NorthMet Project Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation

Transcription

1 NorthMet Project Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation Mine Site and Tailings Basin Areas Prepared for PolyMet Mining Inc. March 2010

2 NorthMet Project Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation Mine Site and Tailings Basin Areas Prepared for PolyMet Mining Inc. March West 77 th Street Minneapolis, MN Phone: (952) Fax: (952)

3 NorthMet Project Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation March 2010 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction Methods Data Sources for Off-Site Review Wetland Type Calibration Wetland Type Classification Method Field Review of Wetlands Results Mine Site Area Tailings Basin Area Wetland Descriptions Summary of Wetland Resources References...18 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\NorthMet Project Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation narrative.doc i

4 List of Tables Table 1 Eggers & Reed (1997) Wetland Community Type Classification System... 3 Table 2 Data from Fond du Lac Study Table 3 Mine Site Area - Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Table 4 Mine Site Area Forested Wetland by Dominant Tree Species Table 5 Tailings Basin Area - Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Table 6 Tailings Basin Area Forested Wetland by Dominant Tree Species List of Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Project Location Mine Site Area Wetlands Evaluated Tailings Basin Area Wetlands Evaluated Mine Site Area Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Mine Site Area Dominant Tree Species in Forested Wetlands Mine Site Area USFS Stand Data Tailings Basin Area Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Tailings Basin Area Dominant Tree Species in Forested Wetlands List of Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Draft Plan for PolyMet Baseline Wetland Evaluation Scientific Names of Vegetation Mine Site Area Summary Figures Tailings Basin Area Summary Figures and Tables Eggers and Reed (1997) Wetland Classification Key Mine Site Area Wetland Summary Tailings Basin Area Wetland Summary ii

5 1.0 Introduction The baseline wetland type evaluation was completed as part of the wetland review process for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the PolyMet Mining Inc. (PolyMet) NorthMet Project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) determined there was a need to evaluate and classify wetland types in the areas surrounding the Mine Site and the Tailings Basin with the potential for indirect hydrologic wetland impacts (see Corps Draft Plan, August 4, 2009, Appendix A). The purpose of this report is to provide baseline wetland type evaluation data regarding the classification and acreages of wetlands in areas where the Corps has identified that potential indirect wetland impacts may occur. Information presented in this report includes a description of the methodology and a summary of the wetland types in the two evaluation areas. The information will be used by the Corps during the permitting process to identify possible locations for additional wetland water level monitoring to document potential indirect wetland impacts as a result of the proposed Project. 1

6 2.0 Methods Wetlands were evaluated in two areas: a 20,574-acre area including and surrounding the Mine Site (referred to as the Mine Site Area) and a 12,185-acre area just north and northwest of the Tailings Basin (referred to as the Tailings Basin Area) (Figure 1). A figure outlining the extent of the two evaluation areas was initially provided in the Corps Draft Plan (Appendix A, Ahlness and Eggers 2009) and discussed at the PolyMet Wetland Workgroup (Workgroup) Meeting on September 10, The boundaries for each evaluation area generally follow the St. Louis County section lines and large streams, including portions of the Partridge and Embarrass rivers. For the Mine Site Area, the north boundary was shifted to the southern extent of property owned/managed by the NorthShore Mining Company (Figure 2). For the Tailings Basin area, it was agreed by the Workgroup on September 10, 2009 to relocate the eastern boundary from the east edge to the west edge of Sections 14 (south of the Embarrass River), 23, 26 and 35, Range 14 West, Township 60 North and Section 2, Range 14 West, Township 59 North (Figure 3). Within these five sections (2,916 acres), the wetlands were identified using the National Wetland Inventory (NWI). 2.1 Data Sources for Off-Site Review Wetlands within the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area that were previously field verified or delineated during are identified as delineated/verified wetlands on Figures 2 and 3 (Barr 2006a, Barr 2006b, Barr 2007, Barr 2008a, Barr 2008b, Barr 2009). Wetlands were identified and classified using the Eggers & Reed (1997) community classification system, which classifies the wetlands into 15 different plant communities, which are briefly described in Table 1. All vegetation is identified by common names in this report, with the scientific names provided in Appendix B. Wetlands within the two areas that had not been previously delineated between 2004 and 2009 by Barr were identified and classified using several sources of information, including: Farm Services Administration (FSA) true color aerial photographs from 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008 and FSA color infrared (CIR) aerial photographs from United States Fish and Wildlife Service NWI maps. 2

7 Table 1 Eggers & Reed (1997) Wetland Community Type Classification System Wetland Type Water Depth Soils Common Vegetation Shallow, open < 6 deep; permanently inundated Lacustrine deposits Pondweed, duckweed, coontail, water milfoil, water lily water and sediments Deep marsh 6 to > 3 deep; permanently to semipermanently inundated Lacustrine deposits Cattail, reed, bulrush, pickerelweed, giant bur-reed, Phragmites, spikerush, wild rice, pondweed, naiad, coontail, watermilfoil, waterweed, duckweed, water lily, spatterdock Shallow marsh Saturated soils to < 6 deep; waterlogged early in growing season Mucky or mineral Grass, bulrush, spikerush, cattail, bulrush, arrowhead, lake sedge, pickerelweed, smartweed Sedge meadow Saturated soils Muck or peat Sedge dominant; spike rush, bulrush, nut grass, grass, true rush, forbs Fresh (wet) meadow Saturated soils Mineral or organic Grass and forbs dominant; redtop, reed grass, manna grass, prairie cordgrass, mint Wet to wetmesic prairie High groundwater table <12 during portion of growing season Mineral Native grass and forbs dominant; prairie cordgrass, big bluestem, aster, culver s root, dock, sunflower Calcareous fen Upwelling, calcareous, groundwater discharge Organic alkaline Calciphiles dominant; shrubby cinquefoil, sterile sedge, wild timothy, beaked spike rush, Ohio goldenrod, common valerian, lesser fringed gentian Open bog Saturated Organic acid Continuous sphagnum moss mat present; scattered immature (dbh < 6 in) black spruce or tamarack, ericaceous shrubs, sedges, and forbs, such as pitcher plants Coniferous bog Saturated Organic acid Continuous sphagnum moss mat present; mature (dbh > 6 in) black spruce or tamarack, ericaceous shrubs, sedges, and forbs such as pitcher plants Shrub-carr Saturated to seasonally flooded Organic Woody vegetation < 20 ft high and dbh < 6 in dominated by willows and/or dogwood with various sedges, grasses, and forbs Alder thicket Saturated to seasonally flooded Organic or alluvial Woody vegetation < 20 ft high and dbh < 6 in dominated by speckled alder with various sedges, grasses, and forbs Hardwood swamp Coniferous swamp Floodplain forest Seasonally flooded basin Saturated to < 12 deep during most of growing season Saturated to < 12 deep during most of growing season Some-what well drained during growing season flood inundation Poorly drained; inundated for a few weeks during the growing season Organic alkaline Organic ranging from acid to alkaline Alluvial Mineral Continuous sphagnum moss mat absent; black ash, red maple, yellow birch, silver maple, aspen, American elm, dogwood, alder, and various sedges, grasses, and forbs Continuous sphagnum moss mat absent; northern white cedar, tamarack, balsam fir, birch, black ash, alder, and various sedges, grasses, and forbs Maple, ash, birch, cottonwood, elm, willow, jewelweed, nettle Smartweed, beggartick, nut-grass, wild millet, annual species 3

8 Superior National Forest United States Forest Service (USFS) stand data GIS shapefile obtained from the USFS on September 29, 2009 with data only available for the Mine Site Area. USFS Ecological Landtype soils data (where available). Natural Resources Conservation Service soils data for St. Louis County (where available). United States Geological Survey topographic maps and digital elevation models. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) 2005 CIR photography stereo pairs with 60 percent overlap. Additional GIS information available for the analysis included habitat data compiled for the Mine Site and surrounding area (AECOM 2009, ENSR 2004), locations of wetland hydrology monitoring wells (Barr in progress, Barr 2006c - RS 44), watershed boundaries (MnDNR Data Deli) and streams (MnDNR Data Deli). The figures in Appendices C and D show existing data for habitat surveys, wetland hydrology monitoring well locations, watershed boundaries and stream locations for the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area, respectively. 2.2 Wetland Type Calibration The MnDNR 2005 CIR photography stereo pairs were viewed through a stereoscope to assist with wetland identification and classification and determination of dominant tree species present within forested wetlands. The initial determination of tree species was completed using information from the field studies conducted in the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area between 2004 and 2009 including wetland delineations, habitat surveys and botanical surveys. The site-specific information was used to calibrate (or verify) the tree species signatures observed on the stereo pairs. Field data for the calibration was obtained from sources including: Habitat surveys conducted at the Mine Site (ENSR 2004). Geomorphology survey conducted in the Partridge River (Barr 2005). Biological surveys conducted in the Partridge River (Breneman 2004, Heath 2004). Wetland delineation fieldwork conducted at the Mine Site from (Barr 2006b, Barr 2007) using established methods according to the Routine On-Site Determination Method specified in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual (1987 Corps Manual). 4

9 Agency site visit in August 2004 to discuss the site and development plans and review wetlands in the central portion of the site. Agencies present at the meeting included the Corps, MnDNR Land and Minerals, MnDNR Ecological Resources, St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District and the U.S. Forest Service. Agency site visit in June 2005 to tour the plant areas, Tailings Basin, shops area, railroad areas and wetlands. Discussed the delineation methodology. Agencies present at the meeting included the Corps, MnDNR Environmental Review, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The wetland delineation was approved by the Corps and MnDNR in Fieldwork to delineate wetlands along the Dunka Road from the Mine Site to the Tailings Basin (2007a). Field surveys for Botrychium rugulosum at the Mine Site in Autumn 2007 (Barr 2007b). Fieldwork to delineate wetlands north and east of the Tailings Basin (2008a, 2008b). Habitat surveys conducted in areas west, north and east of the Mine Site (AECOM 2008). Threatened and endangered species survey conducted in areas adjacent to the Mine Site in (AECOM 2008, Barr 2008c). TB-12 Pipeline Route Analysis for Tailings Basin Alternative (Barr 2009a, Barr 2009b). Wetland hydrology monitoring fieldwork conducted between 2005 and 2009 (Barr 2006c, Barr 2010). Other field work conducted for PolyMet during provided verbal comments and observations about general habitat and site characteristics around the Mine Site and Tailings Basin. Wetlands were classified using the Eggers and Reed classification key (Appendix E) to verify that each wetland met the criteria set forth in the classification key. To supplement the information in the Eggers and Reed classification key, the MnDNR Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003) was also reviewed. The information obtained for known wetland polygons was used to evaluate wetlands in the areas where no field verification had been conducted. Using the calibrated areas (known wetland polygons), tree species and dominant wetland types were determined for the remainder of the previously-unevaluated portions of the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area (as described in Section 2.3). Wetland 5

10 polygons were digitized using ArcView 9.3 and the areal extent of each dominant wetland type was determined. Each wetland polygon was classified by the dominant Eggers & Reed wetland type and categorized by the dominant tree species (for forested wetlands). While wetlands were digitized and classified by the dominant wetland type and tree species, some polygons, especially the larger wetland complexes, may contain small pockets of other wetland types and tree species. 2.3 Wetland Type Classification Method The methodology used to evaluate wetlands was developed based on the Eggers and Reed (1997) classification key. Each step in this wetland type evaluation required asking specific questions and providing answers based on using the previously collected field data, aerial photographs (stereo pairs, FSA aerial photography, etc.), and the off-site and on-site information described above. Only areas that were identified as wetland were evaluated for this study. Data points were completed in uplands as part of the routine delineations conducted at the site using the Routine On-Site Determination Method specified in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual (U.S. Army Corps 1987). Sources of data included NWI maps, previous delineations and field studies conducted in the areas, review of the stereo pairs, etc. The aerial photography was reviewed using a stereoscope and GIS to determine if forested wetlands were present in an area. Under the stereoscope, trees have a distinct texture compared with shrubs (alder, willow, dogwood, etc.) and herbaceous (grass, reeds, sedges, etc.) vegetation. Within the areas identified as shrub vegetation, it was not possible to differentiate between alder thickets and shrubcarr communities using the aerial photograph review. Therefore, unless these areas were field verified, they were classified in this study as shrub swamps, which included alder thickets and shrubcarr communities. Areas with herbaceous vegetation were reviewed for the presence of open water areas. Large open water areas were classified as open water communities and included shallow, open water lakes such as Mud Lake. Smaller open water areas were classified as either shallow marsh or deep marsh communities depending on the aerial extent of the open water area. Within the areas identified as forested wetlands, it was determined whether the area was dominated by coniferous or deciduous trees. In general, these two groups of trees are relatively easy to distinguish using a stereoscope. The conifers are conical shaped trees with a narrow crown while deciduous trees are generally oval or round shaped with a wide crown. Forested wetland areas with deciduous trees were classified as hardwood swamps. 6

