After the Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness presentation on the PolyMet supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS) Frank Moe and Jane Reyer answered questions about the unwieldy environmental study, which fills these two binders.
“The SDEIS predicts that the project will not add to sulfate levels or other pollution. But that is dependent on the predicted rate at which pollutants flow to rivers through groundwater,” said Reyer, noting that the study models the river at a much lower level than actual. “If ground water flows more quickly, it will make a significant difference in the model.”
Reyer shared concerns about the destruction of valuable ecosystems and wildlife habitat, stating that PolyMet’s NorthMet mine would destroy at least 1,741 acres of high quality ecosystems, which provide habitat for many wildlife species, including Canada lynx, wolves and moose. In addition, she said the loss would include 698 acres of jack pine/ black spruce forest and portions of one of only 12 known populations of floating marsh marigolds in the state. She said 912 acres of high quality wetlands would be destroyed and said the additional acres lost or degraded due to groundwater drawdown, reduced river flow and the possible impacts of air or water pollution were not estimated.
Destruction of wildlife corridors is also a concern, said Reyer. “It’s already difficult for wildlife to go through this area. This will make it worse,” she said.
Finally, Reyer said, PolyMet would be responsible for 0.44 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state. “That’s almost half of the greenhouse gas emissions for the state,” she said, noting that the PolyMet project would only result in 0.1 percent of Minnesota’s gross domestic product. “To allow a company that only employees 0.12 percent of Minnesota workers to release that much greenhouse gas is a poor, poor, choice.”
Reyer echoed Johnston’s welcoming comments, noting that local voices are important. She asked people to take the handouts she brought, not just from NMW, but from WaterLegacy as well and use them to formulate a letter to the DNR.
“Don’t worry so much about being able to name specific things,” said Reyer. “Write about what you feel.”
The deadline for comments is March 13, 2014. Anyone wishing to comment should write to: Lisa Fay, EIS Project Manager, MN DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Environmental Review Unit, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 25, St. Paul MN 55155-4025 or email: NorthMetDEIS.dnr@state.mn.us.
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