TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW

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1 TABLE OF CONTENTS OVERVIEW Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Acronyms/Abbreviations Glossary Executive Summary 1.0 Introduction 2.0 EIS Development 3.0 Proposed Action and Alternatives 4.0 Affected Environment 5.0 Environmental Consequences 6.0 Cumulative Effects 7.0 Comparison of Alternatives and Other NEPA Considerations 8.0 Major Differences of Opinion List of Preparers List of References Index Appendix A Thematic Responses to DEIS Comments Appendix B Underground Mining Alternative Assessment for the NorthMet Mining Project and Land Exchange Environmental Impact Statement Appendix C Tribal Agency Position Supporting Materials TABLE OF CONTENTS i NOVEMBER 2013

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES... xv LIST OF FIGURES... xxxix LIST OF ACRONYMS/ABBREVIATIONS... li GLOSSARY... lv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... ES INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW NorthMet Project Land Exchange EIS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Co-lead Agencies Cooperating Agencies Other Agencies PURPOSE AND NEED Applicant s Purpose and Need Statement Co-lead Agencies Purpose and Need Statements NorthMet Project and Land Exchange Purpose and Need Statement United States Forest Service United States Army Corps of Engineers Minnesota Department of Natural Resources REGULATORY FRAMEWORK National Environmental Policy Act Overview Alternatives Minnesota Environmental Policy Act Overview Alternatives Land Exchange Requirements Other Permits and Requirements Financial Assurance TABLE OF CONTENTS iii NOVEMBER 2013

4 1.5 PURPOSE OF THE SDEIS ORGANIZATION OF THE SDEIS CONSTITUENTS OF INTEREST EIS DEVELOPMENT INTRODUCTION DEIS DEVELOPMENT NorthMet Project Scoping Identification of Issues DEIS Proposed Action and Alternatives Impact Analysis DEIS Publication Comment Period and Public Meetings Receipt and Review of Public and Agency Comments SDEIS DEVELOPMENT Co-lead Agency Decision to Prepare an SDEIS Addition of the Land Exchange NorthMet Project Project Modifications Revised Proposed Action and Alternatives Impact Analysis Land Exchange Land Exchange Scoping Identification of Issues Proposed Action and Alternatives Impact Assessment FEIS DEVELOPMENT Development of the FEIS Adequacy Determination/Records of Decision PROJECT PERMITTING FINANCIAL ASSURANCE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES INTRODUCTION NorthMet Project Proposed Action Overview Site Preparation and Construction Overview TABLE OF CONTENTS iv NOVEMBER 2013

5 Mine Site Layout Overview Mine Operations Overview Transportation and Utility Corridor Overview Plant Site Layout Overview Plant Operations Overview Project Closure Overview NorthMet Project Proposed Action Alternatives Overview Land Exchange Overview Land Exchange Proposed Action Alternatives Overview NORTHMET PROJECT PROPOSED ACTION DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview NorthMet Project Proposed Action Mine Site Transportation and Utility Corridor Plant Site Financial Assurance Alternatives Process Overview NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Development of the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Reconsideration of Previously Eliminated Alternatives Identification of New Alternatives LAND EXCHANGE PROPOSED ACTION DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview Development of Land Exchange Proposal Land Exchange Proposed Action Federal Lands Proposed for Exchange Non-federal Lands Proposed for Exchange Land Exchange Proposed Action Alternatives Land Exchange No Action Alternative Land Exchange Alternative B Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Analysis AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION NORTHMET PROJECT PROPOSED ACTION TABLE OF CONTENTS v NOVEMBER 2013

6 4.2.1 Land Use Regulatory Considerations Mine Site Transportation and Utility Corridor Plant Site Water Resources Regional Setting Partridge River Watershed Embarrass River Watershed Wetlands Mine Site and Transportation and Utility Corridor Plant Site Vegetation Regional Setting Mine Site Transportation and Utility Corridor Plant Site Wildlife Mine Site Plant Site and Transportation and Utility Corridor Aquatic Species Upper Partridge River Watershed Whitewater Reservoir and Colby Lake Embarrass River Watershed Mercury Concentrations in Fish Air Quality Regional Climate and Meteorology Local and Regional Air Quality Noise and Vibration Regional Setting Mine Site Plant Site Cultural Resources Introduction Cultural Resources TABLE OF CONTENTS vi NOVEMBER 2013

