Minnesota Environmental Quality Board.
Environmental review program
Overview
The Environmental Quality Board writes the rules for conducting environmental reviews. The actual reviews are usually conducted by governing bodies such as a county board, city council or a state agency. The EQB's environmental review duties are directed by Minnesota Statutes 116D.04.
Not all development projects require environmental review. The nature, size and location of a project determines this, and the specifics are spelled out in a detailed set of rules. If environmental review is required or desired, the governmental body with jurisdiction over the project works with the developer to complete one or both of the following documents:
Environmental assessment worksheet: A screening tool to determine whether a full environmental impact statement is needed. The worksheet is a six-page questionnaire about the project’s environmental setting, the potential for environmental harm and plans to reduce the harm. About 150 worksheets are completed each year.
Environmental impact statement: An in-depth analysis used for major development projects that will significantly change the environment. The statement covers social and economic influences, as well as environmental impact, and looks at alternate ways to proceed with the project.
Twenty-five or more citizens can request an environmental assessment by petition. A citizens fact sheet explains how to prepare and file this petition. For a printed copy of the fact sheet or an environmental assessment worksheet, contact environmental review staff. EQB Monitor: The EQB Monitor
is a biweekly publication which announces environmental review
documents, public comment periods, and other actions of the
Environmental Quality Board. | report details Guidance documents
Completed projects and studies
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- Amending the Environmental Review program rules - Phase 2: Amendments to Environmental Review Program Rules effective November 23, 2009. The "Phase 2" amendments, authorized for rulemaking on June 15, 2006 and adopted with modifications on June 18, 2009 by the EQB, were published in the State Register on November 16 and became effective on November 23, 2009. (Project record)
- Generic Environmental Impact Statement for animal agriculture: Study of effect of feedlots. (Project record)
- Amending the Environmental Review program rules – phase 1: Amendments to Environmental Review Rules effective October 30, 2006. The “Phase 1” amendments authorized for rulemaking on December 15, 2005 and adopted with modifications on June 15, 2006 by the EQB, were published in the State Register on October 23 and become effective on October 30, 2006. (Project record)
- Examples and Illustrations for EQB Guidance Documents and Educational Materials: Examples of environmental review documents, process diagrams, and related materials. (Project record)
- Study of environmental review: Evaluation of the Environmental Review Program to ensure it meets its goals in a way that balances administrative burden and public benefit. (Project record)
- Mandatory review and exemption categories for recreational trails: The Environmental Quality Board must adopt mandatory EAW, EIS and exemption categories for recreational trails. (Project record)
Full program document list
Staff contact information
Environmental Quality Board, 658 Cedar St., Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55155
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