In this publication:
The EQB Monitor is a weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website.
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The Environmental Quality Board is proposing amendments to rules relating to environmental review. This rulemaking will amend rules governing mandatory categories for environmental assessment worksheets (EAW) and environmental impact statements (EIS), definitions to support those categories, responsible governmental unit (RGU) determinations, and categories of exemptions from environmental review. (Revisor’s ID Number R-04157)
2nd HEARING ADDED:
June 26, 2019 5:30 pm-8:30 pm hearing at the Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN 56301
COMMENT PERIOD ADDED:
May 20, 2019 - June 21, 2019 (4:30 pm CST)
How to submit written comments:
- Email: Denise.wilson@state.mn.us and/or Erik.Dahl@state.mn.us with the subject line: "Mandatory Category Rulemaking: Comment"
- OAH's eComment portal: eComments -- comments on the rule or requests for a hearing can be made at this website.
- Mail to:
Environmental Quality Board
Attn: Mandatory Category Rulemaking
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Additional rule timeline updates are available at the EQB rulemaking webpage: https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/content/eqb-mandatory-categories-rulemaking
Project Title: Knife River Reach 4 Restoration Project
Comment Deadline: July 24, 2019
Project Description: The Lake Superior Steelhead Association is proposing to rehabilitate and enhance fisheries habitat within a known trout spawning section of the Knife River. The Knife River Reach 4 Restoration Project will rehabilitate degraded sections of a 6,800 foot stream reach. Stable channel patters will be constructed, eroding stream banks will be stabilized, and revegetation of the riparian zone will occur. The comment period will be from June 24, 2019-
July 24, 2019. A copy of the EAW is available on the Lake County website: http://www.co.lake.mn.us/departments/planning_and_zoning/special_notices.php
Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU): Lake County
RGU Contact Person:
Neva Maxwell
Land Use Specialist
601 3rd Avenue
Two Harbors, MN 55616
218-834-8327
neva.maxwell@co.lake.mn.us
Project Title: Scenic 69kV Transmission Line and Substation
Comment Deadline: July 24, 2019
Project Description: The Proposer, Great River Energy (GRE) proposes to construct a 69kV transmission line connecting to a new substation built by North Itasca Electric Cooperative, Inc. (NIECI). The substation is located northeast of Brush Shanty Lake and would address reliability and low voltage concerns in the Project area. The Project is designed to be a long-term solution, improving electric delivery and providing capacity for new demand and growth for North Itasca Electric Cooperative members.
The EAW can be viewed on the DNR website at: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/69kv-transmission-line-substation/index.html
Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU): Department of Natural Resources
RGU Contact Person:
Cynthia Novak-Krebs
Environmental Planner
500 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-259-5115
cynthia.novak-krebs@state.mn.us
The noted responsible governmental unit has determined the following project does not require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. The dates given are, respectively, the date of the determination and the date the Environmental Assessment Worksheet notice was published in the EQB Monitor.
- Department o f Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, Giants Ridge Mountain Bike Park, 6-17-19 (5-6-19)
- Department o f Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, Redhead Mountain Bike Park, 6-17-19 (5-6-19)
- Cass County Environmental Services, Big Sandy Beach at Big Sand Lake, 5-13-19
(3-4-19)
Project Title: Burnsville Sanitary Landfill Expansion Project 2019
Comment Deadline: July 24, 2019
Project Description: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is public noticing a draft Scoping Document for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for this project. Burnsville Sanitary Landfill, Inc. (BSL) to expand its currently-permitted 25.4 million cubic yard capacity to an ultimate capacity of approximately 47 million cubic yards. The proposed expanded landfill is projected to operate for an additional 41 years to 2061. BSL will increase the finished height of the facility from currently-permitted 821.5 foot peak elevation to proposed 1,082 peak elevation, an approximate 260-foot vertical expansion.
The MPCA is holding a public meeting to gather suggestions on the scope of the Burnsville Sanitary Landfill SEIS on Wednesday, July 10th from 7 to 9:00 p.m. at the Burnsville City Hall, Dakota Community Rooms, located at 100 Civic Center Parkway. There will also be an open house, prior to the formal meeting, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. to give the public an opportunity to talk one-on-one with MPCA staff. The formal public meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with a brief presentation by Burnsville Sanitary Landfill that will explain the changes that are being proposed at the landfill. This will be followed by a short presentation from MPCA staff that will explain the process by which the SEIS will be created, and other points at which the public will be able to comment on the proposal. Time will be reserved questions and answers as well as more open house time after the formal presentation. A copy of the Draft Scoping Document will be posted on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website, at the following: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
The Project, as proposed, is subject to environmental review pursuant to Minn. R. 4400 subp. 14 (E) for expansion by 25 percent or more of previous capacity of a mixed municipal solid waste disposal facility for 100,000 cubic yards or more of waste fill per year.
The MPCA, as the designated Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review for the proposed Project, has determined the Project will require a SEIS and is a phased action pursuant to Minn. R. 4410.3000 subp. 3(C) whenever an EIS has been prepared for one or more phases of a phased action or one or more components of a connected action and a later phase or another component is proposed for approval or implementation that was not evaluated in the initial EIS and will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement.
Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU): Pollution Control Agency
RGU Contact Person:
Kevin Kain
Project Manager
520 Lafayette Rd N
St. Paul, MN 55106
651-757-2482
kevin.kain@state.mn.us
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