October 19, 2018

DNR – Quarterly PolyMet Permitting Update – 3rd Quarter 2018

About This Quarterly Update

To provide regular updates on the State’s review of PolyMet’s applications for its proposed NorthMet project, the DNR and MPCA are each issuing quarterly messages to those who have signed up to the GovDelivery list.  This is the sixth quarterly update issued by the DNR.

Revised Application Received

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources received a revised application from PolyMet for a permit to take endangered or threatened species. Barr Engineering and their subcontractor Salix Environmental recently conducted rare plant surveys to inform PolyMet’s application for a permit to take endangered or threatened species. In advance of this field work, DNR reviewed and approved a plant survey work plan. The surveys were completed on June 20, and DNR has approved the final survey report.

Permit to Mine

The DNR and its consultants continue their review and careful consideration of the public comments, objections, and petitions for a contested case hearing on the draft PolyMet NorthMet permit to mine. This extensive review may result in changes to the draft permit. Using the decision criteria outlined in statute, the DNR will determine whether to hold a pre-decisional contested case hearing and the scope of any such hearing.  If no contested case hearing is held, DNR will proceed to making its final decision on the draft permit to mine. 

The draft permit to mine is comprised of the permit application, draft special conditions, and a draft wetlands replacement plan.  The draft permit to mine and several related fact sheets are posted on the DNR’s Permit to Mine webpage for the NorthMet project.

Wetland Replacement Plan

The DNR continues to review the wetland replacement plan (WRP). The comment period for the WRP was conducted concurrently with the permit to mine application, and ended on March 6, 2018.  

Water Appropriation

The DNR continues to review the comments received on these draft permits. Permit to mine comments that raise water appropriation-related issues are also being reviewed.

Dam Safety

The DNR continues to review the comments received on these draft permits. Permit to mine comments that raise dam safety-related issues are also being reviewed.

More Information

All GovDelivery messages, as well as additional documents, reports, and applications received to date are available on the State’s PolyMet Portal. Previous GovDelivery messages are under “News” on the main portal. Click on the DNR link to access other DNR-related documents.