7 Cultural Identity: Natural Resources as Cultural Resources Socioeconomics Mine Site, Transportation and Utility Corridor, Plant Site Recreation and Visual Resources Mine Site Transportation and Utility Corridor Plant Site Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas Federally Managed Areas State Managed Areas Hazardous Materials Geotechnical Stability Waste Rock Stockpiles Tailings Basin Hydrometallurgical Residue Facility LAND EXCHANGE Land Use Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Water Resources Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Wetlands Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Vegetation Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Wildlife Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Aquatic Species Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Air Quality TABLE OF CONTENTS vii NOVEMBER 2013

8 Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Noise and Vibration Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Cultural Resources Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Socioeconomics Economic Activity Recreation Other Socioeconomic Characteristics Recreation and Visual Resources Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas Federal Lands Non-federal Lands Hazardous Materials Geotechnical Stability ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES INTRODUCTION NORTHMET PROJECT PROPOSED ACTION Land Use Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Water Resources Evaluation Criteria Methodology NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Wetlands Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action TABLE OF CONTENTS viii NOVEMBER 2013

9 NorthMet Project Proposed Action Avoidance, Minimization, Mitigation, and Monitoring Measures NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Vegetation Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Wildlife Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Aquatic Species Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Air Quality Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Mitigation Measures Amphibole Mineral Fibers Noise and Vibration Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Cultural Resources Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Overview Affected Cultural Resources Socioeconomics Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Recreation and Visual Resources Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative TABLE OF CONTENTS ix NOVEMBER 2013

10 Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Hazardous Materials Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action Potential Mitigation Measures NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Geotechnical Stability Methodology and Evaluation Criteria NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project No Action Alternative LAND EXCHANGE Land Use Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Water Resources Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Wetlands Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Vegetation Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Wildlife Methodology and Evaluation Criteria TABLE OF CONTENTS x NOVEMBER 2013

11 Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Aquatic Species Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Air Quality Noise and Vibration Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Cultural Resources Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Socioeconomics Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Recreation and Visual Resources Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas Methodology and Evaluation Criteria Land Exchange Proposed Action Land Exchange Alternative B Land Exchange No Action Alternative Hazardous Materials TABLE OF CONTENTS xi NOVEMBER 2013

12 Geotechnical Stability CUMULATIVE EFFECTS INTRODUCTION NORTHMET PROJECT PROPOSED ACTION Cumulative Effects Analysis Approach Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions and Projects Brief Description of Cumulative Actions Considered Cumulative Effects by Resource Introduction Land Use Water Resources Wetlands Vegetation Wildlife Aquatic Species Air Quality Noise and Vibration Cultural Resources Socioeconomics Recreation and Visual Resources Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas Hazardous Materials Geotechnical Stability LAND EXCHANGE PROPOSED ACTION Baseline Conditions Cumulative Forest Service Land Actions Cook County Land Exchange Crane Lake Land Exchange Fall Lake Land Acquisition Wolf Island Phase 2 Land Acquisition (Domine Phase 2) Approach Resource-Specific Assessment Land Use Water Resources Wetlands TABLE OF CONTENTS xii NOVEMBER 2013

13 Vegetation Wildlife Aquatic Species Socioeconomics Recreation and Visual Resources COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES AND OTHER NEPA CONSIDERATIONS INTRODUCTION COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES Proposed Connected Actions Proposed Connected Actions Alternative B No Action Alternative Comparison of Effects OTHER NEPA CONSIDERATIONS Irreversible or Irretrievable Commitment of Resources Short-Term Uses versus Long-Term Productivity of the Environment Unavoidable Adverse Effects PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE MAJOR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION SUMMARY INTRODUCTION MAJOR DIFFERENCES OF OPINION TRIBAL AGENCY APPENDIX SUPPORTING INFORMATION FOR TRIBAL COMMENTS LIST OF PREPARERS... PREP-1 LIST OF REFERENCES... REF-1 INDEX... IND-1 APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C THEMATIC RESPONSES TO DEIS COMMENTS UNDERGROUND MINING ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT FOR THE NORTHMET MINING PROJECT AND LAND EXCHANGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TRIBAL AGENCY POSITION SUPPORTING MATERIALS TABLE OF CONTENTS xiii NOVEMBER 2013

