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 Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration/Enhancement Project in Wabasha County, Minnesota, has issued a Record of Decision regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. The project's Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) notice was published in the August 17, 2015 issue of the EQB Monitor (Vol. 39, No. 17, pg. 5-6).
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.
- Record of Decision Cover Letter
- Record of Decision
- Record of Decision, Attachment A - Public Comments
Environmental Assessment Worksheet
- Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project EAW Cover Letter
- Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project EAW
- Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project Figures
- Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project Attachments
- Attachment A - Sediment Core and Baseline Containment Analysis Summary
- Attachment B - Natural Heritage Information System Summary Index Report
- Attachment C - Blanding's Turtles Information Flyer and Fact Sheet
- Attachment D - Invasive Species Operational Order
- Attachment E - State Historic Preservation Office Letter
- Attachment F - Turtle and Snake Avoidance Plan
Public notice of the availability of this EAW is in the August 17, 2015 EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period is open from August 17, 2015 until 4:30 p.m., September 16, 2015.
The proposed project:
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Section, proposes to restore and enhance aquatic habitat in backwater area of Pool 5 of the Mississippi River in Wabasha County. The Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Enhancement project will restore depth to a natural floodplain lake that has become filled with fine sediments over the past 80 years since navigation dams were built on the Upper Mississippi River. Sediment from approximately 20 acres of shallow water will be mechanically dredged and then trucked approximately 1/3 mile to be deposited at a ten-acre upland site on privately owned agricultural/pasture land.
Send comments:
Written and signed comments on the EAW must be received by Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
By mail:
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Box 32
Attn: Charlotte Cohn
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
Electronically:
Send to [email protected]. "Weaver Bottoms Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project" 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 651-259-5072.