10/30/2002 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Chapter Item -by -item guidance Item -by -item guidance This chapter provides guidance for each item of the Environmen- tal Assessment Worksheet, developed by the Environmental Quality Board and revised in 1999. If an answer does not fit in the available space on the printed six -page worksheet, provide or complete the response on an additional sheet of paper and attach to the form; include the question number next to the response. An electronic version of the worksheet is available online from the Environmental Quality Board home page at www.mnplan.state.mn.us. 1. Project title Indicate what kind of project is involved, such as residential sub- division, gravel mine or county road resurfacing; its specific identification and location. For example: Joe Smith Gravel Mine, Lincoln Township. 2. Proposer Self - explanatory. 3. RGU The Responsible Govemmental Unit should only give an e-mail address if it intends to accept comments electronically. 4. Reason for EAW preparation Most EAWs are prepared because of mandatory requirements and should be noted accordingly. If the EAW is not mandatory, mark an appropriate option to indicate how the EAW process was initiated. If more than one could be said to apply — for instance if a citizen petition was filed but the proposer volunteered for an EAW before the RGU acted on the petition — either mark all that apply or none of the items and explain the situation. EIS scoping should be marked only if an EIS is mandatory or the proposer has voluntarily agreed to initiate an EIS. If an EAW or EIS is mandatory, list the citation for the applicable mandatory category(ies) from the EQB rules. The citation can be found in the rules at parts 4410.4300 or 4410.4400 or in Chapter 6 of the Guide to Minnesota Environmental Review Rules. Also, give the name of the category as listed in the rules after the subpart number. 5. Project location Township, range and section numbers are found on deeds, U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps and county highway maps. The county assessor will also have this information. All applicable section numbers should be listed. • Maps may be obtained from map stores or the U.S. Geological Survey; county maps are available from the Minnesota Depart- ment of Transportation or county sources. • Photocopies of maps are perfectly acceptable as long as they are clearly legible; if less than the complete map is copied, be sure that the label of the map is included so reviewers can refer to the original map if necessary. Be sure to clearly mark the project boundaries on the map. • The site plan should provide a graphic "close -up" of the project in sufficient detail to identify the key physical construction features, including roads, utilities, buildings, wells, drainage structures, cut and fill areas, materials or waste storage areas, parking lots and project boundaries. Significant natural features should also be indicated. Note: Some items on the EAW form ask that specific features be noted on the site plan. 6. Description This is the single most important item in the EAW, and care should be taken to ensure that it is completed thoroughly and accurately. Additional sheets should be added to the EAW as needed to provide a complete response. • a. Summary for publication in the EQB Monitor. Submitted by the RGU, this should be a concise statement of the project's basic nature, characteristics and location, which the EQB staff can print verbatim in the EQB Monitornotice of the EAW. It should not exceed 50 words. • b. The description should be focused on aspects of the project that may directly or indirectly manipulate, alter or impact the physical environment. This can include: construction methods, especially in regard to site preparation; operational features, especially in regard to waste production and management and in some cases such as mining activities, project dosure actions. The EAW description should not include information that serves only to justify or promote the project, and is otherwise irrelevant to the EAW process. The purpose of the EAW is to identify and assess environmental impacts. • c. This item was added to the EAW in the 1997 rule amend- ments. For private projects, state the purpose of the project. For public projects, state the purpose and in addition, explain why the project is needed and describe who will benefit from the project. This information was added to assist reviewers in identifying appropriate mitigation. Without a clear idea of the project's goals, it is difficult to assess whether changes in process, scale or design that may be environmentally superior would also meet the goals. 6 EAW Guidelines