JOBS FOR MINNESOTANS STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF PRELIMINARY FINAL EIS FOR POLYMET’S NORTHMET PROJECT
St. Paul, Minnesota (June 23, 2015) – Yesterday’s release of the preliminary final environmental impact statement (EIS) for PolyMet Mining’s NorthMet project is an important milestone for the state of Minnesota. The more than 55,000 union members and thousands of business leaders statewide who are a part of Jobs for Minnesotans are encouraged that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been able to review the more than 58,000 public comments submitted last year and incorporate this public feedback into the preliminary final EIS.
“This is an enormous accomplishment on the part of the DNR,” said Nancy Norr, Jobs for Minnesotans board chair. “The environmental review process for the NorthMet project has been extremely thorough, and we have the utmost respect for the careful work the DNR, the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers and all the cooperating regulatory agencies have done to ensure a safe and responsible project is brought to life that will bring jobs that sustain the continued economic recovery of the state. It’s time to keep moving this project forward.”
“Minnesota has the opportunity to be a leader throughout the world in the responsible development of copper, nickel and platinum group metals,” continued Norr. “Jobs for Minnesotans fully supports the NorthMet project and other projects that are still in the early stages of development, as well as the economic benefits these projects can bring to our state. Thousands of jobs in various industries would allow our families to flourish and provide high-quality career choices for future generations.”
The final steps in the environmental review process for PolyMet’s NorthMet project include the completion of the final EIS and an adequacy decision and records of decision, which are expected by the end of 2015.
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Jobs for Minnesotans was co-founded in October 2012 by Harry Melander of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council representing 55,000 workers and the late David Olson of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce representing 2,300 companies and 500,000 employees. This coalition represents businesses, middle class workers, labor, local governments and other supporters of job creation in the state of Minnesota. Jobs for Minnesotans was created to educate and provide information about the direct and ancillary job creation that the strategic metals mining can produce for the state.
Media Contact
Nancy Norr
nnorr@mnpower.com
Office: 218.723.3905
Cell: 218.590.6978