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 Radio Tower Bay Wetland Restoration project in St. Louis County, Minnesota, has issued the attached 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 Environmental Assessment Worksheet during the 30-day 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.
For additional information, or copies of the Record of Decision, please call (651) 259-5157.
Attachment: Record of Decision (June 17, 2014)
The proposed project:
Radio Tower Bay is a 75-acre shallow-water wetland located in the Lower St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC) that is degraded with logging-era wood waste. The bay is located within the City of Duluth, Minnesota, approximately 16 river miles upstream from Lake Superior and 0.5 miles downstream from Boy Scout Landing, a public water access on St. Louis Bay.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources intends to remove the lumber mill waste and restore native wetland communities in Radio Tower Bay. The AOC is a designation by the US Environmental Protection Agency for a geographical area within the Great Lakes that fails to support aquatic life or is impacted in its ability to support aquatic life due to significant environmental degradation. The proposed fish and wildlife habitat improvement project is intended to remove beneficial use impairments in Radio Tower Bay, which along with other projects proposed in St. Louis Bay, advances the AOC delisting process.
Documents
- Radio Tower Bay Wetland Restoration Project Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) including the Cover Letter
- Radio Tower Bay Wetland Restoration Project Figures
- Radio Tower Bay Wetland Restoration Project Tables
- Attachment A – St. Louis Bay Environs Background Information
- Attachment B – Minnesota NHIS Letter and Report
Send comments:
Written and signed comments on the EAW must be received by Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.
By mail:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Box 25
Attn: Ronald Wieland
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
Electronically:
Send to [email protected]. "Radio Tower Bay EAW" must be included in the subject line. Include your name and mailing address so that you can be added to the mailing list.
By fax:
Submit signed comment letters by fax to (651) 296-1811.
Questions
Please call (651) 259-5157.