According to the Herald-Dispatch, which spoke to Nucor vice president and general manager John Farris, the need to relocate more than 100,000 endangered mussels up river from the mill site is slowing progress. But work is ongoing, and officials from throughout the state have been helpful, Farris said. 

“We have a great relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and we cannot thank the state's federal, state and local officials enough for their support and help with this project," he said. 

While federal permits are pending, state permits have been received, the newspaper said.