September 2021
About this Update
To provide information about the State’s environmental review of Twin Metals Minnesota’s project proposal, the DNR will be issuing monthly updates to those who have signed up to receive them on the State web portal for Twin Metals Minnesota project. This message is the monthly update for activity during September 2021.
Each monthly update will provide information on the status of Minnesota’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process and identify any new documents that have been posted on the DNR’s webpages for the project since the prior monthly update.
The DNR is the responsible governmental unit for the State’s EIS. Please note that the federal government is preparing a separate EIS for the Twin Metals project. Information about the Federal EIS is available on the Bureau of Land Management’s National Environmental Policy Act Webpage. [Please note that the Federal EIS link is not set up to open with Internet Explorer; an alternate browser is needed.]
State EIS Process Status
Preparation of an EIS for any large and complex project is a multi-year process. The DNR is currently in the scoping phase of the EIS process for the proposed Twin Metals project. The scoping process helps ensure the future EIS assesses the proposed project’s potentially significant environmental impacts, but also helps define project alternatives, potential mitigations, timelines and additional data needs.
The scoping process is iterative. As is typical for a project of this complexity, the DNR anticipates multiple rounds of DNR comments followed by revisions from Twin Metals.
The DNR continues to review the proposer’s fourth Project Proposal revision for completeness and is working with Emmons and Olivier Resources, Inc. (EOR) on preparation of the overall scoping document. As noted in prior updates, EOR is the consultant hired by the DNR to assist with the EIS. Twin Metals is required to reimburse all costs associated with the EIS, including contractor assistance.
New Documents Available
No new DNR or Proposer documents were posted in September 2021.
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