Contact: Cori Rude-Young, 651-757-2680
St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed construction of the East Bethel sanitary sewer collection system. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality, and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Sept. 20, 2010.
The sanitary sewer collection system will be constructed in five phases through the year 2030 and beyond. The first three phases, with a total peak flow capacity of 9.8 million gallons, are slated to begin construction in late 2010, 2015 and 2020, respectively. Future phases will be constructed after 2030, and the system will ultimately serve the city of East Bethel, as well as the Oak Grove and Ham/Lake/Andover areas. The MCES East Bethel Facility is undergoing separate but concurrent environmental review, and the EAW for that project is also available for public comment at this time.
The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. During the 30-day period it is open to public review and comment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2010, to Nancy Drach, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN, 55155-4194, by e-mail to nancy.drach@state.mn.us, or by fax to 651-297-2343.
The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed.
A copy of the draft EAW is available for review at:
-- MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
-- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
Copies of the EAW may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-296-6300. Questions about the project can be directed to Nancy Drach at 651-757-2317 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.
Written comments must include the following:
- A statement of your interest in the draft EAW;
- A statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including references to specific sections; and
- Specific reasons supporting your position.
