VIRGINIA — An informational meeting and comment opportunity on the draft wastewater permits and variance request for U.S. Steel's Keetac facilities is set for Wednesday, Sept. 3, at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will host the meeting and share information about the permits, the preliminary determination to deny the sulfate variance request and how to submit a public comment. Staff will also answer attendees' questions and collect oral and written comments.
U.S. Steel requested a discharge variance from the sulfate water quality standard for waters used for the production of wild rice, which the MPCA denied.
U.S. Steel estimated it would need to spend $814 million to comply with the state's standards, which has many worried about the future of Keetac.
Minnesota's 10 mg/L sulfate standard was implemented in 1973 but hasn't been strongly enforced. Wild rice is found primarily in low-sulfate waters, according to the MPCA. "Sulfate is a naturally occurring chemical and can also be found in discharges from mining operations, wastewater treatment plants, and industrial facilities," the MPCA's website states.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation starting at 6 p.m. The question-and-answer session begins at 6:30 p.m., and the oral comment period starts at 7:05 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m.
The meeting will be moderated by a representative from the state Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution, according to MPCA, "to ensure that everybody who attends has an opportunity to have their voices heard."
U.S. Steel will be hosting an open house before the meeting from 4-6 p.m., also at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center.
Comments will be official and accepted as part of the public record, and commenters will be asked to define whether they are commenting on the permit or on the variance.
A large audience is expected, and MPCA is limiting speakers to two minutes, which allows for about 250 words. Commenters must sign up at the door between 5:30 and 6:15 p.m. If more people want to comment than there are available time slots, then commenters will be selected from the sign-up list at random.
Written comments can also be submitted on paper at the meeting or online until Sept. 22.
