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Page 9 <br /> <br />IV. DECISION REGARDING NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />STATEMENT <br />Minnesota Rule 4410.1700 provides that an environmental impact statement shall be ordered for <br />projects that have the potential for significant environmental effects. In deciding whether a <br />project has the potential for significant environmental effects, the following factors shall be <br />considered: <br />A. Type, extent, and reversibility of environmental impacts <br />The City of Lake Elmo finds that the analysis completed for the EAW is adequate to determine <br />whether the project has the potential for significant environmental effects. <br />The EAW described the type and extent of impacts to the natural and built environment <br />anticipated to result from the proposed project. This document provides any corrections, <br />changes, and new information since the EAW was published. The proposed design for the <br />project includes features to mitigate the identified impacts. <br />B. Cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects <br />This topic was addressed throughout the EAW and in Item 19. Cumulative effects associated <br />with the Proposed Project are essentially the effects of continued growth and development. <br />This can have both positive and negative effects on the human and natural environment. The <br />largest impact to this parcel is an increase in impervious surfaces. Through responsible <br />development and using best management practices, the negative impacts can be minimized. <br />Through the increase in traffic and impervious surfaces, and adding facilities with heating and <br />cooling systems, there may be a minimal increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is <br />unlikely this will grossly increase the regional impacts from climate change. Best management <br />practices during the construction process, use of energy-efficient building materials and <br />appliances, and the addition of native landscape vegetation and tree species may help offset <br />impacts from increased GHG emissions. <br />C. The extent to which the environmental effects are subject to mitigation by <br />ongoing public regulatory authority <br />There are several Federal, State, and local permits required to ensure that specific <br />environmental effects are mitigated. The mitigation of environmental impacts will be designed <br />and implemented in coordination with regulatory agencies and will be subject to permitting <br />processes. Permits and approvals that have been or may be required prior to project <br />construction include: <br />Government Agency Type of Application/Permit Status <br />State Agencies