US Steel Corp - Tailings - Wastewater Permit

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/11/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9/11/25 - Variance.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/11/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9/11/25.

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Comment From: Amy Norenberg

9/10/25 @ 10:26 AM

I am a lifelong resident of northeastern Minnesota, where mining has sustained families, communities, and local economies for generations. More than 85% of America's domestic steel production begins here, and the ripple effects reach far beyond the I...↓

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Comment From: Brenda Keranen

9/10/25 @ 10:08 AM

Save the mines. I lived here for 60 years . We have plenty of rice. My father, grandfather and brothers , neighbors and friends have been mining for years. The mine reclamation projects have shown a great clean up history these mining plants have had...↓

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Comment From: Anonymous Anonymous

9/10/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comment submitted 9/10/25.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/10/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9/10/25 - Variance.

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Comment From: John sr. Kolterman

9/09/25 @ 4:13 PM

We drink water from mine pits. It's has sulfate in it also, I've drank this water for 69 years. Redo your science that is out dated! I see plenty of Wild Rice on lakes around here, you're not fooling anyone that lives on the Iron Range! We need min...↓

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Comment From: Maria Warwas

9/09/25 @ 2:48 PM

Please consider these remarks as prepared for the public hearing in Virginia, MN, on September 3rd. I chose to give my speaking time-slot to another attendee:

My name is Maria Warwas and I hail from Clinton Township.

"More harm than good"— we've al...↓

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Comment From: Gregory Pierce

9/09/25 @ 2:30 PM

I believe that the variance request should be granted and USSteel should be allowed to discharge. This does not harm the wild rice or fisheries.

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Comment From: Leonard Conley

9/09/25 @ 1:36 PM

how many parts per million does Minnesota Powers Boswell put into water
Following a 5.5 million-gallon coal ash wastewater leak at the Minnesota Power Boswell Energy Center in July 2024, preliminary monitoring detected sulfate levels above 10 parts p...↓

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Comment From: Jeffery Baker

9/09/25 @ 12:36 PM

As an Iron Range miner, I would like to simply ask for a fact based standard. One that is based on the most recent information and science, not science based in 1970. Why should mines be held to a lower sulfate standard than drinking water? That simp...↓

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Comment From: Ashley Johnson

9/09/25 @ 11:01 AM

U.S. Steel has strong environmental policies that are honored. They are also overlooked by MSHA. Mining provides opportunities to create essential products the whole world uses. It also provides families with careers. Sub-contractors rely on work fro...↓

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/09/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9/9/25 - Variance.

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Comment From: Dawn Heisel

9/08/25 @ 5:05 PM

I have lived on the Iron Range since 1975, residing for the last 30 years on the north shore of Sand Lake in Britt. In the 1980's every member of my immediate family was forced to relocate as a result of the downturn in the mining industry at that t...↓

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/08/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received from multiple senders regarding the variance.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/07/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments regarding variance received from multiple senders 9/7/25

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Comment From: Terry Carlson

9/06/25 @ 3:34 PM

The anti-mining groups don't care about the environment regarding both the wastewater mine permit and the tailings basin permit--this nothing more than a political move. WE LIVE HERE--no one cares more about our ground water more than we do. We're up...↓

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Comment From: Larry Montan

9/05/25 @ 9:19 PM

writing to encourage the MPCA to REJECT US Steel's request for a variance so they can pollute about the standard. The science is very clear - their request will harm native americans and the wild rice they harvest.

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Comment From: Michael Overend

9/05/25 @ 4:07 PM

Thank you to the MPCA staff for hosting the important public hearing in Virginia, MN on Wednesday, 9/3/25, focused on the US Steel Corp-Tailings-Wastewater Permit, including the presentation by your MPCA representatives as well as the public comments...↓

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Comment From: Robert Youngman

9/05/25 @ 2:50 PM

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is intended to provide comments regarding public notice of draft NPDES permits MN0055948 and MN0031879 for the U. S. Steel Keetac tailings basin and mining area, respectively. My interests include protecting our ...↓environment as well as retaining and expanding mining opportunities.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) sulfate water quality standard of 10 mg/L for wild rice waters raises concerns about consequences to the Iron Range and communities across the state. MPCA was directed to review and update the wild rice sulfate standard in 2011 but has not yet completed this task. The future of Minnesota mines, local governments and other industries are critically affected by the enforcement of the current outdated standard.

