Supplemental draft EIS to be prepared for proposed NorthMet mining project

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News Releases
Supplemental draft EIS to be prepared for proposed NorthMet mining project
(Released June 24, 2010)


The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, along with the U.S. Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), will prepare a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for PolyMet Mining’s proposed NorthMet mining project, located near Hoyt Lakes, Minn.

A supplemental draft EIS is needed in order to include analysis of the potential impacts of a land exchange between PolyMet and the U.S. Forest Service, to evaluate new information and new alternatives related to the NorthMet project, and to make the results of new analyses available for public review. The agencies have determined that this path is more efficient than having the U.S. Forest Service develop a separate EIS for the land exchange.

The agencies have met several times to discuss issues related to the supplemental draft EIS, and to identify the best path forward in completing the EIS. These meetings have strengthened the partnership among the state and federal agencies involved in completing the NorthMet EIS. This cooperation is demonstrated by the inclusion of the U.S. Forest Service as a co-lead agency and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a cooperating agency through the completion of the EIS process.

The supplemental draft EIS will:

Fully incorporate the proposed land exchange between PolyMet and the U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest.
Develop and incorporate additional project modifications, alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize environmental impacts.
Provide clear descriptions of alternatives and mitigation.
Consider EPA and other public comments and recommendations.
The supplemental draft EIS will be a fully revised document. It will build on the draft EIS and combine and simplify the two separate project and land exchange EISs. The supplemental draft EIS will provide appropriate public disclosure, include at least one public information meeting, ensure compliance with federal and state environmental review laws and regulations, and provide an effective and efficient process.

The agencies have made significant progress in reviewing the more than 3,700 comments received during the public review period for the draft EIS that ended in February. The agencies continue to evaluate new ideas for project alternatives and mitigation, and are planning additional studies and analyses.