The Environmental Protection Agency, noting more than two dozen inadequacies in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickle mine, says the project should not go forward as planned.
Minnesota Public Radio has the full story HERE.
The federal agency is concerned about the possible impacts to water quality and wetlands, increased mercury emissions into the Lake Superior watershed, and financial assurances for possible environmental clean-up costs.
The Minnesota DNR says some of the EPA’s concerns reflect a difference in permitting procedures between the two agencies. Environmental advocates say the EPA’s criticisms highlights the concerns they have about the long-term impact of what could be Minnesota’s first copper-nickel mining operation.