The MPCA will host a public informational meeting to discuss the draft wastewater permits and variance request for the U.S. Steel Keetac facility’s mine and tailings basin. Audio from this meeting will be recorded and made available to the public.
The draft industrial wastewater permits and variance request are available for public comment through Sept. 22, 2025.
Meeting purpose
- provide information about:
- the draft Keetac mine and tailings basin permits
- the preliminary determination to deny the sulfate variance request
- how to submit a public comment on either the draft permit or variance request
- provide responses to questions from attendees
- collect oral and written comments
Agenda
- 5:30 p.m. – Doors open
- 6 p.m. – Welcome and presentation from MPCA staff
- 6:30 p.m. - Question and answer session with MPCA staff. Audience members will be invited to ask questions about the permits and the variance request.
- 7:05 p.m. – Oral comments will be accepted during this time. These comments will be official and accepted as part of the public record. Audience members are asked to define whether their comments are on the permit or on the variance.
- 8:30 p.m. – End of meeting
MPCA will try to hear from as many attendees as possible during the oral public comment portion of the meeting. To do so, each speaker will have 2 minutes to provide comment (2 minutes of speaking is about 250 written words). Meeting attendees who wish to provide oral comment are expected to sign up at the door between 5:30-6:15 p.m. If the number of people wishing to speak exceeds the number of 2-minute timeslots, speakers will be selected from the sign up list at random. Oral comments will be recorded and become part of the public record.
Attendees can also submit written comments on the two permits and on the variance via paper forms at the meeting or online until Sept. 22.
Open for public comment
The draft wastewater permits and the preliminary decision to deny the sulfate variance request for the U.S. Steel Keetac facility's mine and tailings basin are now available for public comment.