I strongly urge MPCA to update the wild rice sulfate standard using current science and site-specific variables. The current 10 mg/L sulfate standard oversimplifies the environmental needs of wild rice. Many other factors determine wild rice resilience, such as water depth, water fluctuation, predation, and competing vegetation. The current 10 mg/L standard is not proven to be effective and compliance with it is unattainable for many businesses and communities. From wastewater facilities and small businesses to mines employing thousands of Minnesotans, the cost of meeting a 10 mg/L sulfate standard puts Minnesota citizens at risk with no guaranteed outcome.

Please do not waste time, money and energy on a sulfate standard that does not make sense. I strongly urge you to refrain from including permit limits for sulfate until the time and resources are invested to develop a sulfate standard the follows modern science, addresses site-specific variables, and contains cost as required by the 2011 law.

In summary, I urge the MPCA to:
• Refrain from including sulfate limits in Keetac's permits. (If the permit limits remain as proposed, the MPCA must modify the permits to contain a single sulfate compliance point and allow more time for compliance.)
• Abide by the 2011 law and update the 10 mg/L sulfate standard that the State of Minnesota has recognized as being incorrect.

Thank you,

Robert J. Youngman
605 South 6th Avenue
Virginia, MN 55792
218-741-2557

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Comment From: Gay Trachsel

9/05/25 @ 8:12 AM

I thank you for upholding the 10MG/million sulfate standard and do not give KEETAC -Nippon mine a variance. Studies, updated studies, required by Minnesota's Legislature, have been shown that high levels of sulfate and mercury kill wild rice and har...↓

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/05/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received from multiple senders 9/4/25.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/05/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments regarding variance received from multiple senders 9/5/25

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Comment From: Conservation Minnesota (Tracy Whitney)

9/04/25 @ 8:13 PM

Comments submitted on behalf of Conservation Minnesota and 472 of our members.

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Comment From: Becky Rom

9/04/25 @ 12:04 PM

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Comment From: Anonymous Anonymous

9/04/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comment received regarding variance.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/04/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received from multiple senders 9/4/25.

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Comment From: Steven Biondich

9/03/25 @ 7:21 PM

Good afternoon,
My name is Steve Biondich, and I am currently the Mayor of Biwabik. I also stand here as someone who worked for 17 years in the mining industry until I was laid off this spring but still serve as the current Financial Secretary for th...↓

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Comment From: Brian Silber

9/03/25 @ 6:44 PM

As a member of the local business community, I am concerned about the implications of the draft permits for Keetac. Requiring sulfate compliance at each outfall is inefficient and scientifically unsound. A single downstream compliance point would bet...↓

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Comment From: Lee Gorsha

9/03/25 @ 6:29 PM

To the MPCA,

Why not put the water standard in place all at once so it is fair to all? If this is to be placed on cities too, then doing it this way will bring the cost for everyone into play. Why is there no proactive solutions or studies on the MP...↓

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Comment From: Andrew Altobell

9/03/25 @ 6:22 PM

To Whom It May Concern,
As a resident of a community affected by Keetac's operations, I am concerned about the MPCA's decision to require sulfate compliance at each outfall, despite all discharges entering a single water body. A downstream compliance...↓

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Comment From: Alyssa Anderson

9/03/25 @ 5:55 PM

Hello,

As a resident of a community downstream from the Keetac facility, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits. Requiring compliance at each individual outfall...↓

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Comment From: Labors Union Member Harry Home... (Harry Homer)

9/03/25 @ 5:50 PM

Dear MPCA,

My name is Harry Homer, and I am a proud member of the Laborers' Union and a resident of a community downstream from the Keetac facility. I am writing to express my concerns about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach t...↓

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Comment From: Craig Douglas

9/03/25 @ 5:50 PM

Dear MPCA,

As a supplier connected to Keetac, I am concerned about the draft permits' sulfate compliance requirements. Monitoring at each outfall is not representative of actual environmental impact. A single downstream compliance point is more accu...↓

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Comment From: union member skylar Mattila (Skylar Mattila)

9/03/25 @ 5:46 PM

As a union member and resident of a community downstream from the Keetac facility, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits. Requiring compliance at each individua...↓

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Comment From: Brandy Muhich

9/03/25 @ 5:43 PM

Dear MPCA,

My name is Brandy Muhich, and I work at NTS, which supports Minnesota's mining and manufacturing supply chain. I am commenting on the proposed enforcement of the 10 mg/L sulfate standard in the Keetac permit.

