The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today released its environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for the proposed development of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community’s new organics recycling facility in Scott County. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has operated an organics recycling facility on trust land since 2011 and plans to build a new, larger facility at a nearby location to meet the increasing demand for composting.
The new facility, which is not on trust land, will be located adjacent to the Dem-Con Landfill in Shakopee. It will process yard and food waste collected from residential and commercial locations into compost. The compost will be sold on its own or blended with inert materials for use in gardening and landscape products.
The EAW reviewed potential impacts to air, local geology, soils, groundwater, surface water, and other potential environmental impacts. Some key findings:
- The MPCA does not anticipate the proposed facility will impact wetland areas, and it is not located in a wellhead protection area. Water that comes into contact with active composting will not be discharged from the project site. According to project plans, it will remain on site and be reused in the process.
- The proposed project will require a water appropriation permit from the Department of Natural Resources to ensure groundwater resources are managed for all uses.
- The proposed facility will require an air permit from the MPCA to ensure emissions comply with regulations under the federal Clean Air Act.
Construction activities are anticipated to begin in 2023 and are expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Additional construction may take place in the future, dependent on business conditions.
The MPCA invites the public to comment on the EAW. Residents should consider the EAW’s accuracy, potential impacts from the project that warrant further investigation, or the need for an environmental impact statement.
The public can review the draft EAW and submit public comments by visiting www.pca.state.mn.us/public-comments or by mail to:
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
c/o Karen Kromar
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
After the public comment period is complete, the agency will review all comments and determine whether additional environmental review will be necessary. If the agency determines there is no need for additional environmental review, the project will proceed to permitting.