Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Construction and Operation of an Open Pit Copper/Nickel/Cobalt/Precious Metals Mine, an Ore Processing Plant, and Tailings Basin Proposed by PolyMet Mining, Inc. Near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes in St. Louis County, MN, 38122-38123 [05-13018]

Download as PDF 38122 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices only to authorized persons with a valid need-to-know, who are appropriately screened, investigated and determined eligible for access. During non-duty hours, alarms systems and/or security or military police guards secure all locations. Only authorized personnel with a valid need-to-know are allowed access to JPAS. Additionally, JPAS users are subject to limitations within the system, based on their specific functions and security eligibility and access level. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: Automated records are actively retained during the entire period an individual maintains DoD affiliation. When either (1) the affiliation ends or (2) an applicant is not accepted for DoD affiliation, the automated records are actively retained for two years. At the end of the two-year period, the automated record is moved to an electronic archive with retrieval capability. Destruction of automated records is by erasure and/or degaussing. SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: Chief Information Officer/Chief Operating Officer, Defense Security Service, 1340 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314–1651. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the Defense Security Service, Office of Freedom of Information and Privacy, 1340 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314–1651. Individuals should provide their full name (and any alias and/or alternate names used), Social Security Number, and date and place of birth. RECORDS ACCESS PROCEDURES: Individuals seeking information about themselves contained in this system should address written inquiries to the Defense Security Service, Privacy Act Branch, 938 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090. Individuals should provide their full name (and any alias and/or alternate names used), Social Security Number, and date and place of birth. In addition, the requester must provide a notarized statement or an unsworn declaration made in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1746, in the following format: If executed without the United States: ‘I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).’ If executed within the United States, its territories, possessions, or VerDate jul<14>2003 18:11 Jun 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 commonwealths: ‘‘I declare (or certify, verify, or state) under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on (date). (Signature).’’ Attorneys or other persons acting on behalf of an individual must provide written authorization from that individual for their representative to act on their behalf. 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Additional information may be obtained from other sources (such as personnel security investigations, personal financial records, military service records, medical records and unsolicited sources.) EXEMPTIONS CLAIMED FOR THE SYSTEM: Investigatory material compiled solely for the purpose of determining suitability, eligibility, or qualifications for federal civilian employment, military service, federal contracts, or access to classified information may be exempt pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5), but only to the extent that such material would reveal the identity of a confidential source. An exemption rule for this system has been promulgated in accordance with requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(1), (2), and (3), (c) and (e) and published in 32 CFR part 321.13(h). For additional information contact the system manager. [FR Doc. 05–13000 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program Subcommittee Department of the Army, DoD. Notice; cancellation. AGENCY: ACTION: PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SUMMARY: The Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Program Subcommittee meetings scheduled for July 6 and 7, 2005 from 0800–1700 published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 (70 FR 36128) has been cancelled. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Pierre Blackwell, U.S. Army Cadet Command (ATCC–TR), Fort Monroe, VA 23651 at (757) 788–4326. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 05–13019 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Board of Visitors, United States Military Academy (USMA) Department of the Army, DOD. Notice; correction. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The notice of an open meeting scheduled for July 15, 2005 published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2005 (70 FR 33884) has a new meeting place. The meeting will now be held at the Kimsey Athletic Center, West Conference Room, 4th Floor, West Point, NY. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Colonel Shaun T. Wurzbach, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY 10996–5000, (845) 938–4200. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: None. Brenda S. Bowen, Army Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 05–13020 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–08–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Construction and Operation of an Open Pit Copper/ Nickel/Cobalt/Precious Metals Mine, an Ore Processing Plant, and Tailings Basin Proposed by PolyMet Mining, Inc. Near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes in St. Louis County, MN Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: PolyMet Mining, Inc., has applied to the St. Paul District, Corps of E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2005 / Notices Engineers (Corps) for a permit to discharge fill material into wetlands to facilitate the construction and operation of an open pit copper/nickel/cobalt/ precious metals mine in the low grade polymetallic disseminated magmatic sulfide NorthMet deposit in northeastern Minnesota, approximately 6 miles south of the town of Babbitt. The mining process would require the construction of waste and product stockpiles near the open pit. Ore processing would be conducted at a currently inactive taconite processing plant (modifications would be necessary), and ore tailings would be disposed of in a currently inactive