This standard is not achieva...↓

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Comment From: Vickie Platt

9/03/25 @ 5:36 PM

Hello,

As a resident of a community downstream from the Keetac facility, and as someone with family members who are proud union workers, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in th...↓

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Comment From: Katrina Davis

9/03/25 @ 5:30 PM

Hello,

As a business who serves Minnesota's industrial sector, I am concerned about the impact of enforcing the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard. While this rule directly affects industries like mining and wastewater treatment, its consequences ext...↓

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Comment From: Meadow Kouffeld

9/03/25 @ 5:29 PM

Dear MPCA,

My name is Meadow Kouffeld, and I work at Northeast Technical Services, which supports Minnesota's mining and manufacturing supply chain. I am commenting on the proposed enforcement of the 10 mg/L sulfate standard in the Keetac permit.

T...↓

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Comment From: Shawn Dickson

9/03/25 @ 5:20 PM

To Whom It May Concern,

As a resident of a community affected by Keetac's operations, I am concerned about the MPCA's decision to require sulfate compliance at each outfall, despite all discharges entering a single water body. I work as a fire fight...↓

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Comment From: Union Member Barbara Taray (Barbara Taray)

9/03/25 @ 5:18 PM

Hello,

As a resident of a community affected by Keetac's operations, a proud union member of USW Local 2705, and a farmer, I am concerned about the MPCA's decision to require sulfate compliance at each outfall, despite all discharges entering a sing...↓

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Comment From: Ryan Fink

9/03/25 @ 5:14 PM

To the MPCA,

As a member of the Gilbert community and a union member, I am concerned about the implications of the draft permits for Keetac. Requiring sulfate compliance at each outfall is inefficient and scientifically unsound. This could impact so...↓

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Comment From: Union Member Lee Majerle (Lee Majerle)

9/03/25 @ 5:12 PM

Hello,

As a union member and resident of a community affected by Keetac's operations, I am deeply concerned about the MPCA's approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits. Requiring compliance at each outfall, when all discharges enter a singl...↓

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Comment From: Pamela LaBine

9/03/25 @ 5:10 PM

Dear MPCA,

As an elected official representing Minnesotans and the city of Keewatin, I urge the MPCA to reconsider the enforcement of the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard. This standard, adopted in the 1970s and based on research from the 1940s, do...↓

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Comment From: board member of IMA (Marci Knight)

9/03/25 @ 5:07 PM

I am here to support U.S. Steel and their submissions two site-specific standard (SSS) requests for sulfate at Hay Lake near Keetac.

The 2014 request was never acted upon by MPCA and the 2022 request was denied. These applications followed MPCA guid...↓

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Comment From: John Taray

9/03/25 @ 5:02 PM

To Whom It May Concern,

As a resident of Iron, a community affected by Keetac's operations, I am concerned about the MPCA's decision to require sulfate compliance at each outfall, despite all discharges entering a single water body. A downstream com...↓

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Comment From: Premium Plant Solutions (Mark Parenteau)

9/03/25 @ 5:00 PM

Hello,

I am the owner of Premium Plant Services, a Minnesota-based business that serves industries critical to our state's economy. I am writing to express concern about the enforcement of the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard. This rigid requiremen...↓

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Comment From: Mitchell Gilbert

9/03/25 @ 4:57 PM

As a US Steel employee, I am concerned about the impact of enforcing the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard. While this rule directly affects industries like mining and wastewater treatment, its consequences extend across the entire supply chain—inclu...↓

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Comment From: Beth Ann Mackey

9/03/25 @ 4:51 PM

To Whom It May Concern at the MPCA,

As a resident of Keewatin, near the Keetac facility, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits. Requiring compliance at each in...↓

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Comment From: Mayor of Silver Wade LeBlanc (Wade LeBlanc)

9/03/25 @ 4:48 PM

Hello,

My name is [Name], and I serve as Mayor of Silver Bay, a community whose history and future are closely tied to Minnesota's mining industry. I am writing to provide comment on the proposed enforcement of the 10 mg/L sulfate standard in Keetac...↓

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Comment From: Adam Thompson

9/03/25 @ 4:46 PM

To Whom it May Concern,

Please consider lowering the Minnesota Sulfate Standard. These mines have put countless meals on the tables and children through college for our communities. I personally have worked at some of these facilities. For the past ...↓

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Comment From: Stacy Oltmanns

9/03/25 @ 4:39 PM

Hello,

I am writing to provide comments regarding public notice of draft NPDES permits MN0055948 and MN0031879 for the U.S. Steel Keetac tailings basin and mining area, respectively. I have interest in these draft permits because I, like most Minnes...↓otans, care deeply about protecting the environment. I am also a community member who understands and values the importance of the mining industry to our region. Mining supports families, schools, local businesses, and entire communities across the Iron Range, and its future is directly tied to the decisions being made in these permits.