11 Within the areas identified as forested wetlands with coniferous trees, the type(s) of tree species present in the area was determined. The dominant tree species observed included black spruce and tamarack; balsam fir and cedar were also present in some areas. There were some stands that were dominated by tamarack, although it was generally either co-dominant with black spruce or was only a minor component along with black spruce. While the black spruce and tamarack were visible by texture and color using the stereoscope, the cedar was less visible. Based on fieldwork, the cedar is generally found as small stands mixed with balsam fir, black spruce or tamarack and the cedar stands were often located within large black spruce or black spruce/tamarack stands. Because the USFS owns the surface rights for much of the Mine Site Area, stand data was available that identified the presence of cedar. Using the USFS stand data, habitat data (AECOM 2008) and other field verified data (described previously), the following assumptions were made about the use of cedar data in this report: Cedar was considered the dominant tree species for all locations within the Mine Site Area where the USFS stand data indicated that cedar was present Cedar was considered the dominant tree species in all areas outside of the USFS stand data where cedar was field verified Because large stands of pure cedar are not common within the two areas, these assumptions likely over-estimated the presence (dominance) of cedar within the Mine Site Area and the Tailings Basin Area. Typically, other species such as black spruce and tamarack are either dominant or codominant with cedar in these areas, with other species 1 present including balsam fir and alder (see Photograph 1). The small size of some of the areas where cedar may be present, coupled with the co-occurrence of other species, makes it very difficult to identify these areas on aerial photographs, with or without the use of a stereoscope. Therefore, it is 1 possible that there are additional small areas where cedar is present within the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area that were not identified in this baseline wetland evaluation. Areas identified as forested wetlands dominated by cedar were classified as coniferous swamps 1. 1 The exception to this statement is where the USFS stand data polygons overlapped areas identified as other non-forested wetland types, as upland areas or field-verified that no cedar was present. 7

12 Within areas identified as forested wetlands dominated by the mature black spruce and/or tamarack, it was determined if the area was a coniferous swamp or bog. Eggers and Reed (1997) defines a coniferous swamp as northern white cedar and/or tamarack are dominant; continuous sphagnum moss mat absent; usually growing on neutral to alkaline peat/muck soils. As shown in the Photograph 2, this coniferous swamp is dominated by black spruce and tamarack. The ground cover included grasses and forbs and a discontinuous sphagnum moss mat, as shown in Photograph 3. The organic soils are saturated to the surface in this area. This wetland is located on the eastern edge of a small stand of cedar in the Mine Site Area. 2 Within areas identified as forested wetlands dominated by mature coniferous tree species, which were either tamarack or black spruce, it was determined if the area was a coniferous swamp or bog. Eggers and Reed (1997) defines a 3 coniferous bog as tamarack and/or black spruce are dominant; growing on a continuous sphagnum 3 moss mat and acid, peat soils. As shown in Photograph 4, this coniferous bog is dominated by black spruce with some tamarack present. Ericaceous shrubs dominated the shrub layer. The ground is covered by a dense mostly continuous sphagnum moss mat as shown in Photograph 5. The sphagnum moss was absent in the open hollows scattered throughout the wetland. The organic soils are saturated to the surface in this area. This wetland is part of a large coniferous bog in the Mine Site Area. Within areas identified as forested wetlands dominated by immature coniferous tree species, which were either tamarack or black spruce, it was determined that the area was an open bog. Eggers and Reed (1997) defines an open bog as Mature trees are absent or, if present, form open, sparse stands; other woody plants, if present, are shrubs or saplings and pole-size trees (dbh less than 6 inches) less than 20 feet high and shrubs are ericaceous and evergreen growing on a sphagnum moss mat layer; peat soils are acidic. These wetland areas were identified using field data from Hundred Mile Swamp where there are large areas of open bog for calibration of the stereo pair photographs. 5 4 The lack of sphagnum cover in coniferous swamps was also documented during field studies conducted for the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation (2009) in St. Louis and Carlton Counties, 2 8

13 Minnesota. Sampling plot data provided vegetation, ph and soil data for wetlands that were identified using the Eggers and Reed (1997) community classification system (Table 2). Wetlands identified as alder thickets, hardwood swamps (black ash swamps), rich fens, sedge meadows, shrub carr and coniferous swamps (white cedar swamps) had a mean sphagnum moss cover ranging from 0 to 23 percent and ph ranging from 6.7 to 5.0, with tree species including black ash, northern white cedar, balsam fir and paper birch. Tamarack swamps had a mean sphagnum cover ranging from 22 to 54 percent and a ph of 4.2, with tree species including tamarack and paper birch. Wetlands identified as coniferous bogs and open bogs had a mean sphagnum moss cover of 83 to 98 percent with ph ranging from 4.2 to 3.4, with tree species including black spruce and tamarack. 2.4 Field Review of Wetlands Upon completion of the initial off-site wetland determinations, there were locations in the two evaluation areas where the available information was insufficient to determine the presence of wetlands, wetland types, or the dominant tree species present. In these locations, field reviews were conducted in late-october and mid-november to identify the presence, extent and classification of the wetlands. In addition, field verification of a portion of the off-site wetland determinations was conducted to verify wetland types. Upon completion of the field review, wetland polygons were updated using ArcView

14 Table 2 Data from Fond du Lac Study Community Type Site ph Sphagnum Moss Cover (%) Trees Shrubs Forested bog tamarack bog labrador tea, leatherleaf, tamarack Forested bog black spruce bog labrador tea, leatherleaf, black spruce Forested bog black spruce leatherleaf, black spruce, bog labrador tea Open bog none none Open bog none none Open bog none leatherleaf Open bog none black spruce, peachleaf willow, bog labrador tea, leatherleaf Shrub bog none leatherleaf, speckled alder, willow sp., jack pine, bog birch, paper birch Shrub bog none black spruce, bog labrador tea Shrub bog none bog birch, leatherleaf, white meadowsweet, tamarack speckled alder, sandbar willow Tamarack swamp tamarack, paper birch speckled alder, red maple, Bebb willow, slender willow, bog labrador tea, redosier dogwood Tamarack swamp tamarack, paper birch white meadowsweet, willow sp., tamarack, leatherleaf, dogwood Alder thicket none speckled alder, redosier dogwood Alder thicket black ash speckled alder, black ash, balsam fir, mountain maple, redosier dogwood, beaked hazelnut Black ash swamp black ash black raspberry, gooseberry Black ash swamp black ash speckled alder, serviceberry, red raspberry, black ash Black ash swamp black ash red raspberry Black ash swamp none common winterberry, black ash Rich fen / Floating sedge meadow none Bebb willow, sandbar willow, leatherleaf Sedge meadow none white meadowsweet, willow, gooseberry Shrub carr none pussy willow, white meadowsweet, Bebb willow Shrub carr none willow sp. White cedar swamp northern white cedar, balsam fir none northern white White cedar swamp White cedar swamp White cedar swamp cedar, paper birch northern white cedar, paper birch northern white cedar, paper birch none speckled alder, redosier dogwood, cranberry, hazelnut, red raspberry reed maple, redosier dogwood 10

15 3.0 Results 3.1 Mine Site Area Approximately 10,075 acres of wetland have been identified within the 20,574-acre Mine Site Area (49 percent of the area). The wetlands are identified on Figure 4 using the Eggers & Reed community classification system. Table 3 summarizes the acreages and percent of wetland area represented by each Eggers & Reed wetland community type. Table 3 Mine Site Area - Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Total Acres 1 % of Wetland Area Coniferous bog 4, Coniferous swamp 1, Deep marsh Hardwood swamp Open bog Open water (includes shallow, open water and lakes) Sedge/wet meadow Shallow marsh Shrub swamp (includes alder thicket and shrub-carr) 2, Total acres of wetland 10,075 1 Total acres have been rounded to the nearest acre. Coniferous bogs are the most dominant wetland type and represent approximately 47 percent of the wetland area. Shrub swamps, including both alder thickets and shrub-carrs, are the second most dominant wetland type and represent approximately 28 percent of the wetland area. Coniferous swamps are the third most dominant wetland type and represent approximately 16 percent of the wetland area at the Mine Site Area. The remaining wetland types include: open bog (2.8 percent), shallow marsh (2.5 percent), deep marsh (1.6 percent), open water (0.8 percent; includes both shallow, open water and lakes), sedge and wet meadows (0.5 percent) and hardwood swamps (0.2 percent). Forested wetland community types include coniferous bog, coniferous swamp and hardwood swamp. The forested wetlands comprise approximately 64 percent of the wetlands within the Mine Site Area (Table 3). Figure 5 shows the forested wetlands represented by the dominant tree species present in the wetland. Table 4 summarizes the areal extent (acres) of each dominant tree species. 11

16 Table 4 Mine Site Area Forested Wetland by Dominant Tree Species Dominant Tree Species Total Acres 1 % of Area Cedar Hardwoods Spruce 1, Spruce/Tamarack 4, Tamarack Total acres 6,459 1 Note: the total acres identified here is greater than the total acres of forested wetland identified in Table 3 (6,418 acres including coniferous bogs, coniferous swamps and hardwood swamps). The USFS stand data polygons overlapped areas identified as non-forested wetland types, as upland areas or areas field-verified that cedar was not present for this baseline wetland evaluation. Total acres have been rounded to the nearest acre. Approximately 67 percent of the forested wetlands found within the Mine Site Area are dominated by a combination of black spruce and tamarack (Table 4). Approximately 18 percent of the forested wetlands are dominated by black spruce and about 4 percent of the wetland areas are dominated by tamarack. Northern white cedar is present in approximately 11 percent of the forested wetlands within the Mine Site Area. Within these areas, cedar typically occurs with other tree species such as tamarack and black spruce. Hardwood swamps represent a minor component (0.3 percent) of the forested wetlands present within the Mine Site Area. These hardwood swamps are dominated by quaking aspen and paper birch, with black ash representing a minor component of the these communities. Figure 6 shows the USFS stand data for the Mine Site Area. The USFS stand data indicates that black spruce and jack pine are the most dominant tree species present within the Mine Site Area (see Figure 6: Lowland Conifer A-JPBS-DMRWP (Jack Pine/Black Spruce and Dry-Mesic Red and White Pine and Jack Pine-Black Spruce )). The USFS stand data primarily identified the presence of cedar in the northwestern portion of the Mine Site Area, with a small pocket of cedar also identified in the southeastern corner of the Mine Site Area (Figure 6). In addition to the 496 acres within the Mine Site Area where the USFS documented cedar, this baseline wetland evaluation identified an additional 224 acres within the Mine Site Area where cedar is present (Figure 5). Cumulatively this represents less than 4 percent of the entire Mine Site Area. As mentioned above, it is possible that there are additional small pockets of cedar present within the Mine Site Area, and extending beyond the limits of the USFS land, that were not identified in this wetland evaluation due to their small size and the presence of other dominant or co-dominant species. 12

17 3.2 Tailings Basin Area Approximately 6,595 acres of wetland were identified within the 12,185-acre Tailings Basin Area (54 percent of the area). The wetlands are identified on Figure 7 using the Eggers & Reed wetland community type classifications. Table 5 summarizes the acreages and percent of wetland area represented by each Eggers & Reed wetland type. Table 5 Tailings Basin Area - Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Total Acres 1 % of Wetland Area Coniferous bog 1, Coniferous swamp 1, Deep marsh Hardwood swamp Open bog 0 0 Open water (includes shallow, open water and lakes) Sedge/wet meadow Shallow marsh Shrub swamp (includes alder thicket and shrub-carr) 2, Total acres of wetland 6,595 1 Total acres have been rounded to the nearest acre. Shrub swamps, including both alder thickets and shrub-carrs, are the most dominant wetland type within the Tailings Basin Area and represent approximately 38 percent of the wetland area. Coniferous bogs are the second most dominant wetland type within the Tailings Basin Area and represent approximately 25 percent of the wetland area (Table 5). Coniferous swamps are the third most dominant wetland type and represent approximately 23 percent of the wetland area. The remaining wetland types include: deep marsh (6.0 percent), open water (2.6 percent; includes both shallow, open water and lakes), shallow marsh (2.6 percent) and sedge and wet meadows (2.0 percent). Forested wetlands make up approximately 48 percent of the wetland area within the Tailings Basin Area (Table 5). Figure 8 shows wetlands represented by the dominant tree species present in the wetland. Table 6 summarizes the areal extent (acres) of each dominant tree species. Nearly 88 percent of the forested wetlands present within the Tailings Basin Area are dominated by a combination of black spruce and tamarack (Table 6). Approximately 5 percent of the forest wetlands are dominated by tamarack and approximately 4 percent of the forested wetlands are dominated by black spruce. Hardwood swamps and coniferous swamps dominated by cedar represent only a minor 13

18 Table 6 Tailings Basin Area Forested Wetland by Dominant Tree Species Dominant Tree Species Total Acres 1 % of Area Cedar Hardwoods Spruce Spruce/Tamarack 2, Tamarack Total acres 3,192 1 Total acres have been rounded to the nearest acre. component of the forested wetlands present within the Tailings Basin Area. Hardwood swamps, which represent approximately 1.3 percent of the wetland area in the Tailings Basin Area, are dominated by quaking aspen and paper birch, with black ash representing a minor component of the these communities. Cedar is present within approximately 1.6 percent of the wetland area; however, cedar is typically co-dominant with black spruce. As mentioned above, it is possible that there are additional small pockets of cedar present within the Tailings Basin Area that were not identified in this wetland evaluation due to their small size and the presence of other dominant or co-dominant species. East of Tailings Basin Area Approximately 774 acres of wetland were identified using the NWI within the 2,916-acre area that includes: Sections 14 (south of the Embarrass River), 23, 26 and 35, Range 14 West, Township 60 North; and Section 2, Range 14 West, Township 59 North (Figure 3). The NWI wetlands in this area are summarized according to Cowardin wetland types (Cowardin et al. 1979) as shown in Appendix G. According to the NWI, over 99 percent of wetlands within this area are dominated by forested wetlands and shrub swamps (Appendix G). 3.3 Wetland Descriptions Coniferous Bogs and Open Bogs Coniferous bogs are the dominant wetland type present within the Mine Site Area and the second most dominant wetland type within the Tailings Basin Area. Open bogs represent a small component of the Mine Site Area wetlands (2.8 percent) and this wetland type is not present at the Tailings Basin Area. Coniferous bogs generally have a tree cover greater than 50 percent, which is typically dominated by black spruce and/or tamarack. Forested wetlands that are dominated by dense cover of mature black spruce and tamarack are classified as coniferous bogs in the Eggers and Reed (1997) classification system as described previously. Occasionally, there are areas with balsam fir, jack pine 14

