Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Cathy Rofshus, 507-206-2608 Rochester, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for the city of Pine Island's proposed construction of a wastewater collection system to service the Elk Run development area in Olmsted County. Comments will be accepted through May 6, 2009. The city of Pine Island proposes to build a new high-capacity wastewater collection system to carry wastewater from the mixed-use Elk Run development to the city's wastewater treatment facility. The project would include building a large capacity arterial pipeline, lift station, force-main, gravity and large-capacity collector pipelines. The Elk Run development was previously reviewed through a separate procedure known as an Alternative Urban Review Area process. The EAW provides basic information about how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment and helps determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Interested parties may comment on the EAW during the public notice period April 6 to May 6. Written comments must be received at the MPCA St. Paul Office by 4:30 p.m. on May 6, 2009. Copies of the Pine Island Collection System EAW are available at the:
-- MPCA Rochester Office, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E.
-- MPCA St. Paul Office, 520 Lafayette Road North
-- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html. Send questions and comments on the proposed Pine Island Collection System to Nancy Drach, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155. Ms. Drach can be reached by phone at 651-757-2317, by fax at 651-297-2343 or by e-mail at nancy.drach@pca.state.mn.us.