I am concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) sulfate water quality standard of 10 mg/L for wild rice waters and its consequences to the Iron Range and communities across the state. MPCA was directed to review and update the wild rice sulfate standard in 2011 but has not done so to date. The enforcement of this outdated standard could jeopardize not only the mining industry, but also the stability of local governments and the livelihoods of people who call this region home.

I strongly urge MPCA to update the wild rice sulfate standard considering current science and site-specific variables. The current 10 mg/L sulfate standard oversimplifies the environmental needs of wild rice. Many other factors determine wild rice resilience, such as water depth and fluctuation, predation, and competing vegetation. Wild rice has even proven to be successful in waters with sulfate levels up to 1,600 mg/L and beyond—160 times higher than our current standard. The 10 mg/L standard is not proven to be effective, and compliance with it is unattainable for many businesses and communities. From wastewater facilities and small businesses to mines employing thousands of Minnesotans, the cost of meeting this arbitrary standard would put Minnesota at risk with no guaranteed outcome.

The current Keetac compliance schedule is also too short and unattainable. There are no commercially proven or economical sulfate treatment strategies available anywhere in the world. Rushing compliance will only lead to costly, ineffective solutions that could cause new environmental harms, such as increased solid waste, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions. More time is needed to allow for proper evaluation and development of feasible treatment strategies that could benefit all Minnesotans.

In addition, requiring wild rice sulfate compliance at each of Keetac's outfalls does not make scientific sense when they all discharge to the same water body. A single downstream compliance point would be the most accurate and protective measure. MPCA must modify the permits accordingly.

Finally, U.S. Steel's site-specific standard (SSS) requests in 2014 and 2022 followed MPCA's own guidance and provided strong evidence that a higher sulfate standard is appropriate for Hay Lake, where wild rice has thrived for nearly 60 years despite discharges. It is concerning that MPCA has disregarded these applications and failed to take site-specific conditions and modern science into account.

In summary, I urge the MPCA to:

Refrain from including sulfate limits in Keetac's permits. If limits remain, they must be based on a single, scientifically valid compliance point and allow more time for compliance.

Abide by the 2011 law and update the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard, which the state has already acknowledged is incorrect.

As a community member who cares about both the environment and the mining industry, I ask the MPCA to make balanced, science-based decisions that protect natural resources while also ensuring the economic stability and future of the Iron Range.

Stacy Oltmanns
Community Member of Gilbert

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Comment From: Marcus Thompson

9/03/25 @ 4:38 PM

To Whom It May Concern,

Please reconsider the wild rice sulfate standard of 10 mg/L. This is far below the drinking water standard and this causes unreasonable cost for mining companies that decrease the ability for them to compete domestically. Als...↓

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Comment From: Travis Flynn

9/03/25 @ 4:33 PM

Hello,

As a community member and student from the Iron Range, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits for Keetac. The future of these decisions doesn't just affe...↓

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Comment From: Barb Kalmi

9/03/25 @ 4:29 PM

Hello,

I am writing to provide comments regarding public notice of draft NPDES permits MN0055948 and MN0031879 for the U.S. Steel Keetac tailings basin and mining area. I have interest in these draft permits because I, like most Minnesotans, care de...↓eply about protecting our environment, and because I serve both as a community member from Keewatin and as the vice chair of our local school district. In these roles, I see firsthand how decisions surrounding industry and environmental regulation directly impact families, students, and the future of our region.

I am concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) sulfate water quality standard of 10 mg/L for wild rice waters and its consequences to the Iron Range and communities across the state. MPCA was directed to review and update the wild rice sulfate standard in 2011 but has not done so to date. The future of Minnesota mines, local governments, schools, and industries are critically affected by the enforcement of this outdated standard. As a school district leader, I know how much our communities depend on stable employment and tax revenue from the mining industry to fund classrooms, extracurricular activities, and essential services for our children. Without mining, the ripple effect on schools, families, and community well-being would be devastating.