19 and northern white cedar present within the large coniferous bog complexes (see cedar polygons on Figures 5 and 8). Open bogs do not support a dense tree cover and typically, just a scattering of immature black spruce and/or tamarack are present. The shrublayer and groundlayer of coniferous bogs and open bogs are similar in composition. The shrublayer is typically dominated by ericaceous shrubs such as leatherleaf, Labrador tea, and cranberry. The groundlayer commonly includes a continuous sphagnum moss mat with various sedges and herbaceous vegetation also present. Northern pitcher plants are abundant in the large bog areas that surround Mud Lake. Soils in the coniferous bogs and open bogs generally consist of fibric peat that is usually saturated to the surface throughout much of the growing season. Coniferous Swamps Coniferous swamps within the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area are dominated by black spruce and/or tamarack, with balsam fir and northern white cedar present in some areas (Figures 5 and 8 identify areas where cedar is present). Deciduous tree species, such as aspen, birch and on a few occasions, black ash, are also present in some areas. The shrub layer is typically dominated by alder and willows. The groundlayer commonly includes Canada bluejoint grass, sedges, bunchberry, wild sarsaparilla and starflower. Sphagnum mosses are also present in the groundlayer; however a continuous sphagnum mat is usually absent. Soils in the coniferous swamps are generally organic and are usually saturated to the surface throughout much of the growing season. Hardwood Swamps Hardwood swamps are present but not abundant in the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area. The hardwood swamps that are present are dominated by aspen and birch, with a few small pockets of black ash occasionally present. Coniferous trees, such as balsam fir, black spruce and northern white cedar are occasionally present in these hardwood swamps (Figures 5 and 8 identify areas where cedar is present). The shrublayer is generally dominated by alder and young trees. The groundlayer species present include Canada bluejoint grass, sedges and ferns. Sphagnum mosses are also present but generally do not form a continuous mat. Soils in the hardwood swamps can be organic or mineral and are usually saturated throughout much of the growing season. 15

20 Shrub Swamps Shrub swamps, which include both alder thickets and shrub-carrs, represent the most dominant wetland type within the Tailings Basin Area and the second most dominant wetland type within the Mine Site Area. These shrub swamps are dominated by either alder or willows, with some dogwoods also present. The groundlayer is dominated by Canada bluejoint grass and sedges, with woolgrass, rushes and ferns also present. Sphagnum mosses may be present but do not typically form a continuous mat within these shrub swamps. Soils in the shrub swamps are usually fibric and hemic peat at the surface underlain by bedrock or mineral soil. Shallow and Deep Marshes Although shallow and deep marshes are present within both the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area, they represent a relatively small percentage of the wetland area. These wetlands are dominated by cattails, with sedges and Canada bluejoint grass also present. Soils in the shallow and deep marshes are typically organic at the surface and underlain by mineral soils. The shallow marshes present at the two evaluation areas are typically inundated with up to six inches of water throughout the entire growing season, while the deep marshes present at the sites are inundated with over six inches of water throughout the entire growing season. These wetlands are often associated with disturbances, such as beaver activity. Sedge Meadows and Wet Meadows Sedge meadow and wet meadow communities are present within both the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area but represent a very small proportion of the total wetland area within each evaluation area. These wetlands are dominated by sedges, Canada bluejoint grass, woolgrass, manna grass and bulrushes. Soils in the sedge meadow and wet meadow wetlands are typically organic at the surface underlain by mineral soils. These wetlands are generally saturated close to the ground surface or have shallow inundation for prolonged periods during the growing season. 3.4 Summary of Wetland Resources A total of 419 wetlands covering 10,075 acres were identified in the Mine Site Area and 217 wetlands covering 6,595 acres were identified in the Tailings Basin Area. Appendix F and Appendix 16

21 G summarize the wetland resources within the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area, respectively. Wetlands across the two areas consist of large wetland complexes, with forested wetlands dominated by black spruce and tamarack representing the most prominent wetland community within each area. Both black spruce and tamarack can persist in the ombrotrophic (deriving its water supply and nutrients from rainfall) conditions of bogs (MnDNR 2003). While cedar is present within the Mine Site Area and Tailings Basin Area, it is a minor component of the forested wetlands present within the two evaluation areas. 17

22 4.0 References AECOM U.S. Forest Service Exchange Parcel/NorthMet Mine Summer Wildlife Assessment Final Report. Report prepared for PolyMet Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, Redmond, Washington. Ahlness, J. and S. Eggers Polymet project baseline wetland type evaluation for areas outside of the delineated wetland areas. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul. August 4. Barr Engineering Company Partridge River Level 1 Rosgen Geomorphic Survey. RS26, December. Barr Engineering Company. 2006a. Wetland Delineation and Wetland Functional Assessment Report. Prepared for PolyMet Mining, Inc. Barr Engineering Company. 2006b. Wetland Delineation and Wetland Function Assessment. RS14, Draft-02, November 20. Barr Engineering Company. 2006c. Wetland Hydrology Study. RS44. November20. Barr Engineering Company (Barr). 2007a. Supplemental Information to the Wetland Delineation Report EIS Report/Study RS-14. Addendum 01. September. Barr Engineering Company (Barr). 2007b. Results of Autumn 2007 Field Surveys for Botrychium rugulosum at PolyMet Mine Site. Technical Memo from Daniel W. Jones (Barr Engineering) to Rich Baker (MnDNR Natural Heritage and Non-game Research Program). November 7. Barr Engineering Company. 2008a. Lined Tailings Basin Alternative EIS Data Request. Technical Memorandum from Gregg Williams at Barr Engineering Company PolyMet Project File, Project No. 23/ April 8. Barr Engineering Company. 2008b. Memorandum: Wetland Impacts Tailings Basin Mitigation Alternative. Submitted to USACE and MnDNR. Revised June 2, Barr Engineering Company. 2008c Field Surveys for Threatened and Endangered Botanical Species in Areas Adjacent to the Mine Site. Unpublished data. Barr Engineering Company. 2009a. Memorandum: TB-12 Pipeline Route Habitat/Wetland Analysis for Tailings Basin Alternative. Memo from Cheryl Feigum, Barr, to Stuart Arkley, MnDNR and Dave Blaha, ERM. June 27. Barr Engineering Company. 2009b. Memorandum: TB-12 Pipeline Route Habitat/Wetland Analysis for Tailings Basin Alternative. Memo from Cheryl Feigum, Barr, to Stuart Arkley, MnDNR and Dave Blaha, ERM. June 27. Barr Engineering Company (in progress). Wetland Hydrology Study, Breneman, D Stream and Wetland Biological Survey. Proposed NorthMet Mining Project, Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota, Prepared for PolyMet Mining Corporation. NRRI Technical Report Number NRRI/TR-2005/05. February. 18

23 Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, R.T. LaRoe Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, FWS/OBS079/31, 103 pp. Eggers, S.D. and D.M. Reed Wetland Plants and Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin: Second Edition. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District. 263 pp. ENSR International NorthMet Mine Summer Fish and Wildlife Study. Prepared for PolyMet Mining, Inc. Fond du Lac Indian Reservation, Resource Management Divison Environmental Program Comprehensive Wetland Assessment and Monitoring Plan Final Report. U.S. EPA Reference Number: BG September. Heath, D.J Results of a October 2004 Freshwater Mussel (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) Survey in Trimble Creek, Partridge and Embarrass Rivers Near the Proposed NorthMet Mine Project, Northeastern Minnesota. Prepared for Barr Engineering Company, Minneapolis, MN. December. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. St. Paul. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Laboratory. (1987). Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Technical Report Y U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS 19

24 Figures

25 26 21 Barr Footer: Date: 1/20/2010 9:22:38 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 1 Project Location.mxd User: arm2 135 STUDY AREA MINNESOTA Tailings Basin Area 666 Mine Site Area Mine Site Mine Site and Tailings Basin Areas National Forest Boundary Lakes Streams Miles Figure 1 PROJECT LOCATION NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

26 Ridge Cre ek Spring Min e Creek Northshore Mine Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 3:11:47 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 2 Mine Site Area Wetlands Evaluated.mxd User: arm2 Wyman Creek Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek Dunka Road Partridge River Yelp Creek Partridg e River Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River Dunka River Imagery Source: FSA, Mine Site Area Mine Site Wetlands Delineated/Verified Wetlands Streams Dunka Road 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Figure 2 MINE SITE AREA - WETLANDS EVALUATED NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

27 Camp Eight Creek Sec. 16 Sec. 15 Sec Sec. 13 Sec. 18 Sec. 17 Sec. 16 Sec Sec. 14 Sec. 13 Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 4:53:07 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 3 Tailings Basin Area Wetlands Evaluated.mxd User: arm2 T59R15 Sec. 5 T59R15 Sec. 8 Sec. 21 Sec Sec. 33 T59R15 Sec. 4 T59R15 Sec Sec Sec. 27 Sec. 34 T59R15 Sec. 3 T59R15 Sec Sec Sec. 26 Sec. 35 T59R15 Sec T59R15 Sec. 11 Embarrass River Sec. 24 Sec. 25 Sec. 36 T59R15 Sec. 1 T59R15 Sec. 12 Sec. 19 Sec. 30 Sec. 31 T59R14 Sec. 6 T59R14 Sec Sec. 20 Sec. 29 Trimble Creek Sec. 32 T59R14 Sec. 5 T59R14 Sec Sec. 21 Sec. 28 Sec. 33 T59R14 Sec. 4 Tailings Basin T59R14 Sec Sec. 22 Sec. 27 Sec. 34 T59R14 Sec. 3 T59R14 Sec. 10 Sec Sec. 26 Sec. 35 T59R14 Sec. 2 Spring M ine Creek Sec. 24 Sec. 25 Sec. 36 T59R14 Sec. 1 T59R14 T59R14 Sec. 11 Sec. 12 Imagery Source: FSA, Spring Mine Creek Tailings Basin Area Section Lines Streams Wetlands Delineated/Verified Wetlands NWI Wetlands I 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Figure 3 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - WETLANDS EVALUATED NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

28 Barr Footer: Date: 3/12/2010 7:58:00 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 4 Mine Site Area Eggers and Reed Wetland Types.mxd User: jlb4 Wyman Creek Spring Mine Creek Ridge Cre ek Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek Dunka Road Partridge River Northshore Mine Yelp Creek Partridg e River Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River Dunka River Imagery Source: FSA, Mine Site Area Mine Site Streams Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Shrub Swamps (Alder thickets & Shrub-carrs) Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Deep marsh; Shallow marsh Hardwood swamp Open water (Shallow, open water & lakes) Open bog Sedge meadow; Wet meadow I 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Figure 4 MINE SITE AREA - EGGERS & REED WETLAND TYPES NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

29 Barr Footer: Date: 3/12/2010 8:07:47 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 5 Mine Site Area Dominant Tree Species in Forested Wetland.mxd User: jlb4 Spring Mine Creek Wyman Creek Spring Mine Creek Ridge Cre ek Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek Dunka Road Partridge River Northshore Mine Yelp Creek Partridg e River Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River Dunka River Imagery Source: FSA, Mine Site Mine Site Area Wetlands Streams Dunka Road Dominant Tree Types Cedar with other species (includes USFS cedar data) Hardwoods (with some conifers) Spruce/tamarack Spruce Tamarack None I 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Figure 5 MINE SITE AREA - DOMINANT TREE SPECIES IN FORESTED WETLANDS NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

30 Ridge Cre ek Spring Mine Creek Northshore Mine Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 2:58:51 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 6 Mine Site Area USFS Stand Data.mxd User: arm2 Spring Mine Creek Wyman Creek Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek Dunka Road Partridge River Yelp Creek Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River Dunka River Imagery Source: FSA, Mine Site Area Mine Site Streams Wetlands Boundary of USFS Stand Data USFS Stand Data Cedar Jack Pine-Black Spruce Lowland Conifer A-JPBS-DMRWP Lowland Hardwood Lowland Non-Forest Upland Non-Forest 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Figure 6 MINE SITE AREA - USFS STAND DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

31 Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 4:46:24 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 7 Tailings Basin Area Eggers and Reed Wetland Types.mxd User: arm Embarrass River 358 Tailings Basin Trimble Creek Camp Eight Creek Spring M ine Creek Spring Mine Creek Imagery Source: FSA, Tailings Basin Area Section Lines Streams NWI Wetlands* Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Shrub swamps (Alder thickets, Shrub-carrs) Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Deep marsh; Shallow marsh Hardwood swamp Open water (Shallow, open water & lakes) Open bog Sedge meadow; Wet meadow I 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Figure 7 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - EGGERS & REED WETLAND TYPES NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

32 Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 4:47:02 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure 8 Tailings Basin Area Dominant Tree Species in Forested Wetland.mxd User: arm Embarrass River 360 Trimble Creek 358 Camp Eight Creek Tailings Basin Spring M ine Creek Spring Mine Creek Imagery Source: FSA, Tailings Basin Area Section Lines Streams Wetlands NWI Wetlands Dominant Tree Types Cedar with other species (includes USFS cedar data) Hardwoods (with some conifers) Spruce/tamarack Spruce Tamarack None I 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Figure 8 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - DOMINANT TREE SPECIES IN FORESTED WETLANDS NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