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15 LIST OF TABLES Table Government Permits and Approvals for the Proposed Connected Actions Table Constituents of Interest Discussed in the SDEIS Table Summary of the NorthMet Project Proposed Action and the NorthMet Project No Action Alternative Table Key Phases and Activities (Mine Site) Table Mine Site Equipment Fleet Table Key Characteristics of Proposed Mining Table Blasting Parameters Table Key Characteristics of the Ore Surge Pile Table Key Characteristics of Overburden and Waste Rock Management Table Waste Rock Categorization Properties Table Summary of the Stockpile Liners and Covers Table Surface Owners Along the Transportation and Utility Corridor Table Design Processing Parameters Table Materials Consumed by the Beneficiation Plant Process Table Materials Consumed by the Hydrometallurgical Plant Process Table Plant Site Services Table Preliminary Cost Estimate for Closure Table Comparison of DEIS and SDEIS NorthMet Project Proposed Action Table Previous NorthMet Project Alternatives Screened for the SDEIS Table MEPA Alternatives Types Considered for the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Table Summary of the Land Exchange Proposed Action Alternatives Table Legal Description and Acreage of Parcels Included in the Land Exchange Proposed Action LIST OF TABLES xv NOVEMBER 2013

16 Table Resource Topic Areas Discussed in Chapter Table Table Land Use Controls Affecting the NorthMet Project Proposed Action NorthMet Project Proposed Action Area of Concern Summary List for Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Program Table Non-NorthMet Project Areas of Concern Status Table Table Normal Monthly and Annual Average Air Temperature and Precipitation Near the NorthMet Project Impaired Waters within the Embarrass River and Partridge River Watersheds Table Wild Rice Survey and Water Quality Monitoring Results Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Summary of Total Mercury Concentrations in the Partridge River and Embarrass River Watersheds near the Mine Site and Plant Site Bedrock and Surficial Aquifer Hydraulic Conductivity Estimates at the Mine Site Summary of Existing Groundwater Quality Monitoring Data for the NorthMet Mine Site Monthly Statistical Flow Data (cfs) for USGS Gaging Stations in the Partridge River Watershed Modeled Flow Statistics for Various Locations along the Upper Partridge River Comparison of MDNR Winter 2011 Gagings with Modeled 30-day Low Flow Discharges to and Surface Water Withdrawals from the Partridge River Watershed Available Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data in the Partridge River Watershed Comparison of Historic and Recent Mean Water Quality Data for Selected Parameters at Common Monitoring Stations along the Partridge River Baseline Water Quality from the South Branch of the Partridge River LIST OF TABLES xvi NOVEMBER 2013

17 Table Table Average Existing Water Quality Concentrations in the Partridge River Mean Water Quality Data for Longnose Creek, Wetlegs Creek, Wyman Creek, and West Pit Outlet Creek Table Comparison of Colby Lake Elevations over Time Table Comparison of Whitewater Reservoir Elevations over Time Table Summary of Colby Lake Water Quality Data Table Summary of Whitewater Reservoir 2010 Water Quality Data Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Summary of Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data for Station SD Summary of Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data for Station CR Summary of Baseline Groundwater Quality Monitoring Data for the Tailings Basin Area and Two Larger Regional Areas Existing Pond Water and Groundwater Quality at the Tailings Basin Summary of Existing Groundwater Quality Monitoring Data Downgradient from the Existing LTVSMC Tailings Basin Existing Domestic Wells Located Between the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Tailings Area and the Embarrass River Monthly Statistical Flow Data for USGS Embarrass Gaging Stations Plant Site Surface Water Flows for Existing Conditions including Tailings Basin Seepage and Flowpath Discharge Based on Embarrass River Stream Gaging Results Applied to Contributing Watersheds Table NPDES/SDS Discharges to the Embarrass River Watershed Table Table Table Average Existing Water Quality in the Embarrass River, Available Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data in the Embarrass River Main Branch Comparison of Historic and Recent Mean Water Quality Data for Selected Parameters at PM-12 on the Embarrass River LIST OF TABLES xvii NOVEMBER 2013

