Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad Relocation, Dam Progressions, and Stream Mitigation Project

2026 project summary

Northshore Mining Company proposes to relocate the West Ridge Railroad, progress Dams 1 and 2, construct a Dam 1 rail switchback, and develop a clay borrow site at the Mile Post 7 tailings basin. The project also includes approximately 12,900 linear feet of stream mitigation across four sites.

2026 Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The DNR as the Responsible Government Unit (RGU) for environmental review of the project is accepting comments on the EAW.

EAW documents

Public Comment Period

Public notice of the availability of the EAW for public comment is in the July 28, 2026, edition of the EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period will be open from July 28, 2026, until 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27, 2026. A hard copy of the EAW is available for public review at the following libraries:

A hard copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5122.

How to comment:

Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting comments via email will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names and email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.

2023 Environmental Assessment Worksheet
Public notice of the availability of the EAW for public comment was in the April 18, 2023, edition of the EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period was open April 18 to May 18, 2023.

The proposed project

Northshore Mining Company has proposed to conduct certain activities and stream mitigation at its Mile Post 7 Tailings Basin. The proposed Tailings Basin Features cover approximately 339.1 acres and consists of relocating the existing railroad embankment, extending Dams 1 and 2, constructing a Dam 1 rail switchback, and excavating clay from a borrow pit for dam construction. The project also includes approximately 20,665 linear feet of stream mitigation at six separate sites.

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) for environmental review of the Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad Relocation, Dam Extensions, and Stream Mitigation Project in Lake County, Minnesota, has issued an environmental Assessment worksheet (EAW) for public review and comment.

2024 Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet
March 4, 2024, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review of the Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad Relocation, Dam Extensions, and Stream Mitigation Project located in Lake County, Minnesota, issued a Record of Decision regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.

The DNR concluded that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The justification for this determination is contained in the Record of Decision. The Record of Decision also contains the Department’s responses to all written comments received on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet during the 30-day public review and comment period. Issuing the Record of Decision concluded the state environmental review process for the project according to the State Environmental Review rules, Minnesota Rules part 4410.1000 to 4410.1700.

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