January 29, 2018

DNR - Petition deadline for contested case hearing is February 28, 2018, for draft PolyMet Permit to Mine

Public comment deadline remains March 6, 2018

Announcement:  The deadline for written petitions for a contested case hearing on the draft PolyMet permit to mine is February 28, 2018.  The deadline for public comments and written objections remains March 6, 2018.  Please see below and the DNR Formal Objections and Petitions for Contested Case Hearing fact sheet for further detail and requirements regarding petitions and objections.  For additional detail on public commenting, please see the DNR Effective Commenting fact sheet.

Additional Information:  In accordance with Minnesota Statute 93.483, petitions for a contested case hearing on a permit to mine application must be submitted within 30 days of the filing of a complete application.  DNR has deemed the complete PolyMet application “filed” today, January 29, 2018, in accordance with the process established in state law.  While the public comment and objection period remains open until March 6, 2018, those who seek to file a petition for a contested case hearing must do so by February 28, 2018, and meet all requirements of state statute (see DNR Formal Objections and Petitions for Contested Case Hearing fact sheet).  At the end of the petition deadline, DNR will review any petitions and determine whether they have met the requirements of statute and, if so, whether to grant a pre-decisional contested case hearing using the decision criteria outlined in the statute. 

Petitions for a contested case hearing must be submitted in writing to the address below. Hand-delivered petitions must be received by close of business (4:30 P.M.) on February 28, 2018. Petitions sent by US Mail must be postmarked on or before February 28, 2018.

MN Department of Natural Resources 

Division of Lands and Minerals 

500 Lafayette Road N, Box 45 

St. Paul, MN 55155-4045 

Options for submitting public comments and objections are different.  Specifically, public comments and objections to the draft permit to mine may be submitted using the following comment portal http://polymet.mn.gov/ or in writing to the address above.  They may also be submitted during the following public meetings:

(1) Wednesday, February 7, 2018 (Back-up date:  February 21, 2018)

Mesabi East (Aurora-Hoyt) High School

601 N 1st St W, Aurora, MN 55705

4:00-9:00 p.m.  Open house

6:00-9:00 p.m.  Public comment forum

  

(2) Thursday,  February 8, 2018 (Back-up date:  February 22, 2018)

DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center 

350 Harbor Drive, Duluth, MN 55802

1:00-9:00 p.m.  Open house

6:00-9:00 p.m.  Public comment forum

Comments and written objections on the NorthMet draft permit to mine will be accepted at these meetings.  Stenographers will be available to record oral comments offered individually and during the public comment forum.  In addition, comment boxes will be available for submitting written comments and objections.