18 Table Summary of Existing LTVSMC Tailings Basin Surface Seeps Table Table Table Water Quality Monitoring Locations for Tailings Basin Surface Seepage and Receiving Streams Summary of Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data for the Tailings Basin Surface Seeps Summary of Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data for Tailings Basin Streams Tributary to the Embarrass River Table Wetland Classification System Descriptors Table Table Table Table Wetland Acreage by Wetland Community Type for Mine Site, Transportation and Utility Corridor, and Area Key Landscape Factors Influencing Wetland Functional Scores in MnRAM Wetland Functions and Value Assessment for the Mine Site from 2004 and Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for Plant Site, Colby Lake Water Pipeline Corridor, and Area Table NorthMet Mine Site Cover Types Table Table Table Invasive Non-native Plant Species Found on Mine Sites in the Mesabi Iron Range Invasive Non-native Plant Species Found Within 3 Miles of the Mine and Plant Sites by the USFS Road Weed Survey Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plant Species Identified on the Mine Site Table USFS RFSS Plant Species within Superior National Forest Table NorthMet Transportation and Utility Corridor Cover Types Table Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plant Species Identified within the Transportation and Utility Corridor Table NorthMet Plant Site Cover Types Table NorthMet Colby Lake Water Pipeline Corridor Cover Types Table Key Habitat, Cover Types, and Associated Species in the Nashwauk and Laurentian Uplands Subsections at the NorthMet Project Area LIST OF TABLES xviii NOVEMBER 2013

19 Table Federal Land Parcel Surface Water Characteristics Table Table Major Channel Characteristics at Biological Survey Stream Sites in the Partridge River Watershed Average Existing Water Quality Concentrations in the Partridge River Table Fish Species Collected at Six Sites in the NorthMet Project Area Table Table Composition of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages at Six Sites in the Federal Parcel Mussel Species Identified in the Lake Superior Basin, St. Louis River Watershed, Partridge River, and Embarrass River Table Location and Physical Characteristics of Mussel Sample Sites Table Table Table Table Table SGCN and RFSS Species Identified Within Portions of the Laurentian Uplands Nashwauk Uplands Ecoregion or Superior National Forest Fish Species Collected in Colby Lake and Whitewater Reservoir by MDNR Fisheries Surveys Major Channel Characteristics at a Biological and Habitat Survey Stations for Streams within the Vicinity of the Plant Site Fish Species Collected at Sampling Sites within the Vicinity of the Plant Site and Transportation and Utility Corridor Composition of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages for Sites in the Embarrass River Watershed Table Monitored Background Concentrations ( ) Table Decibel Levels of Common Noise Sources Table Typical Outdoor Sound Levels by Land Use Category Table Summary of Estimated Existing Ambient Noise Levels at the Closest Receptors to the NorthMet Project Area, including the BWCAW Table Cultural Resources Identified in the NorthMet Project Area Table Laurentian Uplands and Nashwauk Uplands Subsections Table Species Potentially Harvested in 1854 Ceded Territory LIST OF TABLES xix NOVEMBER 2013

20 Table Table Table Table Cover Types of Associated Species and Resources Regulated by the 1854 Treaty Authority in the NorthMet Project Area Plant Species Found in At Least Three ECS Vegetation Community Types Key Habitat, Cover Types, and Associated Species Regulated by the 1854 Treaty Authority in the NorthMet Project Area Fish Species Regulated by the 1854 Treaty Authority and Collected in the NorthMet Project Area Table Population of Study Area Communities 1980 to Table Age Characteristics of Study Area Residents, Table Racial Characteristics of Study Area Residents, Table Educational Characteristics of Study Area Residents, Table Income and Poverty Characteristics of Study Area Communities in Table At-place Historical Employment by Major SIC Industry in 1980 and Table At-place Employment by Major NAICS Industry in Table Location Quotients for Major NAICS Industries in the Study Area, Table Employment Status of Study Area Communities, Table Employment in Study Area Communities by Occupation Table Employment in Study Area Communities by Industry Table Payroll ($1,000s) by Major NAICS Industry, Table Select Sales and Use Tax Statistics ($1,000s) Table Study Area Housing Unit Characteristics, Table Water and Wastewater Capacity Table Public Safety Table Capacity and Enrollment of Public Schools Table Summary of Seepage and Stability Parameters for the Material at the Existing LTVSMC Tailings Basin LIST OF TABLES xx NOVEMBER 2013

