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Item-by-item guidance Chapter <br /> 4. Reason for EAW preparation <br /> Most EAWs are prepared because of mandatory EAW categories found in Minnesota Rules 4410.4300 or as part <br /> of scoping of projects in mandatory EIS categories in 4410.4400,and should be noted accordingly. If the EAW is <br /> not mandatory,mark an appropriate option to indicate how the EAW process was initiated. If more than one <br /> applies—for instance if a citizen petition was filed but the proposer volunteered for an EAW before the RGU <br /> acted on the petition—either mark all that apply or none of the items and explain the situation. EIS scoping <br /> should be marked only if an EIS is mandatory or the proposer has voluntarily agreed to initiate an EIS. If an EAW <br /> or EIS is mandatory,list the citation for the applicable mandatory category(les)from the EQB rules.The citation <br /> can be found in Minnesota Rules parts 4410.4300 or 4410.4400 or in Chapter 7 of the Guide to Minnesota <br /> Environmental Review Rules.Also,give the name of the category as listed in the rules after the subpart number. <br /> Preparation of an EAW for scoping an EIS: Before an EIS is done, an EAW is required for"scoping,"which is <br /> the decision-making process that determines what alternatives,impacts and issues, and mitigation measures will <br /> be assessed and at what level of detail.These decisions are made by the RGU after a period of public and agency <br /> input.The function of the scoping EAW is to inform the public and agencies about a project so they can help <br /> identify topics and issues that should be addressed in the EIS. The scoping EAW must be accompanied by a draft <br /> scoping decision document. <br /> The draft scoping decision document is a draft version of the document that will be adopted by the RGU after the <br /> scoping period as the official"blueprint" for the EIS. The scoping EAW focuses on the project,its settings and <br /> physical impacts,while the draft scoping decision document focuses on the RGU's plans for reviewing the <br /> project's impacts,including economic and social impacts, and the impacts of"reasonable alternatives"to the <br /> project. For a scoping EAW,mark the box for"EIS Scoping"under this EAW item. <br /> Chapter 5 of The Guide to Minnesota Environmental Review Rules provides guidance about completing the EAW <br /> when used for scoping. <br /> Environmental Quality Board EAW Guidelines—October 2013 8 <br />