COMMENT by Sept. 27 to Prevent Toxic Copper-Nickel Sulfide Ore Mining from Polluting Lake Superior Watersheds, Destroying Wetlands, and Increasing Mercury Contamination of Fish!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) has opened the public comment process for NewRange/Glencore to revive the zombie threat of a NorthMet copper-nickel sulfide ore mine in Minnesota’s Lake Superior watershed.

The PolyMet Section 404 Clean Water Act permit was revoked in 2023 because a mine in this location would cause violations of water quality standards of the downstream Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

Although NewRange has touted its “project design enhancements” and “modernized tailings management,” its actual application for a Section 404 permit includes two new tailings disposal facilities, 1,145 acres of direct wetlands destruction, and a huge 334-acre long-term waste rock pile on public waters wetlands adjacent to the Partridge River.

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Comment by Sunday, September 27!

Why is it urgent that you Comment?

This may be your only chance to comment on the Army Corps Section 404 permit for the NewRange copper-nickel sulfide ore mine in Minnesota’s Lake Superior watershed!

The sulfide ore mine proposed by NewRange/Glencore is a deeply flawed project that would harm Lake Superior watershed lands, waters, wetlands, air, and communities. Here are just a few of its proposed features:

  • NewRange would construct three new facilities for the disposal of tailings waste from the NorthMet sulfide ore mine. Two of them would be unlined, allowing uncontrolled seepage of pollutants into the Second Creek and Wyman Creek watersheds.
  • Second Creek is a wild rice water already impaired for excessive sulfate, and Wyman Creek, a designated trout stream flowing into Colby Lake, a drinking water source for the city of Hoyt Lakes.
  • The new tailings disposal facilities would include new dams to contain tailings waste. These dams are likely to be classified as Class I dams, also known as High Hazard dams.
  • NewRange’s mining proposal would directly harm 1,145 acres of wetlands, an increase of 242 acres of direct wetlands impacts from the reversed and rejected PolyMet NorthMet permits.
  • NewRange’s mining proposal would include an additional “temporary” lean ore and waste rock storage facility at the mine site on up to 334 acres of wetlands and forests adjacent to the Partridge River. Most of this toxic rockpile would be located on wetlands classified as “public waters wetlands” under Minnesota law.
  • The combination of direct excavation and indirect harm to wetlands, drying, and rewetting of wetlands, releases of sulfate and mercury, and increased mercury methylation will result in violation of state and downstream tribal water quality standards and harm to aquatic life, wildlife, and human health.

NewRange’s proposed plan to discharge sulfate and drain and rewet wetlands threatens a perfect storm for increased mercury contamination of fish.

 

What is the best way to Comment?

Draft your comments and upload them using DNR’s form. Comment by Sunday, September 27.

Feel free to begin your comments with a personal statement of your concern regarding the potential damage this mine may cause. This will mark your comment as unique.

Feel free to use the talking points above or the template below:

1) You can copy the template into the Army Corps comment form; or
2) Life Hack. You can upload a Word or PDF document using the template or this editable Word document and sign, add your name and address, then write in the comment form: “I’ve attached my comment on the NewRange NorthMet Mine,” and upload your comment.

CLICK HERE to open the USACE comment portal.

Click the dropdown if you need help using the form.

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Submit a Comment on the USACE Form

    1. Click here to access the Army Corps project page.
    2. Click “I Accept” to the popup agreement.
    3. Look for the Project Name: “NewRange Copper Nickel LLC – NorthMet Mine” (DA Number MVP-1999-05528-WMS) in the list.
    4. Look on the left side for a small blue comment bubble. It will look like this: 
    5. Click the comment bubble. A pop-up screen with a form will appear.
    6. Fill in your contact info. Your first and last name are required fields, marked with a red asterisk like this: *
    7. Write your comment: Click here to download an editable Word doc of the comment text below. Helpful Tip: We recommend editing/drafting your comment in a Word or Google Doc first so your comment won’t be lost if the form glitches.
    8. Type in a brief message in “Summary of Comments” text box: Dear U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Please see my attached comments on the NewRange proposed NorthMet Mine. Sincerely, **your name**
    9. Click “Attachments” and attach your comment in Word or PDF.
    10. Answer the security question.
    11. Click “Submit” on the lower right corner. Your comment will become part of the permanent public record for this comment period. The button will look like this: 
    12. Please send us a note so we know you’ve been able to submit your comment successfully. Email Sophia Patane, sophia@waterlegacy.org

Template Comment to Copy/Edit – Specific Concerns To Mention about the NewRange Mine and Request for New EIS

RE: NewRange Copper Nickel LLC – NorthMet Mine (DA Number MVP-1999-05528-WMS)

Dear U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Staff,

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the proposed NewRange Copper Nickel LLC (NewRange) NorthMet Mine proposal. I am concerned that the sulfide ore mine proposed by NewRange is another deeply flawed project that would harm Lake Superior watershed lands, waters, wetlands, air, and communities.

The NewRange NorthMet mine proposal would cause at least the same level of harm to wetlands and downstream waters as the revoked and rejected PolyMet NorthMet proposal. The Section 404 Permit should be denied.

In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) should require a new environmental impact statement (EIS) for the NewRange NorthMet mine proposal since it includes features that have the potential for significant environmental harm to Lake Superior watersheds and communities.

1. NewRange would construct three new facilities for the disposal of tailings waste from the NorthMet sulfide ore mine. Two of them would be unlined, allowing uncontrolled seepage of pollutants into the Second Creek and Wyman Creek watersheds.

2. Second Creek is a wild rice water already impaired for excessive sulfate, and Wyman Creek, a designated trout stream flowing into Colby Lake, a drinking water source for the city of Hoyt Lakes.

3. The new tailings disposal facilities near Second Creek and Wyman Creek would entail new dams to contain tailings waste. These dams are likely to be classified as Class I dams, also known as High Hazard dams.

4. NewRange’s mining proposal would directly harm 1,145 acres of wetlands, an increase of 242 acres of direct wetlands impacts from the reversed and rejected PolyMet NorthMet permits. 

5. NewRange’s mining proposal would include an additional “temporary” ore and waste rock storage facility at the mine site on up to 334 acres of wetlands and forests adjacent to the Partridge River. 

6. The combination of direct and indirect removal, drying, and rewetting of wetlands, releases of sulfate and mercury, and increased mercury methylation will result in increased mercury contamination in the food chain, violation of state and downstream tribal water quality standards and harm to aquatic life, wildlife, and human health. 

I ask the Army Corps to take a hard look at the science in a new environmental impact statement and to reject the NewRange Section 404 permit for NorthMet mine wetlands destruction.

Thank you for considering my comment.

Sincerely yours,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS
EMAIL