Project Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District is proposing to protect the Lock and Dam 2 embankment from erosion through construction of an offshore protective island. The island would result in a variety of unique habitat types that are not currently present above the Lock and Dam 2 embankment. Some of these habitat types include; wooded/forest, brush/grassland, beach, fish overwintering and emergent wetlands. The island would be constructed with sediments dredged from the Mississippi River.
Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review of the Lock and Dam 2 protective island project, located on the Mississippi River in Dakota County, has issued the Record of Decision regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
The DNR has concluded that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The justification for this determination is contained in the Record of Decision. The Record of Decision also contains the Department’s responses to all substantive written comments received on the EAW during the 30-day public review and comment period.
Issuing this Record of Decision concludes the state environmental review process for this project according to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board rules, Minnesota Rules, part 4410.1000 to 4410.1700. This project can proceed to permitting and approvals.
- Record of Decision (July 1, 2021)
- Attachment A (Public Comments)
- Attachment B (Figure-NWI Wetlands)
Documents
The Minnesota DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the project. Public notice of the availability of these documents for public comment is in the October 12, 2020 EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period will be open from October 12, 2020 until 4:30 p.m., November 12, 2020.
- EAW
- Figures
- SHPO Concurrence Letter
- Appendix A. Draft Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) for Federal EA
- Appendix B. Federal Environmental Assessment
- Appendix C: Clean Water Act 404(b)(1)
- Appendix D: Well Borings
- Appendix E: Environmental Coordination and Correspondence
- Appendix F: Geotechnical Design and Geology Report
- Appendix G: Sediment Quality
- Appendix H: Section 106 and Native American Consultation
A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
- Pleasant Hill Library, 1490 S. Frontage Road, Hastings, MN 55033
Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5694
Deadline for comments:
All written comments on the EAW must be received by Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
People who submit comments will receive a copy of the decision document, which includes responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters' names and email or postal addresses will also be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials they submit.
Comments can be submitted as follows:
Electronically:
Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] with "Protective island" in the subject line.
By mail:
Kathy Metzker, Project Manager
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025