I strongly urge MPCA to update the wild rice sulfate standard considering current science and site-specific variables. The current 10 mg/L sulfate standard oversimplifies the environmental needs of wild rice. Many other factors determine wild rice resilience, such as water depth and fluctuation, predation, and competing vegetation. Wild rice has proven to thrive in waters with sulfate levels far beyond 10 mg/L, and yet our state continues to hold communities and industries to an unattainable and unproven threshold. This misplaced requirement threatens not only businesses and municipalities but also the livelihood of working families and the sustainability of our schools.

The current Keetac compliance schedule is also too short and unattainable. There are currently no commercially proven and economical sulfate treatment strategies in place anywhere in the world. Time is needed to evaluate and develop treatment alternatives that are effective and achievable. As a community member, I worry about rushing into costly, ineffective technologies that bring new environmental harms while draining the financial resources of companies that employ our neighbors. As a school district leader, I worry about the long-term consequences this has on our local economy, the tax base, and ultimately the opportunities we are able to provide our students.

Additionally, the two draft permits require wild rice sulfate compliance at each of Keetac's outfalls, even though they all discharge into a single water body where the wild rice standard applies. The compliance point should protect that water body and be representative of the combined discharges. MPCA must modify the permits to include a single downstream compliance point as proposed by the permittee, which is both factually accurate and more reasonable.

U.S. Steel has also submitted two site-specific standard (SSS) requests for sulfate at Hay Lake near Keetac. The 2014 request was never acted upon, and the 2022 request was denied, despite following MPCA guidance and demonstrating that a higher sulfate standard is warranted. It is concerning that the MPCA continues to disregard modern science and site-specific conditions when the health of our environment, economy, and communities are all at stake.

In summary, I urge the MPCA:

To refrain from including sulfate limits in Keetac's permits.

If limits remain, to modify the permits to include a single sulfate compliance point and allow a longer compliance schedule.

To abide by the 2011 law and update the 10 mg/L sulfate standard, which the state itself has recognized as outdated and incorrect.

As both a community member from Keewatin and a school district vice chair, I cannot stress enough that these decisions do not occur in isolation. They affect families, children, and the sustainability of the Iron Range. Our environment and economy must be balanced through science-based, site-specific standards that protect wild rice while also ensuring the long-term viability of our communities and schools.

Barb Kalmi
RAMS President and ISD 319 Vice Chair

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Comment From: Daniel Manick

9/03/25 @ 4:26 PM

Dear MPCA,
My name is Daniel Manick, and I serve as Mayor of Cook, located near the Keetac mining operation. I am writing to provide comment on the proposed enforcement of the 10 mg/L sulfate standard in Keetac's permit.
I support protecting wild ric...↓

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Comment From: Union Worker Cory Willeck (Cory Willeck)

9/03/25 @ 4:20 PM

Hello,

I am submitting comments on the draft NPDES permits MN0055948 and MN0031879 for U.S. Steel Keetac. I work in the mining industry, and like many of my union brothers and sisters, I care about protecting both the environment and the good-paying...↓ jobs that support families on the Iron Range.

I'm concerned with the MPCA's wild rice sulfate standard of 10 mg/L. This number is outdated, doesn't reflect current science, and puts thousands of Minnesota jobs at risk. The law required MPCA to update this standard back in 2011, and that still hasn't been done. Enforcing a rule that everyone knows is broken threatens our mines, local governments, small businesses, and the communities we live in.

The 10 mg/L limit is not realistic. Wild rice survival depends on many things—water depth, predators, competing plants—not just sulfate. In fact, wild rice has been shown to grow in waters with sulfate levels much higher than the current standard. Holding mines and wastewater facilities to an unattainable limit wastes time and money, hurts Minnesota workers, and doesn't guarantee better results for wild rice. Until the standard is updated using modern science and site-specific data, sulfate limits should not be included in these permits.

The current Keetac compliance schedule is also unworkable. There is no proven or cost-effective treatment for sulfate anywhere in the world right now. Forcing mines to meet this standard on a short timeline risks lost jobs and higher costs, with no clear environmental benefit. Longer schedules or variances are needed so that real, effective solutions can be developed. Rushing this process will only drive up electricity use, create more waste, and cause other negative environmental impacts.