33 Appendices

34 Appendix A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Draft Plan for PolyMet Baseline Wetland Evaluation, dated August 14, 2009

35 DRAFT PLAN POLYMET PROJECT BASELINE WETLAND TYPE EVALUATION FOR AREAS OUTSIDE OF THE DELINEATED WETLAND AREAS Background Prepared by Jon Ahlness and Steve Eggers, USACE The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) are preparing a joint federal-state environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed PolyMet project near Hoyt Lakes and Babbitt in northeastern Minnesota. As part of the wetland impact evaluation (for both direct and indirect wetland impacts) for the proposed project, the Corps has determined a need for an evaluation of baseline wetland types for wetlands outside of the mine site and plant site areas where wetland delineations have been conducted and within the areas of potential adverse hydrologic indirect wetland impacts. Indirect wetland impacts could occur as a result of groundwater drawdown in the mine area or groundwater mounding in the tailings basin area. Purpose The purpose of the evaluation will be to provide baseline information regarding the types and amounts of wetlands that exist in areas where adverse indirect wetland impacts could occur. The baseline wetland data will be used to prepare a wetland monitoring plan and to determine appropriate compensatory wetland mitigation if project-related adverse indirect wetland impacts were to occur. Description of Evaluation The evaluation shall consist of interpretation of available color infrared (CIR) aerial photography to map baseline wetland plant communities to add to the existing knowledge base provided by vegetation cover maps, U.S. Forest Service stand data, National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, and topographic maps. Specifics for the evaluation are defined as follows: 1. Interpret stereo pairs (60% overlap) of color infrared (CIR) aerial photography to map wetland plant communities within the areas shown by Figure 1. This should include, at a minimum, the 2005 CIR photography by the MnDNR, Forestry Division. Additional aerial photography can be used as warranted. A contact for the MnDNR CIR photos is Mike Happus of the MnDNR Forest Inventory Office in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. His telephone number is x Previous vegetation cover mapping by the National Wetland Inventory, and the U.S. Forest Service stand data, and existing topographic maps shall serve as a starting point. 1

36 3. Wetland plant communities shall be mapped using the Eggers and Reed (1997) nomenclature. The scale of the mapping should be 1 inch = 1,320 feet or greater detail. 4. An emphasis shall be placed on distinguishing between coniferous swamps dominated by northern white cedar and coniferous bogs dominated by black spruce and/or tamarack. 5. A table identifying individual wetlands with type and area information shall be provided. A table shall also be provided that summarizes the baseline wetland area by wetland type. 6. The areas that shall be evaluated are all or portions of the following sections as shown on the attached map: Mine area: T. 59N., R. 13W., Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. T. 59N., R. 12W., Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, and 18. T. 60N., R. 13W., Sections 25, 26, 33, 34, 35, and 36. T. 60N., R. 12W., Sections 29, 30, 31, and 32. Tailings Basin area: T. 60N., R. 14W., Sections 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35. T. 60N., R. 15W., Sections 25 and 36. T. 59N., R. 15W., Section 1. T. 59N., R. 14W., Sections 2, 3, 5, and 6. The area for evaluation near the proposed mine pit was identified based upon the modeled 0.25-ft groundwater drawdown contour in the glacial aquifer. The area for evaluation near the tailings basin area was identified based upon review of historical air photos to identify the indirect wetland impact area that occurred during operation of the existing tailings basin from late 1950s to PolyMet Mining, Inc. shall conduct the above evaluation and provide a report with the findings for inclusion in the Final EIS. 2

37

38 Appendix B Scientific Names of Vegetation

39 Appendix B Scientific Names of Vegetation Common Name Scientific Name Common Name Scientific Name alder Alnus rugosa tamarack Larix laricina American elm Ulmus americana water lily Nymphaea species arrowhead Sagittaria species water milfoil Myriophyllum species aster Aster species white pine Pinus strobus balsam fir Abies balsamea wild millet Panicum miliaceum beaked spike rush Eleocharis rostellata wild rice Zizania palustris beggartick Bidens species wild sarsaparilla Aralia nudicaulis big bluestem Andropogon gerardii wild timothy Phleum pratense black ash Fraxinus nigra willows Salix species black spruce Picea mariana woolgrass Scirpus cyperinus bunchberry Cornus canadensis Canada bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis cattail Thypha species common valerian Polemonium reptans coontail Ceratophyllum demersum cottonwood Populus deltoides cranberry Vaccinium species culver's root Veronicastrum virginicum dogwoods Cornus species duckweed Lemna species giant bur-reed Sparganium eurycarpum jack pine Pinus banksiana jewelweed Impatiens capensis Labrador tea Ledum groenlandicum lake sedge Carex lacustrus leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata lesser fringed gentian Gentianopsis virgata manna grass Glyceria species mint Lalium species naiad Najas species nettle Utrica species northern white cedar Thuja occidentalis Ohio goldenrod Solidago ohiensis paper birch Betula papyrifera reed grass Phragmites pickerelweed Pontederia cordata pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea pondweed Elodea species pondweed Potamogeton species prairie cordgrass Spartina pectinata quaking aspen Populus tremuloides red maple Acer rubrum redtop Agrsotis gigantea shrubby cinquefoil Dasiphora fruticosa spatterdock Nuphar variegata spikerush Eleocharis species starflower Trientalis borealis sterile sedge Carex sterilis sunflower Helianthus species P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Report appendices\appendix B - Scientific Names\Appendix B

40 Appendix C Mine Site Area Summary Figures

41 Ridge Cre ek Spring Min e Creek Northshore Mine Barr Footer: Date: 3/12/2010 8:10:53 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix C-1 Mine Site Area GIS Data.mxd User: jlb4 Wyman Creek Imagery Source: FSA, W21 #0 #0 W39 W24 #0 #0 #0 W20 #0 #0 W23 W25 W22 #0 W30 #0 #0 #0 W12 #0 #0 #0 W10 W31 Ref #1!(!( Ref #1M Ref #2M!(!( Ref #2 W29 #0 W28 W27 W26 #0 W11 #0 W19 Wetlegs Creek W32 #0 #0 #0 W13 W14 #0 #0 #0 W36 #0 #0 W37 W35 W34 #0 #0 #0 #0 W33 #6 Dunka Road!( W16 #4A!( #4M #4 #3!(!(!( #5 W38 W17 W15!( #17 #19M!( #19 #7M!(!( #7 Partridge River Yelp Creek #0 W40 W18 #12M #0 #10M!(!( #12!( #10 #2M!( #2 #11M!(!( #20 #18M #11!( #18 #21M #22M!(!( #21!(!( #1M #22!(!(!(!( #1 #8!( #16M!( #16 #9!( #13!( #14!( W7 #0 W5 W4 W9 Partridg e River #0 #0 #0!( #0 #0#0 #0 #0 Stubble Creek W6 #15 W1 W3 W8 W2 Sout h Branch Partri dge River Dunka River!( #0 Wetland Hydrology Monitoring Well Locations Wetland Functions and Values Assessment Site DNR Level 8 Watershed Boundaries Mine Site Mine Site Area Dunka Road Streams Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Shrub Swamps (Alder thickets & Shrub-carrs) Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Deep marsh; Shallow marsh Hardwood swamp Open water (Shallow, open water & lakes) Open bog Sedge meadow; Wet meadow I 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Appendix C-1 MINE SITE AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

42 Ridge Cre ek Spring Min e Creek Northshore Mine 1550 Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 3:50:40 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix C-2 Mine Site Area GIS Data.mxd User: arm2 Wyman Creek Imagery Source: FSA, Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek 1650 Dunka Road Partridge River Yelp Creek Partridg e River Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River 1550 Mine Site Mine Site Area Dunka Road Streams Surface Elevation 50 Foot 10 Foot 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Appendix C-2 MINE SITE AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

43 Ridge Cre ek Spring Min e Creek Northshore Mine Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 3:43:45 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix C-3 Mine Site Area GIS Data.mxd User: arm2 Wyman Creek Imagery Source: FSA, Longnose Creek Mine Site Mine Site Area Dunka Road Streams USFS Ecological Landtype (ELT) ELT 0 - No Data ELT 1 - Lowland Loamy Moist (LLM) Wetlegs Creek Dunka Road Partridge River ELT 2 - Lowland Loamy Wet (LLW) ELT 6 - Lowland Organic Acid to Neutral (LPN) ELT 11 - Upland deep Loamy Over Sandy Dry (UDHD) ELT 13 - Upland Deep Loamy Coarse (UDLDC) ELT 14 - Upland Deep Medium Loamy Dry (UDLDM) ELT 16 - Upland Shallow Loamy Dry (USLD) ELT 17 - Upland Very Shallow Droughty (USLXV) Yelp Creek I 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Partridg e River Stubble Creek Sout h Branch Partri dge River Dunka River Appendix C-3 MINE SITE AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

44 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 1 Lowland Loamy Moist LLM Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) is scattered throughout the Forest and occupies about 4 percent of the land. It is common in Landtype Associations 212 Lb02, Lb03, Lb08, Lb10, Lb11, Lc05, Lc07, Lc10, Lc20, Ld01, Le10, Le11 and Nd05. This ELT encompasses Landtype Phases 7, 34, 38, and 62. This unit is classified as riparian and is Upland according to wetland classification. Terrain and Geology This ELT occurs on slightly concave, simple slopes which have a gradient of less than 6 percent and are associated with nearly level to gently sloping, somewhat poorly drained ground moraines, recessional moraines, and drumlins comprised of Rainy and Superior till. Landscape positions include faults, drain-ways, lower slopes in transition to swamps, and depressions. Local relief is very low. Soil Resources The population of mineral soils associated with this ELT has developed in deep, somewhat poorly drained, yellowish and reddish-brown sandy loam, loam, clay loam, and silt loam till. The depth to bedrock is more than five feet. Aquic Dystrochrepts, Aquic Glossoboralfs, and Aquic Udipsomments make up the populations of soils. An estimated 5 to 20 percent of the root zone is gravel, cobbles, and boulders. Depth to seasonally saturated soil ranges from 12 to 40 inches. Shallow rooting by trees is common. Natural fertility is reduced because of the coarse fragments and seasonally saturated soil. Saturated soil also results in lower soil temperatures in the root zone during the growing season. Water Resources Some surface flow and ponding occurs on this unit during the spring and high intensity, short duration storms throughout the summer and fall. Water flowing from adjacent uplands collects in this ELT and gradually flows into poorly drained wet areas or percolates into ground water systems. This ELT is generally associated with intermittent first order streams. Water commonly flows through this unit in subsurface cobbly channels in situations where thin deposits over bedrock dominate the surrounding uplands. Vegetation This unit supports vegetation communities that are transitional between uplands and lowlands; therefore, both upland and lowland species are often present in a community. Upland trees except red pine frequently dominate the overstory. However, the shrub and forbs layers are made up of species having high moisture requirements. For example, a jack pine overstory can be associated with a shrub layer comprised of tag alder and red osier dogwood. Shrubs common to this unit are more than two feet in height with some over four feet tall. The species include tag alder, red osier dogwood, willow, and some elderberry. At some positions, there may be an inclusion of beaked hazel and mountain maple. The forbs are made up of broadleaf plants and mosses. The potential structure and density is: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-0-1, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-3 Pines Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Fir, Spruce Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-0 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 1

45 The duff is dark brown to black in a mature hardwood stand. Wind thrown trees are common and the knolls typically support a forbs community that is in contrast to the surrounding areas. Microclimate The climate associated with this unit is moist and cool during the growing season. Frost pockets are common in openings and probably result from the collection of cold air. Snow and frost remain longer in this landtype than adjacent upland landtypes. Because of these factors, the temperature in the root zone rises very slowly which contributes to a shorter growing season. Interpretations Engineering: Hydrological properties severely restrict engineering activities. Water collects from surrounding uplands creating unstable saturated soil conditions, especially during the spring, early summer, and fall seasons. Infiltration and permeability rates are moderate. The surface five feet has a Unified Classification of SM and ML. This unit is poorly suited for road locations. High construction and maintenance costs can be appended for this unit. This ELT is unsuited for soil absorption fields and sanitary landfill developments. Alternate sewage disposal systems should be considered, if needed. Brush control and seasonal limitations for vehicle access are problems relating to utility corridors. Fire: This ELT provides a break in fuel types from adjacent plant communities. The low shrub density in mature stands results in a poorly developed fuel ladder. Fine fuels consist of duff and broadleaf forbs, which ordinarily have high moisture content due to the moist site. Ground fog, frost, cool ground temperatures, and high humidity near the surface are more common in this unit than in the surrounding uplands units. Explosives, hand tools, and heavy equipment are suitable for constructing fire lines, but heavy equipment should be directed away from unstable, wet soil conditions. Prescribed summer burns will be needed for site preparation. Burning will not adversely affect the productivity of this ELT. Prescribed fire can be used in this ELT during dry periods, but may have difficulty during times of higher moisture content in organic matter, shrubs and forbs. Fire risk, lightning and human-caused, is low to medium depending on whether drought conditions exist or not. Recreation: This unit is not suited for most intensive and dispersed recreation facilities. Wind throw hazard is moderate to high for pole and sawtimber. Trails, spurs, and roads will require design features that will solve the water related problems. On-site sources of borrow are inadequate for most development needs. Vegetation Management: Potential productivity is fair to good for pulpwood and poor for sawtimber. Wind throw hazard is moderate to severe for pole and sawtimber. Equipment operability is poor on this unit during wet conditions. Shallow root systems result from prolonged saturated conditions in the root zone. Plant competition, saturated soil, and short-term ponding can reduce the survival of seedlings. Mechanical site preparation is generally limited to the period when the ground is frozen or dry conditions exist. Recommended species are black ash, balsam fir, yellow birch, white cedar, black spruce, white spruce, trembling aspen, and tamarack. This ELT can produce pure or mixed stands of trees, shrubs and forbs that are indicative of both lowland and upland sites. This ELT is present in several Landscape Ecosystems including Mesic Aspen-Birch-Spruce-Fir, Sugar Maple, Mesic White Pine-Red Pine, and portions of Dry Mesic White Pine-Red Pine and Jack Pine-Black Spruce. Wildlife: Diversity on this unit is medium. The diversity relates to the structure and density of plant communities and the inclusions of other ELTs, which range from open grass meadows to fully stocked hardwood or conifer stands. The unit has a fair potential for wildlife food plots that have a variety of shrubs and forbs suitable for browsing because of the poor workability associated with the moist loamy and silty soils. Considerable edge occurs in the transition from the upland dry sites to the lowland wet sites. Intermittent streams and ponding from surface runoff are common. This unit has a fair potential for ponds. Beaver activity is widespread in this unit. 2

