Mining Inc./NorthMet Project

Overview

The DNR, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the US Forest Service (USFS) are working as co-lead agencies in the preparation of a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The DNR and the USACE announced their intent to prepare a Supplemental Draft EIS in a June 24, 2010 news release.

The USFS has now joined as a co-lead agency and as the decision maker on a proposed USFS-PolyMet land exchange. The USFS and USACE published a Notice of Intent to prepare an SDEIS including the land exchange in the Federal Register on October 13, 2010. The USFS and USACE will take public comment on the SDEIS scope through November 29, 2010. Details of the scoping process and how to comment can be found at the USFS Web site.

Background

PolyMet Mining, Inc. (PolyMet) proposes to develop an open pit mine and to refurbish and modify the former LTV Steel Mining taconite ore processing facility to extract copper metal and precipitates of nickel, cobalt and precious metals near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes in northeastern Minnesota. The DNR, the USACE, and the USFS are preparing a joint Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will satisfy both state and federal environmental review requirements.

The DNR released a Draft EIS for public comment period on November 2, 2009 with a notice of availability published in the November 2, 2009 issue of the EQB Monitor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' notice appeared in the November 6, 2009 Federal Register. Public information meetings were held on December 9, 2009 in Aurora, Minnesota, and on December 10, 2009 in Blaine, Minnesota. Both agencies' comment periods ended at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.

Questions regarding the EIS can be sent to:

Lisa Fay, EIS Project Manager
Environmental Review Unit
Division of Ecological and Water Resources
Minnesota DNR
500 Lafayette Road
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155-4025
Fax: 651-297-1500

Or by email to: EnvironmentalRev.Dnr@state.mn.us (include NorthMet in the subject line)

Earlier Stages in the Development of the EIS

The DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took comments on the proposed EIS scope during a 30-day scoping period that concluded on July 6, 2005. A public scoping meeting was held on June 29, 2005, in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota. The Final Scoping Decision operates as a blueprint for EIS preparation.