Another issue is the compliance point. Keetac's discharges all go to the same water body, but the draft permit requires compliance at every outfall. That doesn't make sense. The company asked MPCA to combine compliance points so the measurement actually reflects what's going into the water. That's a reasonable request and should be included in the permit.

Finally, U.S. Steel has submitted site-specific standard requests for Hay Lake, where wild rice has grown for decades despite sulfate levels above 10 mg/L. The science and history clearly show a higher standard is justified, but MPCA hasn't acted on these requests. That needs to change.

In summary, I strongly urge MPCA to:

Refrain from including sulfate limits in Keetac's permits until the standard is updated.

If limits remain, modify the permits to use one downstream compliance point and allow more time for compliance.

Follow the 2011 law and finally update the 10 mg/L sulfate standard.

Minnesota can have both mining jobs and environmental protection, but that requires using up-to-date science and fair rules. Working families shouldn't have to pay the price for an outdated standard.

Union Worker Cory Willeck

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Comment From: Logan Yuretich

9/03/25 @ 4:19 PM

To Whom It May Concern at the MPCA,
As a resident of a community near the Keetac facility, Chisholm, I am deeply concerned about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) approach to sulfate compliance in the draft permits. Requiring compliance...↓

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Comment From: city councilor randy nash (Randy Nash)

9/03/25 @ 4:12 PM

Dear MPCA,

As both a Keewatin City Councilor and a small business owner, I see firsthand how state policies directly affect families, local government, and our community's economic stability. Like many towns in northern Minnesota, Keewatin relies on...↓

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Comment From: Troy Sundbom

9/03/25 @ 4:03 PM

Dear MPCA,

As a member of The Jamar Company, a business who serves Minnesota's industrial sector, I am concerned about the impact of enforcing the outdated 10 mg/L sulfate standard. While this rule directly affects industries like mining and wastewa...↓

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Comment From: Mayor Mike LaBine (Mike LaBine)

9/03/25 @ 4:02 PM

Dear MPCA,

As the Mayor of Keewatin, I represent a community that has long been shaped by mining, local industry, and hardworking families. Our town, like many across northern Minnesota, depends on both the protection of our natural resources and th...↓

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Comment From: Matthew Walto

9/03/25 @ 3:48 PM

Please see attached.

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Comment From: Quintin Rosin

9/03/25 @ 9:38 AM

I am a Member of the Federally Recognized Tribe Bad River. Manoomin(wild rice) as we call it, has always been a sacred food. It's the food that grows on the water. Every known living being on this planet. NEEDS food and water. It only makes sense to ...↓

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Comment From: City of Biwabik (Steve Biondich)

9/03/25 @ 9:36 AM

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/03/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9/3/25.

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Comment From: Sheryl Junemann

9/03/25 @ 12:00 AM

Comment received via email 9/3/25.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/03/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments regarding variance received from multiple senders 9/3/25

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/03/25 @ 12:00 AM

Written comments received at 9/3/25 public meeting.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/03/25 @ 12:00 AM

Written comments submitted at 9/3/25 public meeting.

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Comment From: Sheila Jensen

9/02/25 @ 11:31 PM

Please stop the power grab! Let mines and other businesses do business, provide jobs and make money.

Compliance with the ridiculous sulfate mandate level will bankrupt businesses all over the Iron Range. Please be sensible and revoke that statute.

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Comment From: Matthew Walto

9/02/25 @ 4:43 PM

Please see the attached letter.

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Comment From: Matthew Walto

9/02/25 @ 4:41 PM

Please see the attached letter.

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Comment From: United Steelworkers, District ... (Catherine Drummond)

9/02/25 @ 2:44 PM

Please see attached.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/02/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 9/1/25. Support denial of variance.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/02/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 9/2/25.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

9/01/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 9/1/25. Support denial of variance.

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Comment From: Steve Bonach

9/01/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comment received 9/1/25

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/31/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 8/31/25. Support denial of variance.

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Comment From: Roberta Haskin

8/30/25 @ 9:19 AM

Protect wild rice! Protect clean water! Deny permit.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/30/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 8/30/25. Support denial of variance.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/30/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 8/30/25.

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Comment From: Glacier Park Iron Ore Properti... (Matthew Walto)

8/29/25 @ 7:08 PM

Please see the attached letter.