21 Table Table Table Table Summary of Modeling Permeabilities for the Material Relevant to the Hydrometallurgical Residue Facility Summary of Shear Strength Parameters for the Material Relevant to the Hydrometallurgical Residue Facility Management Area Designations for the Federal Lands under the Land Exchange Proposed Action Management Area Designations for the Federal Lands under Land Exchange Alternative B Table Summary of Surface Water and Wild Rice Beds for Federal Lands Table Table Table Summary of Surface Water and Wild Rice Beds for all Land Exchange Proposed Action Tracts Wetland Acreage by Wetland Community Type for the Federal Lands within the Land Exchange Proposed Action and within the Land Exchange Alternative B Wetland Functions and Values Assessment for the Federal Lands Surrounding the Mine Site, Table Total Wetland and Upland Acreage for the Non-federal Lands Table Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for the Non-federal Lands Table Wetland Functional Value Assessment for the Non-federal Lands Table Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for Tract Table Wetland Functional Value Assessment for Tract Table Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for Tract Table Wetland Functional Value Assessment for Tract Table Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for Tract Table Wetland Functional Value Assessment for Tract Table Total Wetland Acreage by Wetland Type for Tract Table Wetland Functional Value Assessment for Tract Table Federal Lands Cover Types Table Management Areas for the Federal Lands LIST OF TABLES xxi NOVEMBER 2013

22 Table Table Table MIH Types and Age Classes (Acres) for the Federal and Nonfederal Lands Landscape Ecosystem Types (Acres) on Federal and Non-federal Lands Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plant Species Identified on the Federal Lands Table Alternative B: Smaller Federal Parcel Cover Types Table Management Areas for the Land Exchange Alternative B Lands Table Table MIH Types and Age Classes (Acres) for the Land Exchange Alternative B Lands Landscape Ecosystem Types (Acres) on the Land Exchange Alternative B Lands and Tract 1 Lands Table Non-federal Lands Cover Types Table Tract 1 Hay Lake Lands Cover Types Table Tract 2 Lake County North Cover Types Table Tract 2 Lake County South Cover Types Table Tract 3 Wolf Lands 1 Cover Types Table Tract 3 Wolf Lands 2 Cover Types Table Tract 3 Wolf Lands 3 Cover Types Table Tract 3 Wolf Lands 4 Cover Types Table Tract 4 Hunting Club Lands Cover Types Table Tract 5 McFarland Lake Lands Cover Types Table Table Table Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Plant Species Identified on the Tract 5 Lands Key Habitat, Cover Types, and Associated Species for the Federal Lands under the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Land Exchange Alternative B Key Habitat and Cover Types of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Regional Forester Sensitive Species for Tract 1 in the Nashwauk Ecological Subsection LIST OF TABLES xxii NOVEMBER 2013

23 Table Table Table Key Habitat and Cover Types of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Regional Forester Sensitive Species for Tract 2 in the Laurentian Uplands and North Shore Highlands Ecological Subsections Key Habitat and Cover Types of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Regional Forester Sensitive Species for Tract 3 in the Laurentian Uplands Ecological Subsection Key Habitat and Cover Types of Species of Greatest Conservation Need and Regional Forester Sensitive Species for Tracts 4 and 5 in the Border Lakes Ecological Subsection Table Alternative B Surface Water Characteristics Table Tract 1 Surface Water Characteristics Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Fish Species Collected at the MPCA Sampling Sites in the Vicinity of the Tract 1 Parcel Benthic Macroinvertebrate Attributes for Aquatic Biota Sampling Site MPCAB_05RN SGCN and RFSS Species Identified Within Portions of the Nashwauk Uplands Ecoregion or Superior National Forest Fish Species Collected at Two Sites in the Vicinity of the Wolf Lands Parcels within the Stony River Benthic Macroinvertebrate Attributes for Aquatic Biota Sampling Sites within the Stony River SGCN and RFSS Species Identified Within Portions of the Laurentian Uplands Ecoregion or Superior National Forest SGCN Species for the Border Lakes Ecoregion and the USFS RFSS Species List Approximate Distances and Direction of Non-federal Lands to Federal Lands and the Plant Site Summary of Estimated Existing Ambient Noise Levels at the Non-federal Lands Table Cultural Resources Identified in the Land Exchange Area Table Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Designations within the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Land Exchange Alternative B LIST OF TABLES xxiii NOVEMBER 2013

