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I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />CASE <br /> <br />RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT COMMENTS <br />FOR THE T.H. #47 STP PROJECT (IMPROVEMENT #98-14) <br /> By: Steven J. Jankowski, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />The Environmental Assessment (EA) document for this project was published in the <br />Environmental Quality Board Monitor on December 28, 1998, and the 30-day comment period <br />expired on January 27, 1999. Comments Were received from the Minnesota Pollution Control <br />Agency (MPCA), Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), <br />and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These comments are attached. <br /> <br />The City's engineering consultant, SRF Inc., is completing their response to these comments, <br />particularly those from Met Council and MPCA. This response is anticipated to be available at <br />the February 9, 1999 meeting. It is important to understand that the purpose for preparing the <br />environmental document is to determine whether or not the impacts of the project warrant the <br />preparation of an extensive Environmental Impact Statement. The passage of a negative <br />declaration does not mean that all environmental issues have been addressed. This project will <br />still require a number of permits from various agencies, most of which will be obtained before <br />letting in October. <br /> <br />The passage of a negative declaration of significant impact does, however, allow the issuance of <br />a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) by the Federal Highway Administration. This is a <br />prerequisite before offers to purchase can be made to the property owners from whom property <br />must be obtained. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Consider a resolution authorizing the consultants, SRF Inc., to prepare a response to the agency <br />comments received. This response includes a finding of a negative determination regarding the <br />need for an Environmental Impact Statement. This negative declaration would be passed onto <br />the Federal Highway Administration through MnDOT. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion authorizing SRF Inc. to prepare a response to the agency comments received. <br /> <br />-and- <br /> <br />Motion to adopt Resolution #99-02 declaring finding of"no need" for an Environmental <br />Impact Statement for the proposed project known as T.H. #47 STP Project (Improvement Project <br />#98-14). <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br />City Administrator <br />City Engineer <br />CC: 02/09/99 <br /> <br /> <br />