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Quarterly
Update
The following is a summary of the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) activities during the first quarter 2017 regarding
applications submitted by Poly Met Mining, Inc. (PolyMet) for its proposed
NorthMet mine and processing plant.
The MPCA and DNR send out quarterly messages summarizing activities and documents
added to the project website in the previous quarter. For the most up to date
information, check the state’s PolyMet web portal (www.mn.gov/polymet) and MPCA’s project website (www.pca.state.mn.us/northmet). It is also the
MPCA’s future goal to use this email subscription list to notify the public in
advance of any permit comment period or other opportunity for public
participation.
Air
quality permit
During this quarter, the MPCA completed its review of PolyMet’s Class I air
modeling report and approved it. Now MPCA
will use the report to draft permit conditions that ensure continued protection
of the air quality in nearby Class I areas, including the Boundary Waters Canoe
Area Wilderness. MPCA continues to review the other air modeling reports and
elements of the permit application. The MPCA posted the following to the
project website: a Class I modeling list of errata, AERA modeling list of
errata, and Class I modeling report approval.
Individual wastewater
NPDES/SDS water quality permit
MPCA continues to review PolyMet’s NPDES/SDS water quality permit application.
Work is ongoing in the areas of
antidegradation, permit limitations, and other permit requirements. MPCA continues to maintain routine
conversations with EPA during the review process.
Construction
stormwater general NPDES/SDS water quality permit
On February 7,
2017, PolyMet submitted an application for a Construction Stormwater General
Permit for geotechnical investigations at the NorthMet Project plant site and
tailings basin. Geotechnical investigations are very common prior to
construction of commercial buildings, apartments, and road projects; examples
include the Vikings stadium, the Saint Croix River Bridge, and the Highway 53
project near Virginia. Since these activities disturb more than one acre of
land, a Construction Stormwater General Permit is required before starting the
activity.
The purpose of
PolyMet’s geotechnical work is to investigate and characterize geological
conditions at the site prior to construction and mining operations. This
includes such activities as borings and test pits to determine soil
characteristics and depth to bedrock, and installation of monitoring wells.
Coverage under this application only authorizes activities related to the
geotechnical work; it does not authorize construction or operation of the
processing facility, mine pits, or other construction activities.
Coverage under
this permit was effective on March 9, 2017. MPCA approved PolyMet’s Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan (SWPPP) for the geotechnical work, which becomes an enforceable part of
the permit.
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water quality certification
MPCA continues to coordinate with DNR and US Army Corps of Engineers in
reviewing the request. The request and related application materials are
available on the project website.
You are receiving this message as a subscriber to
the PolyMet email notification list.
This list is hosted by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It is used
jointly by MPCA and DNR to provide regular updates and share information about
key steps in the permitting/certification processes, including opportunities
for public comment.
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