taconite tailings basin adjacent to the processing plant. The processing plant and tailings basin are located about 8 miles west of the NorthMet deposit and about 5 miles north of the town of Hoyt Lakes. Ore would be transported from the mine to the processing plant via an existing railroad line. Construction of a railroad spur to the mine and a connecting railroad line to the plant site would be required. Project plans call for the mining of up to 32,000 tons of ore per day after overburden and waste rock stripping and stockpiling. Mining operations would be conducted 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, over the 20-year life of the project. Processing the ore would involve crushing, grinding, flotation, and hydrometallurgical processing. Cathode copper (high purity metal) would be produced on-site by solvent extraction and electrowinning. The processing would produce other metals (nickel, cobalt, palladium, platinum, and gold) as precipitates rather than as finished metal. The precipitates would be shipped offsite for further refining. The project would require dredging or discharging fill material into an estimated 1,257 acres of wetlands. While some of the wetlands may be isolated, the majority of the wetlands are adjacent to the Partridge River, which is a tributary to the St. Louis River, which is a navigable water of the United States. A specific compensatory wetland mitigation plan has not yet been developed for the project. PolyMet Mining, Inc., has expressed interest in working with various interested federal and state agencies to develop an acceptable plan that would meet federal and state compensatory mitigation requirements. The discharge of fill material into waters of the United States requires a permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The final environmental impact statement will be used as a basis for the permit decision and to ensure compliance with the VerDate jul<14>2003 18:11 Jun 30, 2005 Jkt 205001 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the DEIS can be addressed to Mr. Jon K. Ahlness, Regulatory Branch by letter at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 190 Fifth Street East, St. Paul MN 55101–1638, by telephone at (651) 290–5381, or by e-mail at jon.k.ahlness@mvp02.usace.army.mil. The Corps and the State of Minnesota will jointly prepare the DEIS. The Corps is the lead federal agency and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) is the lead state agency. The U.S. Forest Service is a cooperating agency. The Corps and the MnDNR will prepare and release to the public a Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and a Draft Scoping Decision Document. The public will have 30 days to provide comments on those two documents. The Corps and the MnDNR will conduct a public scoping meeting in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota during the 30-day public comment period. A notice will be published or aired in local media once the meeting has been scheduled. Additional meetings will be conducted as needed. In accordance with 40 CFR 1506.5(c) and Corps policy, a third party contractor will be selected to prepare the DEIS. We anticipate that the DEIS will be available to the public in the summer of 2006. The DEIS will assess impacts of the proposed action and reasonable alternatives, identify and evaluate mitigation alternatives, and discuss potential environmental monitoring. Significant issues and resources to be identified in the DEIS will be determined through coordination with responsible federal, state, and local agencies; the general public; interested private organizations and parties; and affected Native American Tribes. Anyone who has an interest in participating in the development of the DEIS is invited to contact the St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers. Major issues identified to date for discussion in the DEIS are the impacts of the proposed project on: 1. Natural resources including: Fishery, wildlife, vegetation, waters of the U.S., including wetlands, and riparian areas. 2. Water quality, water quantity, groundwater, erosion, and sedimentation. 3. Air quality. 4. Social and economic resources. 5. Downstream resources. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 38123 Additional issues of interest may be identified through the public scoping meeting and agency meetings. The development of an open pit sulfide ore mine and associated ore processing and tailings facilities would be considered major in scope. The project: (1) Would have a significant adverse effect on wetlands (which are special aquatic sites), (2) has the potential to significantly affect water quality and groundwater, and (3) would also adversely affect plankton, fish, and wildlife. Our environmental review will be conducted to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Council of Environmental Quality Regulations, Endangered Species Act of 1973, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and applicable laws and regulations. Dated: June 23, 2005. Michael F. Pfenning, Colonel, Corps of Engineers District Engineer. [FR Doc. 05–13018 Filed 6–30–05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710–CY–M DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Meeting of the Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. ACTION: Quarterly Meeting Notice; The Board of Regents of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The actions that will take place are the approval of the minutes from the Board of Regents meetings on May 19–20, 2005; departmental reports; and degrees from the USU School of Medicine. The President, USU; Dean, USU School of Medicine; and Dean, USU Graduate School of Nursing will also present reports. These actions are necessary in order to remain an accredited medical school and to pursue our mission, which is to provide trained medical personnel to our uniformed services. This meeting is in Harrisburg, PA to allow observation of a medical field exercise. DATES: July 18, 2005, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ADDRESSES: Hilton Harrisburg and Towers, 1 North Second Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barry W. Wolcott, M.D., Executive Secretary, Board of Regents, 301–295– 3981. E:\FR\FM\01JYN1.SGM 01JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 126 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38122-38123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13018]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army; Corps of Engineers


