The process of environmental review of the first proposed copper mine in Minnesota has not allowed adequate public evaluation and participation.  The PolyMet NorthMet project is an example where improvements can be made. 

WaterLegacy is working to protect the ability of citizens to have meaningful input about this massively destructive mine that, according to the DEIS, woud pollute already impaired waters in the Lake Superior basin.  Such sulfide mines could result in enduring damage to water resources from toxic acid mine drainage and expensive cleanup liabilities to taxpayers for generations to come. 

ACTIONS and government agency responses

Comments from members of the public and the communities likely to be affected by a project are critical to whether that project is given adequate scrutiny.  Responsible agencies look to members of the community as well as “experts” to decide whether to push a company's project through permitting or take extra care to make sure that natural resources, like water and wetlands, are protected. 

However, after over 4 years of development of the PolyMet NorthMet Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) by the company and these agencies, they pushed out for public comment a woefully incomplete analysis of the potential impacts accompanying the project alternatives.  Moreover, they did not provide an adequate public-input process for the environmental review of this dangerous, permanently-polluting proposed mine plan.

Inadequate Public Participation Provisions - PolyMet environmental review

The 90-day public comment period was too short for meaningful public comment by many citizens and groups who are concerned.  Even though hundreds of substatntive comments on the shortcomings of the DEIS were submitted, many commenters were unable to do the necessary research and writing they would have been able to offer with another 3 months -- which would have served all parties better.  More complete comments could shorten the work necessary to address technical informatin-gathering and research that will be needed to address the gaps in the DEIS.

READ MORE:

Public Participation Introduction

No public Comment Period Extension (beyond 90 days)

No Public Hearings allowed on PolyMet DEIS.  1/19/2010 MDNR and USACE denied request

Wednesday, Dec. 9 and 10, public meetings were held that did not meet the definition of a hearing.  Public discourse has been stifled by their format, which forcefully prohibited members of the public from speaking or publicly asking questions.  Read WaterLegacy's letter to the Lead Agencies.   See the December 8, 2009  Press release that summarizes needed improvements in the public-participation process.

Gaps and flaws persist.

WaterLegacy and other groups win re-notice of the PolyMet project under Clean Water Act section 404.

Adequate consideration of the vastly polluting proposal described in the DEIS required more time and more venues to learn about it.  This is critically important.  The agencies charged with protecting public health and resources would use the final EIS information as a basis for the first nonferrous permit-to-mine, which would knowingly generate toxic acid mine drainage on a massive scale in Minnesota's lakes, rivers, streams, groundwater and the Lake Superior basin, possibly for thousands of years.

NEXT STEPS:   Agencies are preparing a Supplemental EIS, expected some time in 2011.  It will include responses to the unprecedented 3,800+ public comments submitted by February 3, 2010.  It will be expanded to include the impacts of the proposed land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service.  And it will include the U.S. EPA, which has authority to veto the project, as a cooperating agency.