24 Table Table Table Scenic Integrity Objective Designations for Lands under the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Land Exchange Alternative B Recreational Opportunity Spectrum Designations in the Vicinity of Non-federal Lands Scenic Integrity Objective Designations in the Vicinity of Non-federal Lands Table Resource Topic Areas Discussed in Chapter Table Beryllium, Manganese, and Thallium Evaluation Criteria Table Table Table Groundwater Evaluation Criteria Applicable to the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Applicable Use Classifications of the Primary Surface Waters in the NorthMet Project Area Surface Water Quality Evaluation Criteria Applicable to the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Table Definition of Terminology used in this SDEIS Table Comparison of DEIS and SDEIS Modeling Approaches Table Table Table Mine Site Hydraulic Conductivities Based on Calibration of the Site MODFLOW Model and Field Testing Mine Site Surficial Groundwater Flowpaths used in GoldSim Based on Deterministic Run with P50 Inputs Plant Site Hydraulic Conductivity and Specific Yield Based on MODFLOW Calibration Table Plant Site Recharge Based on MODFLOW Calibration Table Table Table Table Plant Site Groundwater Flowpaths Based on Deterministic and P50 Inputs Mine Site Surface Water Flows for Existing Conditions Based on XP-SWMM Model Results Adjusted to Match USGS Stream Gaging Data Plant Site Surface Water Flows for Existing Conditions including Tailings Basin Seepage and Flowpath Release Based on Embarrass River Stream Gauging Results Applied to Contributing Watersheds Definition of Fate and Transport Mechanism Terminology used in this SDEIS LIST OF TABLES xxiv NOVEMBER 2013

25 Table Comparison of Site-specific and Literature Sorption Values at the Mine Site Table Tailings Basin Facilities Table Table Tailings Basin Solute Source Subareas used in GoldSim for Closure Groundwater Inflows and Outflows at the Mine Pits Based on MODFLOW Results Table Mine Site Solute Source Areas used in GoldSim Table Summary of Waste Rock Stockpile Properties Table Solute Migration Times for Mine Site Groundwater Flowpaths Table Table Table Table Table Table Mine Site Groundwater Maximum P90 Solute Concentration Over Entire 200-Year Simulation Period Based on the GoldSim Probabilistic Model Maximum Relative Groundwater Concentration Change (NorthMet Project Proposed Action/Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario, Maximum 90 th Percentile values) for Mine Site Surficial Flowpaths Total Watershed Area (acres) and Percent Watershed Area Reduction for the Partridge River Resulting from the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Modeled Percent Change in Selected Streamflow Parameters at Selected Locations in the Partridge River Pit Outflow and Liner/Equalization Basin Leakage into Groundwater Flowpaths (Based on GoldSim Deterministic Run with P50 Inputs) Mine Site Process Water Flows to the Wastewater Treatment Facility Table Wastewater Treatment Facility Preliminary Water Quality Targets Table Culpability Analysis Using Copper and Sulfate at SW-004a Table Mine Site Surface Water Maximum P90 Solute Concentration Over Entire 200-Year Simulation Period Based on the GoldSim Probabilistic Model LIST OF TABLES xxv NOVEMBER 2013

26 Table Table Table Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for NorthMet Project Proposed Action and Continuance of Existing Conditions Modeled Concentrations at SW-004a for Selected Key Constituents, Year Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Concentrations at SW-004a for Selected Key Constituents, Year Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Concentrations at SW-004a for Selected Key Constituents, Year Table Maximum P90 Surface Water Concentrations for Colby Lake Table Estimated Times for Affected Water to Reach the Partridge River Table Table Table NorthMet Project Proposed Action Tailings Basin Seepage (gpm) During Operations NorthMet Project Proposed Action Tailings Basin Seepage during Closure Maximum P90 Concentrations over 500-year Model Simulation Period at All Groundwater Evaluation Points along Modeled Flowpaths in the Plant Site Surficial Aquifer (NorthMet Project Proposed Action) Table Annual Average Flow Conditions in the Tributaries Table Table Table Table Table Determination of Combined Flow Requirement from the WWTP and Colby Lake Augmentation Flows and Sources to Tributaries for Various Time Periods Plant Site Tributary Surface Water Maximum P90 Solute Concentration Over Entire 500-Year Simulation Period Based on GoldSim Probabilistic Model Plant Site Embarrass River Surface Water Maximum P90 Solute Concentration Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for NorthMet Project Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Modeled Concentrations at PM-13 for Selected Key Constituents, Operations (Year 12) LIST OF TABLES xxvi NOVEMBER 2013