Intent To Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Construction and Operation of an Open Pit Copper/Nickel/Cobalt/
Precious Metals Mine, an Ore Processing Plant, and Tailings Basin 
Proposed by PolyMet Mining, Inc. Near Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes in St. 
Louis County, MN

AGENCY: Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DOD.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: PolyMet Mining, Inc., has applied to the St. Paul District, 
Corps of

[[Page 38123]]

Engineers (Corps) for a permit to discharge fill material into wetlands 
to facilitate the construction and operation of an open pit copper/
nickel/cobalt/precious metals mine in the low grade polymetallic 
disseminated magmatic sulfide NorthMet deposit in northeastern 
Minnesota, approximately 6 miles south of the town of Babbitt. The 
mining process would require the construction of waste and product 
stockpiles near the open pit. Ore processing would be conducted at a 
currently inactive taconite processing plant (modifications would be 
necessary), and ore tailings would be disposed of in a currently 
inactive taconite tailings basin adjacent to the processing plant. The 
processing plant and tailings basin are located about 8 miles west of 
the NorthMet deposit and about 5 miles north of the town of Hoyt Lakes. 
Ore would be transported from the mine to the processing plant via an 
existing railroad line. Construction of a railroad spur to the mine and 
a connecting railroad line to the plant site would be required. Project 
plans call for the mining of up to 32,000 tons of ore per day after 
overburden and waste rock stripping and stockpiling. Mining operations 
would be conducted 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, over the 20-
year life of the project. Processing the ore would involve crushing, 
grinding, flotation, and hydrometallurgical processing. Cathode copper 
(high purity metal) would be produced on-site by solvent extraction and 
electrowinning. The processing would produce other metals (nickel, 
cobalt, palladium, platinum, and gold) as precipitates rather than as 
finished metal. The precipitates would be shipped offsite for further 
refining.
    The project would require dredging or discharging fill material 
into an estimated 1,257 acres of wetlands. While some of the wetlands 
may be isolated, the majority of the wetlands are adjacent to the 
Partridge River, which is a tributary to the St. Louis River, which is 
a navigable water of the United States. A specific compensatory wetland 
mitigation plan has not yet been developed for the project. PolyMet 
Mining, Inc., has expressed interest in working with various interested 
federal and state agencies to develop an acceptable plan that would 
meet federal and state compensatory mitigation requirements. The 
discharge of fill material into waters of the United States requires a 
permit pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The final 
environmental impact statement will be used as a basis for the permit 
decision and to ensure compliance with the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions concerning the DEIS can be 
addressed to Mr. Jon K. Ahlness, Regulatory Branch by letter at U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, 190 Fifth Street East, St. Paul MN 55101-1638, 
by telephone at (651) 290-5381, or by e-mail at 
jon.k.ahlness@mvp02.usace.army.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Corps and the State of Minnesota will 
jointly prepare the DEIS. The Corps is the lead federal agency and the 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) is the lead state 
agency. The U.S. Forest Service is a cooperating agency. The Corps and 
the MnDNR will prepare and release to the public a Scoping 
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and a Draft Scoping Decision 
Document. The public will have 30 days to provide comments on those two 
documents. The Corps and the MnDNR will conduct a public scoping 
meeting in Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota during the 30-day public comment 
period. A notice will be published or aired in local media once the 
meeting has been scheduled. Additional meetings will be conducted as 
needed. In accordance with 40 CFR 1506.5(c) and Corps policy, a third 
party contractor will be selected to prepare the DEIS. We anticipate 
that the DEIS will be available to the public in the summer of 2006.
    The DEIS will assess impacts of the proposed action and reasonable 
alternatives, identify and evaluate mitigation alternatives, and 
discuss potential environmental monitoring. Significant issues and 
resources to be identified in the DEIS will be determined through 
coordination with responsible federal, state, and local agencies; the 
general public; interested private organizations and parties; and 
affected Native American Tribes. Anyone who has an interest in 
participating in the development of the DEIS is invited to contact the 
St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers. Major issues identified to date 
for discussion in the DEIS are the impacts of the proposed project on:
    1. Natural resources including: Fishery, wildlife, vegetation, 
waters of the U.S., including wetlands, and riparian areas.
    2. Water quality, water quantity, groundwater, erosion, and 
sedimentation.
    3. Air quality.
    4. Social and economic resources.
    5. Downstream resources.
    Additional issues of interest may be identified through the public 
scoping meeting and agency meetings.
    The development of an open pit sulfide ore mine and associated ore 
processing and tailings facilities would be considered major in scope. 
The project: (1) Would have a significant adverse effect on wetlands 
(which are special aquatic sites), (2) has the potential to 
significantly affect water quality and groundwater, and (3) would also 
adversely affect plankton, fish, and wildlife. Our environmental review 
will be conducted to the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Council 
of Environmental Quality Regulations, Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and applicable laws and 
regulations.

    Dated: June 23, 2005.
Michael F. Pfenning,
Colonel, Corps of Engineers District Engineer.
[FR Doc. 05-13018 Filed 6-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-CY-M

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