NorthMet Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS)

State and federal environmental review of the proposed PolyMet Mining Inc. project

Overview A comprehensive environmental analysis of Minnesota’s first proposed copper-nickel mine has been released for public review and input. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Forest Service are seeking public review and input on the SDEIS.   Review the SDEIS Download complete SDEIS or individual chapters » There are copies available for public review at several locations. Limited hard copy versions and CDs are also available. Public Meetings and Commenting The comment period closed on Thursday, March 13, 2014. Comment period will not be extended. Learn more » Email Updates Sign up to receive updates regarding the EIS process, public meetings, new information posted on the web page, news releases, and availability of materials, such as the Final EIS.

Fact Sheets We've prepared the following Fact Sheets (downloadable PDFs) to assist you in the review of the SDEIS. More detailed information can be found in the accompanying links. Click to topics below to expand. Click again to hide. Project and Land Exchange Overview Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Chapter 3.0 »   What is the Environmental Review Process? Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Chapter 1.0 »   What's Changed since the DEIS? Fact sheet »   More information: Chapter 2.0 » Chapter 3.0 »   Effective Commenting Fact sheet »   A Guide to the SDEIS Document Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Chapter 1.0 »   Air Quality Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.7 » Section 4.3.7 » Section 5.2.7 » Section 5.3.7 » Chapter 6 »   Water Quantity Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.2 » Section 4.3.2 » Section 5.2.2 » Section 5.3.2 » Chapter 6 »   Wetlands Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.3 » Section 4.3.3 » Section 5.2.3 » Section 5.3.3 » Chapter 6»   Water Quality Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.2 » Section 4.3.2 » Section 5.2.2 » Section 5.3.2 » Chapter 6 »   Wild Rice Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.2 » Section 4.2.9 » Section 5.2.2 » Section 5.2.9» Chapter 6 »   Mercury Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.2 » Section 4.3.7 » Section 5.2.2 » Section 5.3.7 » Chapter 6 »   Threatened and Endangered Species Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.4 » Section 4.3.5 » Section 5.2.4 » Section 5.3.5 » Chapter 6 »   Cultural Resources Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary » Section 4.2.9 » Section 4.3.9 » Section 5.2.9 » Section 5.3.9 » Chapter 6 »   Land Exchange Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary» Chapter 3 »   Reclamation Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary» Chapter 3 »   Cumulative Effects Fact sheet »   More information: Executive Summary» Chapter 6 »   Videos Click below to enlarge videos. Project Overview Review of Topics

Background

The NorthMet Project would create an open pit copper, nickel, cobalt and precious metals mine with adjacent stockpile areas; refurbish a portion of the former LTV Steel Mining Company (LTVSMC) processing plant and construct a new hydrometallurgical facility at the plant site; construct a new tailings basin facility on the site of LTVSMC tailings facilities; and add to existing utility infrastructure and rail lines. The Land Exchange would consist of USFS conveyance of Superior National Forest Lands encompassing the NorthMet mine site and surrounding lands to PolyMet, and USFS acquisition from PolyMet of up to five tracts of private lands within the Superior National Forest proclamation boundary. 

Partner links

USFS

The Land Exchange legal notice, identifying requirements under 36 CFR 218, is available on the Superior National Forest website, http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/superior/northmet. The Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation for the proposed NorthMet project are also posted on the Superior National Forest website.

USACE

The USACE public notice for the SDEIS and public meetings, and the public notice for the USACE Section 404 Clean Water Act Permit, are available on the Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District website, http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/ProjectsStudies/PolyMet.aspx.