27 Table Table Table Table Table Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for NorthMet Project Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Modeled Concentrations at PM-13 for Selected Key Constituents, Reclamation (Year 24) Comparison of the P10, P50, and P90 Values for NorthMet Project Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Modeled Concentrations at PM-13 for Selected Key Constituents, Closure (Year 200) Comparison of Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent and Colby Lake Water Quality Maximum P90 Aluminum Concentrations (μg/l) for Embarrass River Tributaries and Embarrass River for Various Conditions Total Mercury Concentration Data from Natural Lakes and Mine Pits in Northeastern Minnesota Table Initial and Final Parameter Values for the Mercury Mass Balance Table Table Table Summary of Estimated Mercury-Loading (Inputs) and Losses (Outputs) for the West Pit Lake (Mine Year 20 to about Mine Year 40) Estimated Mercury Concentration of the Combined Inflows to the Plant Site WWTP Overview of Monitoring Plans within the Partridge River Watershed Table Overview of Monitoring Plans for the Embarrass River Watershed Table Table Table Table Total Projected Direct Wetland Effects at the Mine Site and the Transportation and Utility Corridor Type of Projected Direct Wetland Effects at the Mine Site and the Transportation and Utility Corridor Wetlands Crossing Analog Impact Zones Resulting from Potential Changes in Hydrology Wetlands Within Analog Impact Zones Resulting from Potential Changes in Hydrology Table Potential Wetland Community Changes Due to Drawdown Table Wetlands Abutting the Partridge River LIST OF TABLES xxvii NOVEMBER 2013

28 Table Wetlands within the Mine Site Groundwater Flowpaths Table Total Projected Direct Wetland Effects for the Plant Site Table Type of Projected Direct Wetland Effects at the Plant Site Table Wetlands within the Plant Site Flowpaths Table Table Table Table Table Table Determination of Combined Flow Requirement for the Watersheds from the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Colby Lake Wetlands Abutting Unnamed Creek, Trimble Creek, Mud Lake Creek, and Second Creek Wetland Areas Potentially Indirectly Affected by Changes in Water Quality Total Projected Direct Wetland Effects for the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Type of Projected Direct Wetland Effects for the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Summary of Projected Potential Indirect Wetland Effects for the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Table Summary of Wetland Mitigation Ratios Table Summary of Proposed Wetland Mitigation Credits Table Table Summary of Proposed Wetland Mitigation for Direct Effects Utilizing USACE Credits Summary of Proposed Wetland Mitigation for Direct Effects Utilizing Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act Credits Table Direct Effects on Cover Types at the Mine Site Table Table Table Table Proposed Vegetation Types and Acreages for Reclaimed Stockpiles and Pits at the Mine Site Effects on Known State-listed ETSC Plant Populations in the Vicinity of the Mine Site, Including the Transportation and Utility Corridor Direct Effects on Cover Types at the Transportation and Utility Corridor Effects on Known State-listed ETSC Plant Populations in the Transportation and Utility Corridor LIST OF TABLES xxviii NOVEMBER 2013

29 Table Direct Effects on Cover Types at the Plant Site Table Vehicle Traffic within the Mine Site Only Table Vehicular and Train Traffic Volume along the Transportation and Utility Corridor Table Direct Effects on Key Habitat Types Table Table Table Partridge River Flow Modeling Results for Evaluation Locations SW-002, SW-004, and SW-004a Maximum Modeled Monthly P90 Surface Water Concentrations for the Partridge River within the Vicinity of the Mine Site Maximum Modeled Monthly P90 Surface Water Concentrations for Colby Lake Table Predicted Minimum Flow to the Embarrass River Tributaries Table NorthMet Project Proposed Action and Continuation of Existing Conditions Scenario Maximum P90 Surface Water Concentrations for the Embarrass River Watershed within the Vicinity of the Plant Site Table Summary of NAAQS and MAAQS Table Summary of Allowable Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class I and Class II Increments Table NorthMet Project Setting Relative to Class I Regions Table Table Table Table Table Table Annual Criteria Air Pollutant Emissions for Prevention of Significant Deterioration-regulated Stationary Sources Annual Air Pollutant Emissions for non-prevention of Significant Deterioration-regulated Mobile Sources and Fugitive Sources Annual Hazardous Air Pollutant Emissions for Prevention of Significant Deterioration-regulated Stationary Sources Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Prevention of Significant Deterioration-regulated Stationary Sources NorthMet Project Proposed Action Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions NorthMet Project Proposed Action Lifetime Greenhouse Gas Emissions LIST OF TABLES xxix NOVEMBER 2013