46 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 2 Lowland Loamy Wet LLW Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) occupies about 9 percent of the Forest. This ELT is common throughout the Forest except in Landtype Associations (LTA) 212 Le08, Le09, La08, and La16. This unit is comprised of Landtype Phases (LTP) 1, 22, 47, 71, 72, and 73. It is classified as riparian, and according to NWI wetland classification is Palustrine, Forested Wetland, or Scrub- Shrub Wetland. Terrain and Geology This ELT occurs on slightly concave, uniform slopes which have a gradient of less than 6 percent and are associated with nearly level to gently sloping, poorly drained ground moraines comprised of Rainy and Superior till. Landscape positions include broad drain-ways and depressions, floodplains, and swamps. The local relief is very low. Soil Resource The population of mineral soils associated with this unit are developed in deep, poorly drained, yellowish-brown and reddish-brown sandy loamy to clay loam tills. Aquepts prevail in this unit and thick A1 horizons are widespread. Occasionally, there is an accumulation of organic matter that ranges from 6 to 18 inches thick. About 10 to 25 percent of the root zone is gravel, cobbles, or boulders and locally they range to about 90 percent. These soils are saturated to the surface about 85 percent of the year. Very shallow rooting of trees is common. The natural fertility of this unit is low. Average forest floor (duff) layer on this unit is 5 to 6 inches. Water Resource The water flowing to this unit moves as surface and subsurface flow. In the spring, fall, and during high intensity short duration storms, floodplains along intermittent and narrow, shallow perennial streams become active. The floodplain will vary in width from a few feet to 75 feet and the depth of water will range from less then 1 inch to about 8 inches. Water collects in this unit and flows to open water bodies, with some percolating into the soil and to subsurface water systems. Streams include first, second, third, and fourth order. Surface ponding is widespread. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities typical of wetlands. Lowland hardwoods and conifers are the major stand types. Trembling aspen and paper birch grown in some locations of this unit. Plants that prevail in this unit have adapted to prolonged saturated and cool root zones. Shrubs common to this unit are tag alder, Labrador tea, willow, leatherleaf, red osier dogwood, ribes, and blueberries. Shrub height is variable and ranges from 2 to 7 feet. Broadleaf plants and some mosses make up the forbs. 1

47 The potential structure and density is: Mature Immature Juvenile Lowland hardwoods Os-3, Sh-1, Fo-3 Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Lowland conifers Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-4 Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Wind throw is common and the knoll created by the root mass results in a contrasting betterdrained site and associated plant communities. Well-established open shrub and grass communities will exist for many decades in this unit. Micro Climate The climate is wet and cool during the growing season. Frost pockets and cold air drainage are widespread in this unit. Snow and frost remain in this unit long after the uplands are clear of both. The temperature in the root zone remains low through the growing season. The duration of the growing season is determined by these site conditions. Interpretations Engineering: Unfavorable hydrological properties severely restrict many engineering activities. The surface 5 feet has a Unified Classification of SM or ML. Surface flooding, prolonged saturated soil and frost conditions, and relative high contents of silt and clay result in costly construction and maintenance projects. There is a very low potential for sources of borrow. This unit is unsuited for sewage disposal and sanitary landfills. Local conditions will severely restrict the construction and maintenance of utility corridors. Fire: This unit will provide a break in upland fuel types because of its normally wet conditions. Exceptions will be during drought conditions when the organic matter surface will carry fire. Plant communities in this unit will be dominated by wetland species in contrast to adjacent upland plant commuities. In closed canopy, mature forest stands, the fuel ladder will be incomplete because of the very low density or lack of a shrub layer. More open forest stands can have well developed grass and thus a continuous arrangement of fine fuels. In some situations, an organic mat underlain with boulders will become very dry during droughts or extended seasonal dry periods. Ground fires in those situations will be difficult to control. Fire lines can be constructed with explosives and high flotation track vehicles. Prescribed burning is an acceptable management practice in this unit, but during abnormally dry periods consider waiting until soil moisture is higher which is usually spring or late fall. Fire risk (lightening and human caused) is low. Recreation: This unit is unsuited for facilities associated with intensive recreation developments and for most dispersed recreation facilities. Trail and road design will have to allow for wet site conditions. Vegetation Management: This ELT is found in xx and xxx LEs. The tree canopy will be dominated by tree species favoring wet conditions, such as black spruce, tamarack, black ash and other lowland hardwoods and conifers. Cold soil temperatures due to constant wetness will tend to delay the start of the growing season in the spring and lower the productivity of some species considered for wood fiber. Brush density is low in this ELT. Where aspen and paper birch are present, competition from sprouting is a factor if trying to establish conifers and one or two releases may be required. The dominant disturbance in this ELT is a severe wind throw problem resulting from the permanent wet conditions and associated shallow root systems of tree species. Wetness and local concentrations of boulders will hamper seedling establishment. Seeding and natural regeneration are good options in this unit for species diversity objectives. Productivity is low for wood fiber objectives. Equipment operability is poor due to wetness. Mechanical site preparation and harvest activities are limited to periods when the ground is frozen. 2

48 Watershed: Water flows slowly through this unit. Infiltration and permeability rates of the soils are moderate to slow. This unit collects water in large amounts from surrounding areas and most of this water into open water systems. Some water infiltrates the soil and percolates to underground water systems. The potential for erosion is low. There is a fair potential capacity for buffering lakes and streams from chemicals applied to the watershed. Wildlife: Natural diversity is low but contrasting properties (vegetation, gradient, moisture, and natural openings) with adjacent uplands result in considerable edge. There is a good potential for wildlife ponds. Many natural small ponds collect surface water and are quite warm during the summer. The potential for a variety of species of shrubs and forbs for browsing is poor because of the wet site conditions. Beaver and woodcock activity on this unit is common. 3

49 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 6 Lowland Organic Acid to Neutral LPN Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) occurs in Landtype Associations throughout the forest and occupies about 16 percent of the land. This unit is comprised of Landtype Phases (LTP) 24 and 32. It is classified as riparian and is Palustrine Forested Wetland or Scrub-Shrub Wetland according to wetland classification. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on uniform slopes having a gradient of less than 6 percent and is associated with nearly level plains and ground moraines having a thick deposit of organic material. Landscape positions include drain-ways, basins, and bogs. The local relief is very low. Soil The organic soils associated with this unit have developed in thick (the majority are more than 5 feet thick) deposits of organic materials derived from decaying woody plants and forbs. These deposits are underlain with glacial drift and lacustrine sediments. These soils are classified as Borohemist and Terric Borohemist. Gravels, cobbles, and boulders are very uncommon and are absent in most areas. The ph ranges from strongly acid to neutral. The soils are permanently saturated. Water Typically, the water from adjacent uplands collects in this unit and flows as runoff to open water systems. The runoff is most common in the spring. Flowage through this unit is slow due to the irregular and hummocky ground surface. Some water percolates into the mineral substrata. This unit is associated with third and fourth order streams. Vegetation This unit supports a wide range of plant communities, which are adapted to permanently wet organic soils. Spruce and fir are common in the overstory. Less common are tamarack, black ash, and white cedar. The height of the shrubs ranges from 2 to more than 4.5 feet and the common species are tag alder, red osier dogwood, Labrador tea, leatherleaf, and less common is bog birch. The forbs consist of a variety of broad leaf plants and a few grasses and mosses. The potential structure and density is: Mature Immature Juvenile Lowland hardwoods Os-2, Sh-2, Fo-4 Os-3, Sh-1, Fo-4 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-3 Lowland conifers Os-4, Sh-2, Fo-4 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-4 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-2 Plant communities with a low overstory typically have a wide variety of shrubs and forbs, but as the conifer overstory closes, the variety of the shrubs and forbs is reduced to a relative few. Microclimate This unit is wet and cool in the growing season. Frost pockets and cold air drainage are widespread. Snow and frost remain until late spring or early summer. The root zone is wet and 1

50 cool and the temperature rises very slowly. Fog and high humidity near the ground are widespread. Interpretations Engineering: Hydrological properties, saturated conditions, and unstable peat severely restrict engineering activities. Water collects in this unit and flows away very slowly. The organic material is typically 6 to 10 feet thick and is poorly suited for road locations. This unit is unsuited for sewage disposal and sanitary landfills. Poor vehicle access seriously limits the use of this unit for utility corridors. Fire: This unit will provide a break in fuel types from adjacent uplands in many situations. A wellstocked mature black spruce can have a complete full ladder. The water-saturated mosses are an effective fuel break for ground fires and will influence the fire rate of spread. During drought conditions, the organic material can become sufficiently dry enough to create conditions that could lead to a peat fire. Ground fog, frost, cool ground temperatures, and high humidity near the ground surface are common. Fire line construction is best accomplished with explosives or high floatation tracked vehicles, with hand tools being less effective. Heavy equipment is not suited for constructing fire lines. Fire lines will have open water. Except during droughts, fire will have little impact on this unit and can be used for site preparation. The fire risk (natural and human-caused) for this ELT is very low. Recreation: This unit is unsuited for recreation developments. Wind throw hazard is very severe for pole and sawtimber trees. Trails and roads will require design features that will solve the problems associated with the permanently saturated deep organic material. There are no on-site sources of borrow. Sewage disposal facilities would have to be located elsewhere. Vegetation Management: Potential productivity for pulpwood is low and for sawtimber is very low. Wind throw is common in mature stands. Equipment operability is poor. Shallow root systems are widespread due to the prolonged saturated condition. Surface ponding is common. Mechanical site preparation is limited to frozen soil. Recommended species are black spruce, white spruce, white cedar, balsam fir, tamarack, and black ash. This ELT produces stands indicative of lowland sites representing the Lowland Conifer and/or Rich Swamp Landscape Ecosystems. Watershed: Permeability rate is slow and the water holding capacity is high. Standing water and ponding are commonplace. Potential for an aquifer is undetermined at this time. Wildlife: Diversity in this unit is low. Some edge is present at the contact with the uplands. Vegetation is typical of moderately acid to neutral bog conditions. Ponds could be easily developed and water will often have a high content of suspended organic material. Evidence of wildlife activity typically consists of trails, beds, and browsing. 2

51 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 11 Upland Deep Loamy Over Sandy Dry UDHD Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) is widespread, occurring throughout the forest, and occupying about 10 percent of the land. This includes Landtype Phases (LTP) 14, 23, 28, 40, 44, 57, 60, and 67. It is non-riparian and according to NWI wetland-classification is Upland. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on uniform and convexed slopes that have a gradient ranging from 5 to 25 percent and is associated mainly with Rainy and Superior outwash plains and ground moraines. Landscape positions include low ridges, side slopes, and basins. The local relief is low. Soil The population of mineral soils associated with this unit has developed in deep, well drained, yellowish-brown and reddish-brown sandy loams and loamy sands underlain with gravelly sands, gravelly loamy sand, and gravelly sandy loam. The water table is below 5 feet. The soils are classified as Typic Udorthent, Typic Udipsomment, and Typic Dystrocherpts. The surface loamy cap is less than 20 inches thick. There are some boulders and cobbles on the surface and commonly occupy less than 10 percent of the ground surface. Generally, the content of gravels and cobbles in the soil is about 35 percent, but ranges from 25 to 85 percent. Water This unit has porous sub-soils that readily yield water to subsurface water systems. There is no surface runoff or ponding in this unit when the soil is free of frost. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities that have adapted to a root zone having a loamy surface and a highly contrasting porous surface. Some plant roots penetrate the porous subsurface, but most roots are concentrated in the loamy surface. Thus, the plants will be subject to frequent periods of moisture stress during the growing season due to a moisture deficit in the sub-soil. Trees occurring in this unit include aspen, paper birch, pines, spruce, cedar, and fir. Typically, the shrubs include hazel, honeysuckle, juneberry, sweet fern, and blueberry. The forbs consist of broad leaf plants with few grasses or mosses. The potential structure and density are: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-2 Pines Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Cedar, Fir, Spruce Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-0 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Mature stands will tend to be open or park-like. Micro Climate This unit is warm and dry during the growing season. Frost pockets are uncommon, but do occur in some openings. The duration of frozen ground and snow pack will depend mainly on the forest type. The temperatures in the root zone increase readily in late spring and early summer. 1

