Agenda - Council - 05/09/1989 - Closed Executive Session and Regular

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· RECEIVED ............ ,suY APR 2 q i989 6gg Z ~ 612-296-2603 April 20, 1989 Mr. Mark Banwart City Planner, city of Ramsey 15153 Nowthen Blvd. Ramsey, MN 55303 RE: Petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for Proposed 153rd Avenue Construction Dear Mr. Banwart: The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) has received a petition requesting that an EAW be prepared on the project described in the petition, and has determined that City of Ramsey is the appropriate governmental unit to decide the need for an EAW. The requirements for environmental review, including the preparation of EAWs, can be found in the Minnesota Rules, parts 4410.0200 to 4410.7800. Please contact me if you do not have access to these rules. The procedures to be followed in making the EAW decision are set forth in part 4410.1100. Key points in the procedures include: No final government approvals may be given to the project named in the petition, nor may construction on the project be started until the need for an EAW has been'determined. Project construction includes any activities Which directly affect the environment, including preparation of land. If the decision is to prepare an EAW, approval must be withheld until either a Negative Declaration is issued or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is completed (see part 4410.3100). A first step in .making the decision regarding the need for an EAW would be'to compare the project to the mandatory EAW, EIS and Exemption categories listed in parts 4410.4300, 4410.4400, and 4410.4600, respectively. If~the project should fall under any of these categories, environmental review is automatically required or prohibited. If this should be the case, proceed accordingly. If preparation of an EAW is neither mandatory nor exempted, city.of Ramsey has the option to prepare an EAW. The standard to be used to decide if an EAW Should be done is given in part 4410.1100, subp. 6. Note that this requires that a record of decision including specific findings of fact be maintained.