30 Table Table Highest NorthMet Project Proposed Action Effects and Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class II Significant Impact Limits Results of Class II Prevention of Significant Deterioration Increment Analysis Table Results of Class II NAAQS Modeling Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Summary of Prevention of Significant Deterioration Class I Increment Analysis Class I Area Visibility Results for NorthMet Project Proposed Action (Method 2 Analysis) Class I Area Visibility Results for NorthMet Project Proposed Action (Method 8 Analysis) Terrestrial Effects of Annual Deposition of Sulfur and Nitrogen from the NorthMet Project Proposed Action in Class I Areas Aquatic Effects of Deposition of Sulfur and Nitrogen from the NorthMet Project Proposed Action in Class I National Park Areas Comparison of Projected Class I SO2 Concentrations to Green Line Screening Criteria for Vegetation Effects Chemicals for Evaluation of the Incremental Human Health Risk Assessment for the Mine Site Summary of the Incremental Human Health Risk Assessment for the Mine Site Chemicals for Evaluation of the Incremental Human Health Risk Assessment for the Plant Site Summary of the Incremental Human Health Risk Impacts for the Plant Site Table Applicable Noise Standards for Different Land Uses in Minnesota Table Table Table Maximum Sound Power Levels of Major Equipment and Trucks during Operations at the Mine Site and Plant Site Predicted Noise Levels at Nearest Receptors to Mining and Hauling Operations at Mine Site (excludes Baseline Levels) Predicted Noise Levels at Nearest Receptors to Ore-crushing Operations at Plant Site (excludes Baseline Levels) LIST OF TABLES xxx NOVEMBER 2013

31 Table Table Table Table Table Limiting Distances for Ore and Waste Rock Blasts at Incremental Ground Vibration Levels Limiting Distances for Ore and Waste Rock Blasts at Incremental Airblast Overpressure Levels Total Noise Associated with Concurrent Operations at the Mine Site and Plant Site (includes Baseline Levels) Acres of the Laurentian Uplands and Nashwauk Uplands Subsections Affected by the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Affected Cover Types of Associated Species and Resources Regulated by the 1854 Treaty Authority at the NorthMet Project Area Table Direct Effects on Key Habitat Types Table Comparison of Assumed (IMPLAN) and Actual Commodity Prices Table Summary of IMPLAN Model Results Table Table Table Table Table Estimated Annual NorthMet Project Proposed Action Taxes Paid, 2011 Dollars (millions) Federally Managed Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas located within or Adjacent to the NorthMet Project Area State-Managed Wilderness and Other Special Designation Areas located within or Adjacent to the NorthMet Project Area Hazardous Materials used during Construction, Operation, and Closure Phases of the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Release Probability of Representative Materials Transported during Construction, Operation, and Closure Phases of the NorthMet Project Proposed Action Table Hazardous Material Management Plans Table Stability Modeling Results for the Tailings Basin Table Results of Liquefaction Triggering Analyses for Tailings Basin Table Table Modeled Factors of Safety for Fully Liquefied Conditions for the Tailings Basin Modeled Factors of Safety for Fully Liquefied Long-term Conditions for the Tailings Basin LIST OF TABLES xxxi NOVEMBER 2013

32 Table Table Table Infinite Slope Stability Analysis Results for the Hydrometallurgical Residue Facility Management Area Allocations under the Land Exchange Proposed Action Superior National Forest Boundary, Acreage, and Fragmentation under the Land Exchange Proposed Action Table Mineral Interests and Quality of Title for Non-Federal Lands Table Management Area Allocations under Land Exchange Alternative B Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Table Superior National Forest Boundary, Acreage, and Fragmentation for Land Exchange Alternative B Net Change in Surface Water and Wild Rice Beds to the Federal Estate under the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Alternatives Net Change in Surface Water and Wild Rice Beds to the Federal Estate under the Land Exchange Proposed Action Net Change in Surface Water and Wild Rice Beds to the Federal Estate under Land Exchange Alternative B Net Increase or Decrease of Wetland and Floodplain Acres on the Federal Estate from the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Alternatives Net Increase or Decrease of Wetland Resource Types on the Federal Estate from the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Alternatives Net Increase or Decrease of Frontage of Waterways on the Federal Estate from the Land Exchange Proposed Action and Alternatives Wetland and Floodplain Acres for the Land Exchange Proposed Action Table Wetland Resource Types for the Land Exchange Proposed Action Table Frontage of Waterways for the Land Exchange Proposed Action Table Wetland and Floodplain Acres for Land Exchange Alternative B Table Wetland Resource Types for Land Exchange Alternative B Table Frontage of Waterways for Land Exchange Alternative B LIST OF TABLES xxxii NOVEMBER 2013