52 Interpretations Engineering: This unit is well suited for many engineering activities. There is rapid internal drainage and no water table within 5 feet of the surface. The surface 5 feet is mainly SP and GW with a thin layer of SM. UDHD has a good potential for road location. It has some potential for sanitary landfills and sewage disposal facilities. However, the design of each will have to provide for ample treatment of the leachates passing through the porous sub-soil. There is a good potential for utility corridors. Fire: This unit does not provide a good break in fuels with adjacent areas. Most fuels will be aerial. In general, fire will move quickly through this unit with fire intensity medium to high and severity low. In the western part of the forest under closed canopy, mature stands, the fuel ladder will often be incomplete and will have little or no intermediate fuels. In the eastern part of the forest and in stands with a more open canopy where the shrub layer is more developed, this layer may reach heights that create ladder fuels. The ground fuels will readily dry out because of the low surface moisture and air movement through the stands. Ground fog is uncommon. Fire line construction can be easily accomplished with heavy equipment or hand tools. While site prep is normally not necessary due to low organic matter, site prep burns should be implemented during times when the soil moisture is higher, using the Build Up Index (BUI) as a guide. These units are high risk for lightening ignited fires due to the droughty conditions. Where heavy fuels have been allowed to buildup, these soils can be susceptible to adverse impacts. Fire risk (lightening and human caused) is medium to high. Recreation: This unit is well suited for many intensive and dispersed recreation facilities. There is sufficient borrow on site for spurs, trails, and small structures. The gravelly substrata would be a favorable base for roads and spurs. The density of the shrubs and forbs will increase with the amount of day light received. On-site sewage disposal facilities are acceptable. Vegetation Management: The tree canopy will be dominated by tree species favoring welldrained sandy soils, such as pines and paper birch. The dominant disturbance for this ELT is fire associated with human activities and lightening. Productivity is low to medium for wood fiber objectives. Equipment operability is good for planting and site preparation. Plant competition will be low and some sites may not require any site preparation, especially the deep sandy areas on the west side of the forest associated with large outwash deposits. The potential productivity for pulpwood is medium and for sawtimber is low. Plant competition will be low in managed stands. Some site preparation may be required for reforestation and usually one release will suffice. Watershed: This unit has a rapid infiltration rate and a very rapid permeability rate. There is a low potential for erosion. Streams and ponding are uncommon and the drainage system is poorly developed. This unit has potential for an aquifer with a rapid rate of recharge. Wildlife: Diversity is low because of the low variety in plant communities and weakly developed structure. There is a medium potential for a variety of species of shrubs and forbs for browsing. This unit is unsuited for constructed wildlife ponds. 2

53 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 13 Upland Deep Loamy Dry Course UDLDC Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) is widespread and occurs in all Landtype Associations (LTA) except Lb08, Lb10, La15, La07, Lb03, Lb11, Lb10, La14, La17 and Lc10. This unit occupies about 8 percent of the land and is comprised of Landtype Phases (LTP) 3, 9, 30, 33, 39, 64, 66, and 70. It unit is classified as non-riparian and is Upland according to wetland classification. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on convex slopes that have a gradient, which ranges from 6 to 35 percent and is associated with Rainy and Superior ground moraines. Landscape positions include ridges and side slopes. The local relief is low. Soil The population of mineral soils has developed in deep, well drained, grayish-brown, and brown, sandy loam and loamy sand that have a water table below 5 feet. These soils are classified as Typic Dystrochrept. These soils commonly have a loess cap of about 12 to 30 inches that is underlain with till. Gravels and cobbles make up about 15 percent of the loess cap and about 35 percent of the till. In the till, this percent will range from 15 to 70 percent of which a major portion consists of boulders. The content of coarse fragments on the ground surface is typically less than 5 percent. Water This unit yields water to ground water systems. There is no surface runoff or ponding while the soil is free of frost. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities that are representative of dry uplands having a moderate level of fertility. Overstory species include aspen, paper birch, pine, spruce, and fir. Shrubs include hazel, honeysuckle, and mountain maple. Broad leaf plants, some grasses, and few mosses make up the forbs. The potential structure and density are: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-4, Sh-2, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Pines Os-4, Sh-2, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Cedar, Fir, Spruce Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Microclimate This unit is dry and warm during the growing season. Frost pockets will occur but are uncommon. The duration of the snow pack and ground frost will depend mainly on the forest type. 1

54 Interpretations Engineering: This unit is well suited for most engineering activities. There is good internal drainage and the water table is below 5 feet. The surface 5 feet are primarily SM and the silt and clay content decreases with depth. This unit has a good potential for road locations. It has a fair potential for sanitary landfills and sewage disposal facilities, but the design of each will have to include measures to compensate for the porous substratum. There is a good potential for use as a utility corridor. Fire: This unit will provide some break in the fuel type with adjacent areas due to a weakly developed fuel ladder in mature stands. Most fuels will be aerial. The fine fuels will readily dry because of the good air movement through the relative open mature stands. Ground fog is uncommon. Fire lines can be easily constructed with heavy equipment or hand tools, but local concentrations of boulders on the surface may hamper fire line construction. There is no readily available water. In site preparation, spring burns and cool summer burns are acceptable. Hot summer burns are not acceptable due to the need for maintaining the duff, the low level of organic matter, and the low moisture holding capacity in the soil. Fire risk (natural and human caused) is medium to high on this ELT depending on moisture conditions. Recreation: This unit is adequately suited for most intensive and dispersed recreation facilities. There is some on site borrow for constructing trails. Day light will increase the density of the shrubs and forbs. Grass can be easily maintained in openings. This unit is suitable for sewage disposal facilities. Vegetation Management: The potential productivity is medium for pulpwood and low for sawtimber. Equipment operability is good. Site preparation will be necessary for most reforestations and usually one release will suffice for establishing new conifer stands. Recommended species are aspen, paper birch, pine, and spruce. This ELT is present in Landscape Ecosystems throughout the forest except for Lowland Conifer. Watershed: This unit has a moderately rapid rate of infiltration and permeability. There is no surface runoff or ponding while the soil is free of frost. There is a medium potential for erosion of base soil. This unit is associated with third and fourth order streams; however, streams are uncommon. The natural drainage system is poorly developed. There is some potential for an aquifer. Wildlife: Diversity is fair and relates to the structure and variety of vegetation. There is a fair potential for managed wildlife openings and this unit is unsuited for developed ponds. Some edge occurs at the contact with adjacent ELT s. Natural streams and ponds are common. 2

55 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 14 Upland Deep Medium Loamy Dry UDLDM Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) is widespread in the forest, and occupies about 11 percent of the land. This unit is comprised of Landtype Phases (LTP) 10, 17, 29, 31, 55, and 65. It is classified as non-riparian and according to wetland-classification is upland. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on convexed slopes that have gradients that range from 6 to 35 percent and is associated with Rainy and Superior ground and recessional moraines. Landscape positions include ridges and side slopes. The local relief ranges from 5 to 30 feet. Soil The population of mineral soils associated with this unit has developed in deep, well drained, yellowish-brown and reddish-brown sandy loam and tills with a surface texture ranging from fine sandy loam to silt loam. The depth to a water table and bedrock is more than five feet. These soils are classified as Typic Dystrochrepts. These soils commonly have fine textures at the surface and somewhat coarser textures in the subsoil. Typically, boulders occupy less than five percent of the ground surface. In the soil, the content of gravel and cobbles is about 10 percent and ranges to 35 percent. In some locations there is a continuous pan that detains water long enough to create temporarily saturated soil in the upper 30 inches. Water This unit yields water to underground water systems. It also yields water to lower slope positions occupied by LLM, LLW, and LPN through seeps, springs, and intermittent streams. There is no surface runoff or ponding while the ground is free of frost. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities that have relatively high requirements for nutrients and moisture. Overstory species include aspen, paper birch, pine, spruce, and fir. Less frequently occurring trees are sugar maple, red maple, elm, cedar, and yellow birch. Common shrubs are mountain maple and hazel, and less common are gray dogwood, thimbleberry, mountain ash, and elderberry. Forbs are comprised of broad leaf, but grasses are common in some openings. The potential structure and density are: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-4, Sh-3, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-2, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-2 Pines Os-4, Sh-3, Fo-3 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Cedar, Fir, Spruce Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-2 Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 The majority of shrubs will be more than 4.5 feet in height and will produce a crop of fruit and nuts under normal weather conditions. 1

56 Micro Climate This unit is dry and warm. Frost pockets are common in LTA 3 but not in other areas of the forest. Gently sloping terrain and the blockage of air movement by the Superior Highland are believed to be the cause of this higher frequency of frost pockets. The duration of snow pack and frozen ground will depend mainly on the forest type. The soil in the root zone warms slowly in the spring but is believed to remain warm into the fall. This temperature in the root zone will be favorable for plant growth. Interpretations Engineering: This unit is poorly suited for several engineering activities due to the high silt plus clay content in the soils. Temporary water saturated soil occurs in the spring and during high intensity short duration storms. It is a poor location for roads. It has a good potential for sanitary landfills and fair to good for sewage disposal facilities. There is a good potential for utility corridors. Fire: This unit will provide a break in fuels with adjacent areas. There will be incomplete fuel ladder in mature stands. Generally, the ground fuels will have relatively high moisture content due to the high moisture holding capacity of the soil. Fire lines can be readily constructed with heavy equipment and hand tools. For site preparation, summer burns would be most effective and these would be restricted only during droughts or where there is a heavy concentration of fuels. Recreation: This unit is suited for most intensive and dispersed recreation facilities. The on-site borrow has a relatively high content of silt plus clay; thus, the tread of trails made from would compact easily and would tend to be muddy and slippery during the wet periods of the use season. Treads built into material would become drain ways for surface runoff. The plant communities would respond vigorously to daylight. Grassed openings would be easy to maintain. This unit is suitable for most sewage disposal systems. Timber: The potential productivity for pulpwood is medium to high and for sawtimber is medium. The operability is fair and there are some restrictions during the wet part of the frost-free period. Site preparation is necessary for the reforestation of conifers. Normally, two releases are necessary for establishing a new stand. Recommended species are aspen, paper birch, pine, spruce, fir, cedar, and tamarack. Watershed: This unit yields water to adjacent lowlands through seeps and springs and to ground water systems. The infiltration and permeability rates are moderate and there is a moderate water holding capacity. There is a limited potential for an aquifer. Wildlife: The diversity is high as a result of the variety in plants and the well-developed density and structure common to plant communities. This unit has a good potential for managed food plots. It is unsuited for developed wildlife ponds. 2

57 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 16 Upland Shallow Loamy Dry USLD Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) is widespread and occurs in all Landtype Associations (LTA) except 212 Ld01, Le10 and Nd05. It includes Landtype Phases (LTP) 15, 18, 20 and 63. About 19 percent of the land in the forest is USLD. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on strongly convex and irregular slopes that have a gradient of 6 to 35 percent and is associated with a thin glacial till underlain with bedrock in gently to steeply sloping ground moraines. Landscape positions include ridges and side slopes. The shape of the slopes is strongly influenced by the underlying bedrock, with some slopes having a stair step pattern. Bedrock outcrops occur at ridge tops and at sharp breaks in the side slopes. The local relief ranges up to 200 feet. Soil The population of mineral soils has developed in a shallow, (20 to 40 inches thick) well-drained, dark brown and yellowish-brown, sandy loam or loam that are underlain with bedrock. The thickness of the soil often relates to the topography of the underlying bedrock. There is a discontinuous fragipan in some soils that can extend to the bedrock. These soils are classified as Typic Fragiochrepts and Typic Dystrochrepts. Cobbles and boulders occupy about 10 percent of the ground surface. In the soil, the content of gravels and cobbles is about 25 to 35 percent. Bedrock outcrops occupy less than 1 percent of the ground surface. Water This unit yields water to lower landscape positions mainly through flowage along the interface of the soil and bedrock. The soils on gently sloping landscape can be saturated for a short time during the spring thaw. There is no permanent water table in the soil. There is no ponding while the soil is free of frost. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities that have adapted to the shallow depth to bedrock. Soil moisture might strongly influence the length of the growing season. Common trees are aspen, paper birch, pine, spruce, and fir. Shrubs are typically less than 4.5 feet tall and include hazel, green alder, and blueberries. Forbs are made up of broad leaf plants and some mosses. Grasses are uncommon. Wind thrown trees are common. The potential structure and density are: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-3, Sh-2, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-1, Fo-2 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-1 Pines Os-3, Sh-2, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Cedar, Fir, Spruce Os-3, Sh-1, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-0, Fo-1 Os-4, Sh-4, Fo-0 The density of the overstory decreases as the stands mature and there is an increase in shrub density. Thus, older stands will become open and brushy. 1

