Share your ideas for improving Minnesota's environmental review program
Consultation has concluded
The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is gathering ideas for improving the state’s environmental review program, and we’d like to know what’s important to you. This is part of a wider effort to identify and prioritize program changes in a strategic, transparent, and efficient manner. Find more information on our continuous improvement webpage.
The ideas you share here will be considered by third-party consultants. Consultants will also conduct background research which includes analyzing past evaluations of the environmental review program. Consultants will prepare a report with program recommendations to the board this summer.
What is environmental review?
Public and private projectsContinue reading
The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) is gathering ideas for improving the state’s environmental review program, and we’d like to know what’s important to you. This is part of a wider effort to identify and prioritize program changes in a strategic, transparent, and efficient manner. Find more information on our continuous improvement webpage.
The ideas you share here will be considered by third-party consultants. Consultants will also conduct background research which includes analyzing past evaluations of the environmental review program. Consultants will prepare a report with program recommendations to the board this summer.
What is environmental review?
Public and private projects in Minnesota can have impacts on our air, land, and water resources. Since 1973, Minnesota has required that certain projects go through an environmental review process before getting governmental permits or approvals. The process provides an opportunity for public comment and produces a document that identifies potential environmental effects of a proposed project, as well as ways to reduce any negative environmental effects.
Environmental review is an information-gathering process that helps decision makers protect Minnesota’s environment. The review does not approve or deny a project.
What is the Environmental Quality Board's role in environmental review?
The state of Minnesota's environmental review program provides information about the potential environmental effects of certain proposed projects. The board oversees the program, including:
- Monitoring the effectiveness of the program
- Making program improvements
- Directing staff to implement rule-related administrative tasks
What improvements are we considering?
Help us improve environmental review now and into the future. Improvements that are in scope may include updates to forms, guidance, practices, standards, rules, statutes, data gathering practices, and more. Anything related solely to permitting or programs outside of the environmental review program are outside of the scope of this effort.
How will EQB use this information?
The EQB hosts this engagement platform, but third-party consultants will transparently evaluate your feedback. The consultants will also review background documents, including past environmental review program evaluations. For instance, in 2007, a report was requested by the board to evaluate the ideas that resulted from previous reports, studies and efforts related to improvement of the environmental review program. A 2011 evaluation report drafted by the Office of the Legislative Auditor examined the environmental review process as well. Your feedback, alongside previously cited recommendations, will be analyzed together by the consultants in a final report to EQB.
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How can we ensure that Minnesota's environmental review program meets your needs now and into the future?
about 1 year agoCLOSED: This ideas has concluded.Post any idea you have related to Minnesota's Environmental Review Program in the public forum, below. You may post more than once and respond to others' ideas as well. Not sure how to get started? Consider answering one of the following prompts:
- If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you do to improve the environmental review program?
- What is the environmental review program doing well or not well?
- What are the characteristics of an effective environmental review program?
leelaabout 1 year agoRequire initial environmental review to include reasonably foreseeable project expansions. Authorize judicial review of scoping decisions.
Minnesota environmental review currently allows a "bait-and-switch" process where project proponents propose the smallest possible "project" for review so that the full impacts on water, air, lands, health, Treaty-reserved rights, and climate are not considered before a project is studied and approved. Not only is cumulative environmental review deferred until after developments are in the ground, but once the initial project is constructed state agencies do all they can to ensure that a comprehensive review of later stages and impacts is never done. Minnesota's current environmental review process lacks scientific integrity and emphasizes short-term profits over long-term cumulative adverse impacts. It is a distortion of the purpose of environmental review. Relatively simple rule changes could address these fundamental problems.
0 comment9Joshua Howeabout 1 year agoRequire initial environmental review to include reasonably foreseeable project expansions. Authorize judicial review of scoping decisions.
0 comment7luciearlabout 1 year agoTrails and Ditches-fencing
This is to be added to previous issues with trails and ditches. Fencing along trails had typically been split rail where needed. Most recently the additional trail added on was a chain link fence. This is Cass County, Cty Rd. 77. Many wetlands line the sides of the road. I frequently assist turtles in June crossing the road to lay their eggs. A chain link fence does not allow them to travel to the area of laying eggs. They cannot pass under the fence. This is similar to GPS that has been ingrained in them for 1,000's of years. Where they live and where they lay eggs are 2 different areas and we should respect that.
0 comment2dababout 1 year agoRequire the MNPUC to strictly follow the MN ERP in their approval process whenever their decision could impact state waters or wetlands.
0 comment2Akilah Sanders-Reedabout 1 year agoRequire lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions be included in environmental review
The recent inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions in the EAW process should be extended to lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions to accurately assess the impact of a project. The current agency guidance published in December only requires calculation of "direct and indirect" emissions, which is misleading and incomplete for assessing a project's real impact. Calculating lifecycle emissions is especially important for making sound decisions about fossil fuel infrastructure, because these types of projects will often enable the transportation/release of massive amounts of carbon. I ask that you update the agency guidance and/or the EAW to include a full lifecycle accounting of greenhouse gas emissions related to a project, in addition to the currently required calculation of direct and indirect emissions.
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Who's Listening
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Email Karen.Gaides@state.mn.us