Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Over 250 people attended the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's public meeting. Permits could be issued as soon as April, with the mine aiming to open in June.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will host an informational open house for the mine's air, water and wetlands permits, one of the last regulatory steps for the company.

The agency did not issue a determination on permits at U.S. Steel’s Keetac mine, which is expected in February 2026 ahead of the Legislature convening.

The 401 Water Quality Certification is required when construction-related activities are proposed near a navigable lake, river, stream or adjacent wetland in Minnesota.

Anyone who does winter road maintenance is invited to attend this free certification training on Oct. 8, 2025, at the Cass County Land Department in Backus.

Minnesota's wild rice sulfate standard has been in place since the 1970s but has been lightly enforced. With that changing, Rangers are worried about the potential economic consequences.

Unlined disposal sites would have to close within eight years of the new rules, according to the draft proposal. The agency is accepting comments through Sept. 12, 2025.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has preliminarily decided to issue the permits, and comment is open until Sept. 10, 2025.

Plus: The Minnesota PCA will host an informational meeting on permitting and variance requests from US Steel's Keetac Mine in Virginia on Sept. 3; and Wadena drivers can expect major traffic changes as Highway 10 opens and work starts on Highway 71.

Iron Rangers are concerned about the future of the facility because U.S. Steel estimated an $814 million cost to comply with the state's wild rice sulfate standard.