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Environmental Review

Environmental review looks at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment and ways to avoid or minimize impacts before the project is permitted and built. Environmental review can be a one or two-step process - the shorter, less detailed Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) or the longer, more complex and detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

Environmental Streamlining Report and public participation process

The 2009 Legislature required the MPCA to prepare a report on streamlining Minnesota’s environmental review process while maintaining or improving air, land, and water quality standards.  Part of the requirement was to consult with stakeholders, to which end the MPCA held a public informational meeting on September 29, 2009.  The MPCA is seeking written submissions of ideas and alternatives to streamline the environmental review process through the end of October, 2009.  The links below contain more information related to this effort. 

• Public Notice in the EQB Monitor
• Handouts from September 29th meeting:
  • Slide presentation
  • April 2007 EQB Tech Rep Report
  • Comment Form
• Public comments received Note: this document will be updated if further comments are received
• Environmental Review Streamlining Report
  • Environmental Review Streamlining Report Attachments 1 - 8

Questions about this process may be directed to Susan Heffron, 651-757-2417 or  susan.heffron@state.mn.us; Craig Affeldt, 651-757-2181 or craig.affeldt@state.mn.us; or Joe Henderson, 651-757-2424 or joe.henderson@state.mn.us.

About Environmental Review

Two key components of environmental review are:

1. a multi-program analysis of a proposed project's environmental effects, and
2. a public comment process.

The environmental review process operates according to the rules of the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) but is carried out by a local government unit or a state agency, which is termed the "responsible governmental unit" or RGU. The MPCA is the RGU for the following kinds of projects that qualify by size or type under the EQB rules:

• wastewater treatment plants and major sewer extensions.
• industrial projects, such as paper mills, printing plants, ethanol plants, oil refineries, and hazardous-waste storage, treatment or disposal facilities.
• animal feedlots (based on number of animal units and type of confinement).
• solid waste facilities, such as landfills, incinerators, compost plants, and transfer stations.

The following documents and links can help you learn more about the environmental review process.

MPCA Resources

• Environmental Reviews: Before a Project Starts (fact sheet)
  
• How to Prepare an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the MPCA (factsheet)
  
• Petitioning for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (flowchart)
  
• Preparing an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (flowchart)
  
• Preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (flowchart)
• Assessing Cumulative Potential Effects in Environmental Assessment Worksheets (factsheet)
  
• Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) form
• When is Environmental Review Required for Feedlots?
  
• Alternative EAW for Animal Feedlots form
• General Guidance for Carbon Footprint Development in Environmental Review
• Guidelines for Alternative EAW form for Feedlots
  
• Environmental Assessment Worksheets Web page. On this page, you can access:
  • Current MPCA EAWs open for review and comment
• Calculating Air Emission Increases for EAW Applicability
• Air Emissions Risk Analysis Guidance

Environmental Quality Board Resources

• Environmental Quality Board's general environmental review Web page, where you can access:
  • Guide to Minnesota Environmental Review Rules
  • EAW Guidelines: Preparing Environmental Assessment Worksheets
  • EQB Monitor, a bi-weekly publication
  • Environmental Quality Board rules (Chapter 4410)

More Information

For more information about the MPCA's Environmental Review Program, contact Craig Affeldt at 651-757-2181.