58 Micro Climate This unit is dry and warm during the growing season. There are some frost pockets in openings in gently sloping landscape. South facing slopes in steeply sloping landscape are somewhat drier than the north facing slopes. Interpretations Engineering: This unit is well suited to those engineering activities that require a minimum of excavation and is poorly suited for those requiring deep cuts and fills. There is good internal drainage, but water saturated soils do occur during the early spring. This unit has a fair potential for road location. It is unsuited for sanitary landfills and sewage disposal systems that discharge an effluent into the soil. There is a poor potential for use as a utility corridor. Fire: This unit provides some break in fuel types with adjacent areas. There is an incomplete fuel ladder in mature stands and most fuels are aerial. The fuels tend to dry readily in this unit due to the low water storage capacity in the soil and the movement of air through the open stands. Fire lines can be readily constructed with heavy equipment and explosives, but the cobbles and boulders will limit the effectiveness of hand tools. For site preparation, spring burns are acceptable. However, summer burns should be only used when the ground fuels are moist; otherwise, long-term adverse impacts will result in a reduction in potential productivity. Recreation: This unit is poorly suited for intensive developments but can support most facilities for dispersed recreation. There is a limited on site borrow for trail construction. Day light will increase the density of the shrubs and forbs. Sewage disposal systems are limited to those that do not discharge an effluent into the soil. Timber: This unit has a medium potential productivity for pulpwood and a low potential for sawtimber. The operability is fair. Plant competition is low in managed stands. Some site preparation will be necessary for establishing new conifer stands. Ordinarily, one release will suffice. Recommended species are aspen, pine, spruce, and fir. Watershed: This unit had moderate infiltration and permeability rates. Deep percolation does not occur and the storage capacity is low due to the shallow depth to bedrock. Thus, the water levels in streams and lakes will vary considerably and the stream levels will tend to be flashy in nature. Perennial streams commonly flow in bedrock-controlled valleys, are third, and fourth order. Lakes often have bedrock shorelines. There is no potential for an aquifer. Wildlife: The diversity is medium and is related to the variety in the plant communities, their structure, and the inclusions of contrasting sites. This unit has a fair potential for managed wildlife openings and is unsuited for wildlife ponds. 2

59 ECOLOGICAL LANDTYPE 17 Upland Very Shallow Loamy Droughty USLXV Background This Ecological Landtype (ELT) occurs in Landtype Associations (LTA) La07, La13, La14, La15, La16, La17 La35, La37, Lb02, Lb05, Lb10, Lc07, Lc10 Le01, Le03 and Ma10. The majority of this unit is located in the northern half of the forest, and occupies about 7 percent of the land. It is made up of Landtype Phases (LTP) 11 and 21. It is classified as non-riparian and according to NWI wetland classification is Upland. Terrain and Geology This unit occurs on convex and irregular slopes with many having a stair-step shape. Bedrock outcrops are common at ridge tops and at major slope breaks. The slope gradient ranges from 6 to 50 percent and are associated with steeply sloping ground moraines. Landscape positions include ridges and slide slopes. This unit is associated with third and fourth order streams. The local relief ranges up to 200 feet. Soil The population of mineral soils associated with this unit has developed in very shallow (8 to 20 inches), well-drained, brownish, gravelly sandy loam. Short-term water saturated conditions occur in the early spring or during prolonged heavy rains due to the shallow soil depth over bedrock. These soils are classified as Lithic Dystrochrepts. Cobbles and boulders occupy less than 3 percent of the ground surface. Gravels and cobbles make up 10 to 25 percent of the soil. Water This unit yields and transports water through internal drainage above the bedrock to lower slope positions. Little water percolates to under ground water tables except in areas of fractured bedrock. There is no surface ponding while the ground is free of frost. The water level in adjacent lakes and streams vary substantially from spring to fall due largely to the low water storage capacity of the soil. Vegetation This unit supports plant communities that have adapted to droughty conditions related to the shallow root zone and the low supply of soil moisture. Common overstory species include pine, spruce, fir, and some aspen and paper birch. The shrubs include honeysuckle, blueberries, sweet fern, and some hazel and green alder. The height of the shrubs is mainly less than 2 feet but some range up to about 4 feet. Broad leaf plants and mosses make up the forbs. The potential structure and density are: Mature Immature Juvenile Hardwoods Os-2, Sh-3, Fo-1 Os-2, Sh-3, Fo-1 Os-0, Sh-3, Fo-0 Pines Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-4 Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-3 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 Fir, Spruce Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-3 Os-3, Sh-0, Fo-3 Os-0, Sh-4, Fo-0 The mature conifer stands have a substantially higher portion of mosses than do the hardwoods or immature and juvenile communities. Micro Climate 1

60 This unit is droughty and warm during the growing season. Frost pockets are uncommon. The duration of snow pack and frozen ground depends primarily on the cover type. There is a high frequency of wetting and drying in the root zone due to the shallow soil and low amount of water, which also might determine the length of the growing season. Interpretation Engineering: This unit has severe limitations for most engineering activities due to shallow soils. The thin mantle of soil is SM. The potential for road locations is very poor. It is unsuited for sanitary landfills and sewage disposal systems. There are severe limitations for use as a utility corridor. Fire: This unit will not provide a break in fuels with adjacent areas. In general, fire will move quickly through this unit with fire intensity medium to high and severity low. The fuel ladder will be incomplete in mature stands and most fuels will be aerial and ground. Ground fuels will generally be low in moisture due to the drought conditions. Fire risk (lightening and human) is medium to high. Ground fog is very uncommon. Fire lines can be readily constructed with explosives. Handline construction is possible, but will be difficult due to rockiness. There are severe limitations for heavy equipment due to the irregular, steeping sloping terrain. Site prep burns should be implemented during times when the soil moisture is high, using the Build Up Index (BUI) as a guide. This often occurs in spring or fall. Summer burns during low soil moisture conditions may reduce or burn off the thin organic layer. Under normal conditions, fire intensity will be medium to high while severity will be low. Where heavy fuels, such as blowdown, have been allowed to buildup, these soils can be susceptible to adverse impacts. Recreation: This unit is poorly suited for most recreation developments. There is no on-site sources of borrow. Sewage disposal facilities would have to be located elsewhere. Vegetation Management: Tree canopy will be dominated by species that can tolerate shallow soils that tend to dry out quickly, such as pines, big-tooth aspen, paper birch and oak. Inclusions of small wet areas can occur due to depressions in the underlying bedrock and are reflected in vegetation that favors more mesic conditions. The potential productivity for pulpwood is low to very low and very low for sawtimber. There is a very high occurrence of wind throw due to shallow soils and higher elevations than the surrounding landscape. Equipment operability is poor due to steep slopes. Plant competition is low in managed stands and a minimum of site preparation is needed for reforestation. Normally, no releases are necessary for establishing new stands. Recommended species are pine and spruce for short or long rotations, but hardwoods are limited to short rotations. Watershed: This unit has moderate rates of infiltration and permeability. There is a very low water storage capacity because of the thin soils. There is no surface runoff during the frost-free period. Bedrock shorelines and stream banks are common. The erosion potential is moderate to high. Streams are uncommon and the drainage system is controlled by the configuration of the underlying bedrock. There is no potential for an aquifer. Wildlife: Diversity is low due to the low amount of structure and low densities in plant communities. The potential for a variety of species of shrubs and forbs for browsing is poor, and the unit is unsuited for construction of wildlife ponds. 2

61 Appendix D Tailings Basin Area Summary Figures and Tables

62 Camp Eight Creek Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 3:34:06 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix D-1 Tailings Basin Area GIS Data.mxd User: arm Imagery Source: FSA, Embarrass River Trimble Creek 358 Tailings Basin Spring M ine Creek 2046 Spring Mine Creek Tailings Basin Area DNR Level 8 Watershed Boundaries Streams 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Appendix D-1 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

63 Camp Eight Creek Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 3:35:15 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix D-2 Tailings Basin Area GIS Data.mxd User: arm Imagery Source: FSA, Embarrass River Trimble Creek Tailings Basin Spring M ine Creek 2046 Spring Mine Creek Tailings Basin Area Streams Surface Elevation 50 Foot 10 Foot 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Appendix D-2 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

64 Camp Eight Creek Barr Footer: Date: 2/16/2010 4:33:59 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix D-3 Tailings Basin Area GIS Data.mxd User: arm Imagery Source: FSA, Embarrass River Trimble Creek 358 Tailings Basin Spring M ine Creek 2046 Spring Mine Creek Tailings Basin Area Streams Hydric Rating All Hydric Partially Hydric Not Hydric Unknown Hydric 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Appendix D-3 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - GIS DATA NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

65 Appendix E Eggers & Reed (1997) Wetland Classification Key

66 Wetland Community Classification Key Go to upper canopy to key out wetland plant community(-ities) within the evaluation area using the following key 1. Evaluate only each contiguous type that comprises at least 10% of the vegetated wetland area; the exception is a shallow, open water community in which any fringe emergent communities must be evaluated. Be sure to sample shallow, open water areas for submergent vegetation. Enter in page 1 of field data form, MnRAM database second tab, or the manual-use summary table located in the Guidance. Wetland Community Classification Key 1A. Mature trees (dbh of 6 inches or more) are present and form closed stands (more than 17 trees per acre; more than a 50 percent canopy cover) on wet, lowland soils (usually floodplains and ancient lake basins). 2A. Hardwood trees are dominant (>50% areal coverage or basal area of the tree stratum); usually alluvial, peaty/mucky, or poorly drained mineral soils. 3A. Silver maple, American elm, river birch, green ash, black willow, box elder and/or eastern cottonwood are dominant; growing on alluvial soils associated with riverine systems.. FLOODPLAIN FOREST (Type 1); (PFO; 1,6; A) 3B. Black ash, green ash, American elm, eastern cottonwood, black willow, box elder, yellow birch, silver maple, quaking aspen and/or red maple are dominant; northern white cedar may be subdominant; growing on poorly-drained mineral or peat/muck soils, often associated with ancient lake basins.. HARDWOOD SWAMP (Type 7); (PFO;1, 6; A, B, C) 2B. Coniferous trees are dominant (>50% areal coverage or basal area of the tree stratum); soils usually peaty. 4A. Tamarack and/or black spruce are dominant; growing on a continuous sphagnum moss mat and acid, peat soils...coniferous BOG (Type 8); (PFO; 2, 4, 6, 7; B) 4B. Northern white cedar and/or tamarack are dominant; continuous sphagnum moss mat absent; usually growing on neutral to alkaline peat/muck soils..coniferous SWAMP (Type 7); (PFO;2, 4, 6, 7; B, C) 1B. Mature trees are absent or, if present, form open, sparse stands; other woody plants, if present, are shrubs or saplings and pole-size trees (dbh less than 6 inches) less than 20 feet high and growing on wet, lowland, or poorly-drained soils, or in ground-water seepage areas. 5A. Community dominated (>50% areal coverage) by woody shrubs. 6A. Low, woody shrubs usually less than 3 feet high; sphagnum moss mat layer may or 1 Refer to Pages of "Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of MN and WI"; (USACOE - St. Paul District; Eggers and Reed).

67 may not be present. 7A. Shrubs are ericaceous and evergreen growing on a sphagnum moss mat layer; peat soils are acidic...open BOG (Type 8); (PSS;2, 3, 4, 7; B) 7B. Shrubs are deciduous, mostly shrubby cinquefoil, often growing on sloping sites with a spring-fed supply of internally flowing, calcareous waters; other calciphiles are also dominant; sphagnum moss mat layer absent; muck/poorly-drained mineral soils are alkaline.calcareous FEN (Type 2/6), (PEM/PSS;1; B) 6B. Tall, woody deciduous shrubs usually greater than 3 feet high; sphagnum moss mat layer absent: SHRUB SWAMPS. 8A. Speckled alder is dominant; usually on acidic soils in and north of the vegetation tension zone (a map of the tension zone is on page 9 of Eggers and Reed [1997]). ALDER THICKET (Type 6); (PSS;1, 6; B, C) 8B. Willows, red-osier dogwood, silky dogwood, meadowsweet and/or steeplebush are dominant on neutral to alkaline poorly drained muck/mineral soils; found north and south of the vegetation tension zone. NOTE: Non-native buckthorns (Rhamnus cathartica and R. frangula) may occur as dominant shrubs or small trees in disturbed shrub-carrs. SHRUB-CARR (Type 6); (PSS;1, 6; B, C) 5B. Community dominated (>50% areal coverage) by herbaceous plants. 9A. Essentially closed communities, usually with more than 50 percent cover. 10A. Sphagnum moss mat on acid peat soils; leatherleaf, pitcher plants, certain sedges, and other herbaceous species tolerant of low nutrient conditions may be present...open BOG (Type 8); (PSS; 2, 3, 4, 7; B; and PML; 1; B) 10B. Sphagnum moss mat absent; dominant vegetation consists of sedges (Cyperaceae), grasses (Gramineae), cattails, giant bur-reed, arrowheads, forbs and/or calciphiles. Soils are usually neutral to alkaline, poorly-drained mineral soils and mucks. 11A. Over 50 percent of the cover dominance contributed by the sedge family, cattails, giant bur-reed, arrowheads, wild rice, and/or giant reed grass (Phragmites). 12A. Herbaceous emergent plants growing on saturated soils to areas covered by standing water up to 6 inches in depth throughout most of the growing season.

