Comments regarding snowmobile trail categories.  EQB received 47 comment letters directed specifically at whether there should be mandatory review for snowmobile trails. Collectively, the points made in these letters can be summarized as follows:  A. Snowmobile trails should either be exempted from environmental review or at least there should not be mandatory review categories for these trails, B. Because snowmobiles ride on snow or ice cover and do not directly contact the ground, and because the ground is frozen, snowmobile trails do not adversely impact the environmental, C.

The Environmental Quality Board was charged by the 2003 legislature to develop rules for mandatory Environmental Assessment Worksheet and Environmental Impact Statement categories and exemption categories for recreational trails. The rules are required to be adopted by January 2005.

Amendment of Environmental Quality Board Rules, parts 4410.7010 - 7070
OAH Docket No. 6-2901-15394-1

The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board intends to amend environmental review rules relating to large electric power plants and high-voltage transmission lines in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4410, and technical amendments to rules governing power plant siting and high-voltage transmission line routing, Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4400.

The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board intends to amend environmental review rules relating to large electric power plants and high-voltage transmission lines in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4410, and technical amendments to rules governing power plant siting and high-voltage transmission line routing, Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4400.