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Comment From: Austin Dusek

8/29/25 @ 3:33 PM

Hello,

I am Geologist by schooling and have been a mining professional for nearly 10 years. The foundation of all my work is the scientific method. What this is entails is a thorough process to approach a question and try to answer it through verifi...↓able methods,clear data, and interpretation.

The first thing I looked into was the source data for the 10 mg/L limit set in 1973 and what I found was incredibly disappointing. The work that is cited to be the basis of this limit are hardly, if at all, pertinent to evaluation of the effects of sulfates on wild rice. John B. Moyle's widely referenced 1944 report mentions sulfate limits one time and simply states that wild rice is intolerant of sulfates - no large stands over 10 mg/L and largely absent in concentrations over 50 mg/L. These claims are not cited by any previous study nor or they explained by any methodologies done by Moyle. The remaining 98% of the report describes harvesting and grain characteristic, and nothing about sulfate implications. Other Moyle reports (1940, 1941, 1975) are more of the same - field observations with barely or zero information on the effects of sulfates on wild rice. The only paper that I've found that comes close to a credible, scientific paper that could be used as a basis for this 10 mg/L rule is Moyle's 1945 report. While this report offers some data on sulfate concentrations and the occurrence of wild rice within select lakes, the sample size is far too small and the paper is riddled with errors, namely that the wild rice species found in northern Minnesota is Zizania Palustris and the plant referenced in the report is Zizania Aquatica. The latter is a southern rice, found along the gulf coast and the former is not mentioned in the report. Even if we accept that this may be an honest mistake, it, compounded with other inaccuracies, lowers the overall credibility of the report. Additionally, the amount of mg/L that was found in waters to contain wild rice was found up to 282 mg/L and summarized by Moyle to be acceptable up to 300 mg/L.

There is no doubt that a standard for sulfates in wild rice waters should be researched, created, and tested. However, inappropriately applying a standard that is founded on such flawed and borderline irrelevant works is irresponsible and unscientific. The State should refrain from enforcing such a restrictive and unfounded standard until better foundations can be reviewed.

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Comment From: United Steelworkers (Al King)

8/29/25 @ 12:00 AM

Comment letter from United Steelworkers is attached.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/29/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments from multiple senders received 9-29-25.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/29/25 @ 12:00 AM

Emails received from multiple senders on 8/29/25. Support denial of variance.

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Comment From: City of Biwabik (Steve Biondich)

8/29/25 @ 12:00 AM

Comment letter from City of Biwabik

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Comment From: Craig Beveroth

8/28/25 @ 3:39 PM

We're dealing with Minnesota's most valuable resource - clean water. There's no question that sulphates being released by Keetac are detrimental to wild rice growth, but sulphates are also detrimental to local fisheries. It's well established that ...↓

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Comment From: Stephanie Hemphill

8/27/25 @ 11:39 AM

Thank you, MPCA, for enforcing the 50-year-old sulfate standard in wild rice waters! Taconite companies have plenty of capitalization and can afford to obey the law. It's time we stood up to them and insist that they stop polluting Minnesota waters.

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/27/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received 8-27-25.

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Comment From: lawrence black

8/26/25 @ 1:15 PM

I support the MPCA's ruling to deny the variance.

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Comment From: Taylor Anderson

8/25/25 @ 1:08 PM

Please see attached comments on permit reissuance and PD on variance request. Also find attached a critique of the Conditions for the draft permit.

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Comment From: Phillip McDonald

8/25/25 @ 7:30 AM

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/25/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received 8-25-25.

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Comment From: Ben Wolfe

8/23/25 @ 10:02 AM

Everything from the company seems like they truly can care less about the standards...and as the MPCA has already stated, the companies are making a boatload of money and should follow the rules.

As you well know, the Cree proverb goes: "Only after ...↓

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/22/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received from multiple senders on 8-22-25

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/21/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comment received from multiple senders on 8-21-25

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Comment From: Multiple Senders

8/21/25 @ 12:00 AM

Email comments received from multiple senders on 8-21-25

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Comment From: City of Chisholm (Adam Lantz)

8/21/25 @ 12:00 AM

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Comment From: Kraig Raiber

8/20/25 @ 8:39 PM

Please read to understand what is really going on with this proposed sulfate standard and how horribly biased the Star Tribune and other media are, trying to make mining out to be the bad guys! The truth is the water up here is cleaner than anywhere...↓

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