Wright Bog Horticultural Peat Project EAW

Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review of the Wright Bog Horticultural Peat Project in Carlton County, Minnesota, has issued a 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 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.

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

Public notice of the availability of this EAW is in the December 11, 2017 EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period was open from December 11, 2017 until 4:30 p.m., January 10, 2018.

The proposed project:

Premier Horticulture, Inc. proposes to develop approximately 316 acres of the Wright Bog in Carlton County for horticultural peat extraction. The proposed site would be cleared and ditched, with drained water discharged into Little Tamarack River. Sphagnum moss peat would be collected using the milled peat vacuum harvesting method. Mined areas would be restored back to Sphagnum-type moss originating from an adjacent Donor Site.

Send comments:

Written and signed comments on the EAW must be received by Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Names and addresses will be published as part of the EAW record.

By mail:

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological and Water Resources
Attn: Bill Johnson
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Electronically:

Send to [email protected]. "Wright Bog" must be included in the subject line. Include your name and mailing address so that you can be added to the mailing list. Names and addresses will be published as part of the EAW record.

By fax:

Submit signed comment letters by fax to 651-296-1811.

Questions:

Please call 651-259-5126.

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