Legalectric

PolyMet’s Draft Site Permit has been released by the Dept. of Natural Resources.  Here’s the link:

DNR’s Draft Site Permit (scroll down)

And in there are some links — official word from Barb Naramore, DNR, is that the Permit to Mine Application & Appendices and DNR’s Draft Special Conditions constitute the “Draft Site Permit” for the PolyMet mine, based on this statement:

Following review of PolyMet’s permit to mine application, DNR has prepared draft special conditions for the application. Together, the application and the draft special conditions are considered the draft permit to mine for the NorthMet project.

Guess that’s what they’re presenting as the “Draft Site Permit” for review and comment, but it looks pretty bizarre to me!

Here is that application and special conditions:

• Permit to Mine Application and Appendices (755 MB)
  (12/13/2017)
• Appendix 16 provided separately – Final Environmental Impact Statement and Related Environmental Reports(1.3 GB)
  (12/13/2017)
• Appendix 18.1 Wetland Replacement Plan Attachment D-1 (1 MB)
  (01/05/2018)
• DNR’s Draft Special Conditions (2 MB) 

Why did I ask about this?  You’ll note above, there is the DNR’s Draft Special Conditions, but tell me, do you see a Draft Site Permit anywhere?  I’d spent a lot of time looking, and cannot find anything that resembles a “Draft Site Permit.”  So I asked around.  Oh, but wait, there’s no project contact info on any of the DNR’s pages or press release.  WHAT? No problem, I have contact info for the chief grand poohbahs at the DNR, and that worked.

To Comment:

DNR’s PolyMet’s Permitting COMMENT Page (note you are asked to accept set up to Comment online

In the news:

4 things to know about the PolyMet mine — MPR

With Minnesota mining permit, PolyMet proposal reaches a turning point – STrib

Comments will be accepted through March 6, 2018.  Two public meetings (not hearings?) will be held.  Petitions for a Contested Case may NOT be filed using the online commenting form, so they say at the link above!

Brad Moore, former Commissioner at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has signed on with PolyMet.

He left the MPCA in December, 2008, for Barr Engineering.  Here’s a page from Barr Engineering about his visit there June 22, 2010 (job interview, eh?) and his presentation:

Brad Moore’s Presentation at Barr Engineering 6-22-07

And yesterday’s press release from PolyMet:

PolyMet Names Brad Moore Executive VP – Environmental and Governmental Affairs

Monday, January 24 2011

Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, January 24, 2011 – PolyMet Mining Corp. (TSX: POM; NYSE AMEX: PLM) (“PolyMet” or the “Company”) announced today that it has appointed Bradley (Brad) Moore as Executive Vice President, Environmental and Governmental Affairs.

Mr. Moore has more than 25 years experience in environmental regulation and review and is assuming overall responsibility for the Company’s effort to complete environmental review and obtain permits necessary for construction and operation of the NorthMet copper-nickel-precious metals project located in the established Mesabi mining district in northeastern Minnesota.

Mr. Moore served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (“MPCA”) from 2006 to 2008, and as Assistant Commissioner for Operations of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) from January 1999 to August 2006.  Prior to that, he worked in leadership and policy analyst positions with the MDNR and the Minnesota Department of Public Service (now the Department of Commerce).

In December 2008, Mr. Moore joined Barr Engineering as Senior Advisor, Public and Governmental Affairs where he advised several companies, including PolyMet, on environmental strategy.  Barr provides engineering services primarily in the upper Midwest, with a strong focus on environmental engineering.

“I’ve been working with Brad during his tenure at Barr,” said LaTisha Gietzen, PolyMet’s vice president of public, governmental and environmental affairs. “His existing knowledge of the project and the process mean that he can step in immediately to effectively help the environmental review and permitting process move forward to completion.”

During his tenure at the MPCA, Mr. Moore led successful efforts to negotiate a cleanup plan for industrial chemicals in the Twin Cities, and ensured timely review and approval of a $1.5 billion project on the Iron Range that will mine and process iron ore and produce steel. Mr. Moore represented the MDNR at the state legislature, testifying before legislative committees on budget, policy, and operations.  During his tenure at both MPCA and DNR, he worked closely with federal agencies and NGOs on environmental and regulatory topics.

“Brad’s broad and deep experience brings additional skills to our leadership team, enhancing our capacity as we increase our efforts in this final stage of environmental review,” said PolyMet president and CEO, Joe Scipioni. “His private and public sector expertise provides a unique perspective that will be extremely valuable as we complete environmental review and move into permitting our project.”

“I am excited to join the PolyMet team,” Mr. Moore added.  “PolyMet offers an important opportunity to Minnesota and the United States.  We can provide essential minerals each of us uses every day and we can demonstrate that non-ferrous mining can be done in a way that meets Minnesota’s high environmental standards.”

“Streamline” is code for “ram it through.”

Another one of those “change!” moments — look at what we’re getting:

Daytons Executive Order 11-04

So do tell, was this done to help push approval of Paul Aasen as Commissioner of MPCA?  Show that Dayton will roll for big business over environmental review?  There are such horrendous projects in the pipeline, ones that require a serious look, and ones that shouldn’t be permitted, period.  P-O-L-Y-M-E-T! Need I say more?  Oh, OK, how about 3M’s Cottage Grove Incinerator?   Hennepin County’s HERC Incinerator?

Here’s his Press Release:

Dayton Issues Executive Order to Speed Permitting Process

Dayton is right in line with Rep. Drazkowski — how scary can it get?

Drazkowski pitches regulatory reduction

WOW… and here I thought PolyMet’s Draft EIS was as moribund as the EIS for Excelsior Energy’s Mesaba Project.  Nope, here it is:

PolyMet Mining Draft EIS

It’s HUGE, it will take a while, there are a lot of parts.

They are not accepting comments until after November 2, so after that time, I’ll post info on that.