Application Phase: One Stop
Assistance
For assistance with the Application Phase, contact Rocky Sisk at 651-757-2173 or rocky.sisk@state.mn.us.
What is the application phase?
When you are ready to apply for a permit. When you need help in determining if and which permits to get. The One-Stop program helps businesses navigate through the various environmental regulations they may face in the expansion or creation of their business. The goal is to make regulatory compliance a smoother, friendlier, more efficient experience for Minnesota businesses.
What to expect
Under the application phase the MPCA Liaison (Rocky Sisk) serves as a central contact point and coordinator between the company and regulatory staff for new construction or modification projects with an environmental impact. The key steps in the application process are as follows:
P2 tips:
Air compressors: Routinely check your system for leaks. A distribution system under 100 psig of pressure, running 40 hrs/week, with the equivalent of a ¼ inch diameter leak will lose compressed air at a rate of over 100 cfm—costing over $2,800 per year (MnTAP).
Step 1: Initial contact. A project representative contacts the MPCA Liaison and in most cases is contacted back within 24 hours. The project is discussed in enough detail to understand the potential environmental impact, with rough timelines for projected permit and environmental review processes.
Step 2: Initial meeting(s). For complex or out-of-the-ordinary projects the MPCA Liaison may meet with project representatives to review the scope of the proposal in greater detail. At this meeting the MPCA Liaison may bring in other staff if needed to assist in identifying regulatory requirements and potential opportunities for pollution prevention.
Regulatory assistance. Between Initial Contact (step 1) and the Scoping Meeting (step 3) the MPCA Liaison will coordinate regulatory assistance and pollution-prevention assistance. During this time period the project representatives will be developing the necessary documents and applications needed to start the environmental permitting process.
Step 3: Scoping meeting. When project representatives have complete applications and documents ready for submittal a scoping meeting is scheduled by the MPCA Liaison. At this meeting, project representatives overview the proposed project, and MPCA media representatives impacted (air, storm water, etc.) are present to ask clarifying questions and address concerns. Points of contact for the company and the MPCA programs are identified, and a permit approval timeline is discussed.
Step 4: Monitor project progress and evaluate. During this period the MPCA Liaison monitors the process and facilitates the project moving forward to the decision point smoothly.
Benefits
- Central point of contact for all environmental programs
- Identification of environmental requirements that apply to the project
- Advocate to foresee and overcome potential barriers in the environmental permitting process
- Ability to identify and meet with the key program/media contacts for your project
- Identification of a permit and environmental review timeframe
How do I reduce my regulatory burden?
MPCA encourages its customers first to consider long-term process improvements and best management practices that reduce or eliminate waste before it is generated in commercial and industrial scenarios. Reducing your emissions and wastes has the potential to lower your regulatory obligations. See the MPCA Pollution Prevention and Sustainability Toolkit and the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Pollution Prevention Web Page for more information.