68 13A. Major cover dominance by the sedges (primarily genus Carex) typically on saturated soils with, at most, short periods of inundation. Canada blue-joint grass may be a subdominant. Lake sedges (Carex lacustris, C. utriculata) and slough sedge (Carex atherodes) can also be dominants in shallow marshes see 13B. below... SEDGE MEADOW (Type 2), (PEM; 1; B) 13B. Major cover dominance by cattails, bulrushes, water plantain, Phragmites, arrowheads, slough sedge and/or lake sedges typically on soils that are inundated by up to 6 inches of water depth for a significant portion of most growing seasons....shallow MARSH (Type 3); (PEM; 1, 2; C) 12B. Herbaceous submergent, floating-leaved, floating and emergent plants growing in areas covered by standing water greater than 6 inches in depth throughout most of the growing season..deep MARSH (Type 4); (PEM; 1, 2; F, G, H; and PAB; 2, 4, 5; F, G; and PUB; F, G; and L2EM2; F, G; and L2AB; 2, 4, 5; F, G) 11B. Over 50 percent of the cover dominance contributed by grasses (except wild rice and Phragmites), forbs and/or calciphiles. 14A. Spring-fed supply of internally flowing, calcareous waters, often sloping sites; calciphiles such as sterile sedge, wild timothy, Grass-of-Parnassus and lesser fringed gentian are dominant. CALCAREOUS FEN (Type 2); (PEM; 1; B) 14B. Water source(s) variable; calciphiles not dominant. 15A. Dominated by native prairie grasses (e.g., big bluestem, prairie cordgrass, Canada blue-joint grass) usually with characteristic wet prairie forbs (e.g., Riddell s goldenrod, gayfeather, mountain mint) WET TO WET- MESIC PRAIRIE (Type 2); (PEM; 1; A, B) 15B. Dominated by other grass species (e.g., reed canary grass, redtop) and/or generalist forbs (e.g., giant goldenrod, giant sunflower, swamp aster, marsh aster, wild mint) fresh (WET) MEADOW (Type 2); (PEM; 1; B) 9B. Essentially open communities, either flats or basins usually with less than 50 percent vegetative cover during the early portion of the growing season, or shallow open water with submergent, floating and/or floating-leaved aquatic vegetation.

69 16A. Areas of shallow, open water (< 6.6 feet in depth) dominated by submergent, floating and/or floating-leaved aquatic vegetation.. SHALLOW, OPEN WATER COMMUNITIES (Type 5); (PAB; 2, 4, 5; G, H; and PUB; G, H; and L2EM; 2; G, H; and L2AB; 2, 4, 5; G, H) 16B. Shallow depressions or flats including vernal pools; standing water may be present for a few weeks each year, but are dry for much of the growing season; often cultivated or dominated by annuals such as smartweeds and wild millet; when not cultivated, perennial vegetation may be present (see Table 4 on page 15)... SEASONALLY FLOODED BASIN (Type 1); (PEM; A)

70 Appendix F Mine Site Area Wetland Summary

71 Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 3:25:10 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix F Mine Site Area Wetland IDs.mxd User: arm2 Wyman Creek Spring Mine Creek Ridge Cre ek Longnose Creek Wetlegs Creek Partridge River 365 Northshore Mine A A A A A B A C A D A Dunka Road 22B A Yelp Creek Partridg e River Stubble Creek South Branch Partrid ge River Dunka River Imagery Source: FSA, Mine Site Area Mine Site Streams Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Shrub Swamps (Alder thickets & Shrub-carrs) Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Deep marsh; Shallow marsh Hardwood swamp Open water (Shallow, open water & lakes) Open bog Sedge meadow; Wet meadow I 3,500 1, ,500 Feet Appendix F MINE SITE AREA - WETLAND IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

72 Appendix F Wetland Summary - Mine Site Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 1 Shallow marsh D Alder thicket Shallow marsh Alder thicket Wet meadow A Alder thicket Wet meadow Alder thicket Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Wet meadow Coniferous swamp Sedge meadow Alder thicket Shallow marsh Coniferous swamp 9.3 9A Shallow marsh Alder thicket Sedge meadow Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Hardwood swamp A Alder thicket Coniferous swamp Wet meadow Coniferous swamp Wet meadow Hardwood swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Sedge meadow Coniferous swamp Shallow marsh Coniferous bog A Coniferous swamp Open bog B Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Alder thicket A Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket A Open bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Shrub-Carr Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Shrub-Carr Coniferous bog Open bog A Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog A Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket A Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog A Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog B Coniferous swamp A Coniferous swamp C Coniferous swamp Alder thicket 6.0 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Misc Information\BaselineWetlands_MineSite F -Mine Site Summary_

73 Appendix F Wetland Summary - Mine Site Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 114 Coniferous bog Deep marsh Shallow marsh Shrub Hardwood swamp Shrub Wet meadow Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Shallow, open water Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shallow, open water Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Shallow, open water Shrub Shrub Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow, open water Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow, open water Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous bog Deep marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog 5.4 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Misc Information\BaselineWetlands_MineSite F -Mine Site Summary_

74 Appendix F Wetland Summary - Mine Site Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 291 Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Deep marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Deep marsh Alder thicket Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Deep marsh Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous swamp Open bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Sedge/wet meadow Coniferous bog Sedge/wet meadow Coniferous bog Sedge/wet meadow Shrub Sedge/wet meadow Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shrub 3.2 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Misc Information\BaselineWetlands_MineSite F -Mine Site Summary_

75 Appendix F Wetland Summary - Mine Site Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 383 Deep marsh Open bog Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Alder thicket Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Open bog Open bog Open bog Coniferous bog Open bog Coniferous bog Open bog Coniferous bog Shallow, open water Coniferous bog Open bog Shallow, open water Open bog Coniferous bog Open bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow, open water Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Open bog Coniferous bog Open bog Alder thicket Open bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Open bog Alder thicket Coniferous swamp Alder thicket Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Hardwood swamp Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Shrub-Carr Coniferous bog Open bog Alder thicket Shrub-Carr Coniferous bog Open bog Coniferous bog Hardwood swamp Coniferous bog Alder thicket Alder thicket Alder thicket Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Alder thicket 1.2 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Misc Information\BaselineWetlands_MineSite F -Mine Site Summary_

76 Appendix F Wetland Summary - Mine Site Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 591 Alder thicket Deep marsh Shrub-Carr Coniferous swamp Hardwood swamp Coniferous swamp Hardwood swamp Coniferous swamp Open bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Open bog Hardwood swamp Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Open bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Alder thicket Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Alder thicket Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Alder thicket Shrub Shrub Lake Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Shrub Shrub Deep marsh Shallow marsh Coniferous swamp Coniferous swamp Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub 24.2 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Misc Information\BaselineWetlands_MineSite F -Mine Site Summary_

77 Appendix G Tailings Basin Area Wetland Summary

78 Camp Eight Creek 478 Sec. 16 Sec. 15 Sec Sec. 13 Sec. 18 Sec. 17 Sec. 16 Sec Sec. 14 Sec. 13 Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 3:49:05 AM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Appendix G-1 Tailings Basin Area Wetland IDs.mxd User: arm2 T59R15 Sec. 5 T59R15 Sec. 8 Sec Sec Sec. 28 Sec. 27 Sec Sec. 25 Sec. 30 Sec Sec Sec. 33 Sec Sec. 34 Sec. 34 Sec Sec Sec Sec T59R15 Sec. 4 T59R15 Sec. 9 Imagery Source: FSA, T59R15 Sec. 3 Sec T59R15 Sec Sec T59R15 Sec. 2 T59R15 Sec. 11 T59R15 Sec Embarrass River Sec T59R15 Sec Sec. 19 T59R14 Sec T59R14 Sec Tailings Basin Sec Trimble Creek T59R14 Sec. 5 T59R14 Sec Sec. 21 T59R14 Sec. 4 T59R14 Sec Sec. 22 T59R14 Sec T59R14 Sec Sec Sec. 26 Sec. 35 T59R14 Sec. 2 T59R14 Sec. 11 Spring M ine Creek Sec. 24 Sec. 25 Sec. 36 T59R14 Sec. 1 T59R14 Sec. 12 Spring Mine Creek Tailings Basin Area Section Lines NWI Wetlands Streams Eggers & Reed Wetland Types Shrub swamps (Alder thickets, Shrub-carrs) Coniferous bog Coniferous swamp Deep marsh; Shallow marsh Hardwood swamp Open water (Shallow, open water & lakes) Open bog Sedge meadow; Wet meadow I 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Appendix G-1 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - WETLAND IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota

79 Appendix Table G1 Wetland Summary - Tailings Basin Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 387 Deep marsh Shrub Shrub Shrub Deep marsh Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Sedge/wet meadow Shrub Shrub Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous bog Coniferous bog Shrub Deep marsh Deep marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous swamp Deep marsh Shrub Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Deep marsh Lake Shrub Shallow marsh Deep marsh Shallow marsh Deep marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shrub Shallow, open water Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Shallow marsh Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Shrub Shrub Shrub Shallow marsh Sedge/wet meadow Shallow marsh Sedge/wet meadow Shallow marsh Shrub Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Coniferous bog Shallow, open water Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Shallow marsh Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Coniferous swamp Shallow marsh Shrub Shallow marsh Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shallow marsh Coniferous swamp 13.1 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Report appendices\appendix G - Tailings Basin Area Wetland Summary\Tailings Basin Wetland_Summary_2010_02_15

80 Appendix Table G1 Wetland Summary - Tailings Basin Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 483 Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Shallow, open water Coniferous bog Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Shallow marsh Shrub Coniferous swamp Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Shallow, open water Shrub Deep marsh Deep marsh Shrub Shrub Shrub Shrub Coniferous swamp Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Shallow marsh Shallow marsh Shrub Deep marsh Coniferous swamp Wet meadow Shrub Shallow marsh Coniferous bog Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Shrub Deep marsh Shallow marsh Shrub Shrub Hardwood swamp Coniferous bog Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Shrub Deep marsh Shallow marsh Wet meadow Shrub Wet meadow Coniferous swamp Wet meadow Shrub Wet meadow Shrub Wet meadow Shrub Wet meadow Coniferous swamp Wet meadow Shrub Wet meadow Shallow marsh Wet meadow Coniferous bog Wet meadow Deep marsh Wet meadow Shallow marsh Wet meadow 9.4 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Report appendices\appendix G - Tailings Basin Area Wetland Summary\Tailings Basin Wetland_Summary_2010_02_15

81 Appendix Table G1 Wetland Summary - Tailings Basin Area Wetland ID Eggers & Reed Wetland Type Area (acres) 718 Wet meadow Wet meadow Wet meadow Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Shrub-Carr Coniferous swamp Coniferous swamp Shrub Coniferous swamp Coniferous swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub Shrub Hardwood swamp Coniferous bog Shrub Shrub 54.9 P:\Mpls\23 MN\69\ \WorkFiles\WO 008 Corps Wetlands Permit\Baseline Wetland Type Evaluation\Report appendices\appendix G - Tailings Basin Area Wetland Summary\Tailings Basin Wetland_Summary_2010_02_15

82 PSS1/EM5B PSS1/EM5C PFO4/SSB PFO4/SSB Barr Footer: Date: 3/17/2010 3:53:01 PM File: I:\Client\Polymet\Workorders\CPDEIS_Data_Review\Maps\Reports\Wetland_Baseline_Study\Figure G-2 Tailings Basin Area Wetlands Evaluated and NWI.mxd User: arm2 T59R15 Sec. 5 Sec. 16 Sec. 21 Sec Sec. 33 T59R15 Sec. 4 T59R15 T59R15 Sec. 8 Sec. 9 Imagery Source: FSA, Sec. 15 Sec Sec. 27 Sec. 34 T59R15 Sec. 3 T59R15 Sec. 10 Sec Sec Sec. 26 Sec. 35 T59R15 Sec T59R15 Sec. 11 Sec. 13 Embarrass River Sec. 24 Sec. 25 Sec. 36 T59R15 Sec. 1 T59R15 Sec. 12 Sec. 18 Sec. 19 Sec. 30 Sec. 31 T59R14 Sec. 6 T59R14 Sec Sec. 17 Sec. 20 Sec. 29 Trimble Creek Sec. 32 T59R14 Sec. 5 T59R14 Sec Sec. 16 Sec. 21 Sec. 28 Sec. 33 T59R14 Sec. 4 Tailings Basin T59R14 Sec. 9 Camp Eight Creek 318 Sec. 15 Sec. 27 Sec. 22 Sec. 34 T59R14 Sec. 3 T59R14 Sec. 10 PSS1C PSS1/EM5B 796 PFO4B PFO4B PSS/EM5BG PFO/SSBG PFO4/6BG PFO6/4B PFO4/6B PFO/SS1B PFO4/6B PFO4/SSB PFO4BG PSSB PFO4B PFO4/6B PFO/SS1B PFO4BG PSS1/EM5C PFO/SS1B PSS/EM5B PFO4/6B PSSB PFO4/6B PSSB 615 PSSB Sec. 23 PSSB PFO4BG PFO4B PFO4/6BG Sec. 24 PFO4BG PFO4/6BG PFO4/6B PSS/EM5B PFO/SSB PFO4BG PFO/SSBG PFO6/SS1B PFO/SSBG PFO4BG PFO4BG PSS/EM5B PFO/EM5B PFO4/6B PFO4/6B L2UBKH PSSBG PFO1B PEM/UBFH Sec. 14 PFO4/SSB PFO/SSB PSS1/EM5B PFO4/SSBG PFO4BG PFO5/UBFH PEM5B PSS/EM5B PSSBG PFO/SSBG PEM5B PSS/EM5BG PFO6B Sec. 35 T59R14 Sec. 2 PSS/EM5B PSS/EM5EB PFO6/SS1B PSS/EM5B PFO/SSBG PFO6/SS1B PFO4/6B Sec. 13 PEM5/UBF PFO4/SSBG PSS/EM5B PFO/SSBG PFO/SSB PFO/SSB PSS/EM5BG PSS/EM5B Sec. 25 Sec. 26 PFO/SSB PFO4/SSBG T59R14 Sec. 11 Sec. 36 T59R14 Sec. 1 Spring Mine Creek T59R14 Sec. 12 Tailings Basin Area Section Lines Wetlands Delineated/Verified Wetlands NWI Wetlands Streams I 3,000 1, ,000 Feet Figure G-2 TAILINGS BASIN AREA - WETLANDS EVALUATED NorthMet Project PolyMet Mining Inc. Hoyt Lakes, Minnesota