Environmental Review Petition Process in Minnesota
Discover the Environmental Review Program in Minnesota, which aims to disclose environmental information, engage the public in decision-making, and provide opportunities for citizens to voice concerns about proposed projects through a standardized petition process. Learn about the program's purpose, characteristics, and the roles of various entities involved in the citizen petition process.
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Presentation Transcript
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PETITION PROCESS Denise Wilson| Director, Environmental Review Program Randall Doneen | Conservation Assistance and Regulation Section Manager www.eqb.state.mn.us
Environmental Review Program Purpose Disclose environmental information and describe potential impacts Lead to voluntary/required modifications, permit conditions or agreements Accountability in public and private decision making Provide public with access to decision makers 3/19/2025 | www.eqb.state.mn.us 2
Environmental Review Program characteristics Broader in scope than permitting Moratorium on all final approvals and construction Projects do not pass or fail environmental review not an approval process Informs project designers early in process Opportunity for citizens to petition their government www.eqb.state.mn.us 3
Environmental Review Petition Process MS 116D.04 subd. 2a/MR 4410.1100 A standardized process for citizens to raise concerns about a proposed project Must provide material evidence and 100 signatures Decision on the need to prepare an Environmental Assessment Worksheet Decisions can be appealed (MS 116D.04 subd.10) 3/19/2025 | www.eqb.state.mn.us 4
Citizen Petition Process: EQBs Role (MR 4410.1100) Subpart 2: Content Description of project Subpart 1: Review Subpart 5: RGU Selection Use 4410.0500 Any Person Proposer Mandatory Category 100 Signatures and addresses Rep. of the petitioners State Agency is the Proposer 5-days Reside/own in MN Brief description of the potential environmental effects Governmental unit with the greatest responsibility for supervising or approving the project as a whole Verify material evidence submitted 3/19/2025 | www.eqb.state.mn.us 5
Citizen Petition Process: RGUs Role (MR 4410.1100) Subpart 6: EAW decision Subpart 8: Notice of decision Evaluate material evidence presented by the petitioners, proposers, and other persons or otherwise known to the RGU Subpart 7: Time limits Notice of decision to Proposer, EQB, Citizen Rep. Decide on the needfor an EAW 15-days 5-days Demonstrates- nature and location-may have potential for significance MS 116D subdiv. 17: DNR and PCA must notify project proposer 14 days ahead of decision Take into account MR 4410.1700 criteria 3/19/2025 | www.eqb.state.mn.us 6
EAW Environmental Assessment Worksheet 6-page worksheet 20 standardized questions Discloses information necessary to decide if an EIS is needed https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/content/eaw-process 3/19/2025 7
EAW process (MR 4410.1000-1700) Determination date noticed in Monitor First environmental review discussions EAW noticed in Monitor Complete data submittal RGU notifies proposer RGU RGU sends EAW to EQB (5 days) 30-day comment period RGU RGU notifies proposer RGU reviews data supplements and approves EAW (30 days) Pre-submittal discussions prepares EIS Need Decision (30 days) (5 days) (30 days) (15-30 days) Data submittal Consider MR 4410.1700 Decision Criteria 8
Petitions 2016-2019 16 14 Petition Granted Petition Denied Voluntary EAW 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 9
Resources and assistance Technical Assistance: o Email: Env.Review@state.mn.us o Phone: 651-757-2873 Written guidance documents: Rules Guide to MN Environmental Review Rules Videos: Minnesota Environmental Review Program EAW Guidelines Guides for citizens and local govt. units The Environmental Assessment Worksheet - Guidance Video AUAR guidance document Distribution Lists Guide to the Citizen Petition Process - Environmental Review EQB Monitor current issue and archives Available at: www.EQB.State.MN.US 3/19/2025 www.eqb.state.mn.us 10
EQB Monitor Weekly publication announcing: Environmental review documents Public comment periods; public meetings Other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. To sign up: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNEQB/ subscriber/new?preferences=true 3/19/2025 | www.eqb.state.mn.us 11
Thank You! Randall Doneen randall.doneen@state.mn.us 651-259-5156 Denise Wilson Denise.Wilson@state.mn.us 651-757-2523 12
