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Item-by-item guidance Chapter <br /> assess whether changes in process, scale or design that may be environmentally superior would also meet <br /> the goals. <br /> e & L Future and Previous stages of another project <br /> These items identify past or future stages of the project and describe how the present EAW relates to prior <br /> or future review. If the answer to either is"yes,"it is possible that the project is related to other <br /> developments as a"phased action"or a"connected action" as defined by Minn.Rules 4410.0200, subpart <br /> 60 and 9c,respectively. The Rules require that all parts of these actions must be reviewed as a single <br /> project.The RGU should consult Minn. Rules 4410.1000, subpart 4 and 4410.2000, subpart 4, as well as <br /> Chapter 2 of the Guide to Minnesota Environmental Review Rules to ensure that the complete project has <br /> been reviewed in the EAW. <br /> If the project is an expansion of an existing project,Minn. Rules 4410.4300, subpart 1 directs the RGU to <br /> review the project as inclusive of any construction which has occurred within the previous three years and <br /> has not been reviewed under a previously completed EAW or EIS. These cumulative expansions over the <br /> previous three years should be compared to the thresholds in Minn. Rules 4410.4300, and is generally <br /> referred to as the "three-year look-back rule." <br /> If the project is a residential project,relevant requirements are at Minn. Rules 4410.4300, subparts 19 and <br /> 19a and 4410.4400, subparts 14 and 14a.Also note that the certification at the end of the form requires the <br /> RGU to verify that it has complied with the requirements for reviewing the complete project. <br /> For projects such as highways, streets,pipelines,utility lines,or systems where the proposed project is <br /> related to a large existing or planned network,the RGU can treat the present proposal as the total proposal <br /> or select only some of the future elements for present consideration in the threshold determination and <br /> EAW. These selections must be logical in relation to the design of the total system or network and must <br /> not be made merely to divide a large system into exempted segments. When review of the total project is <br /> separated under this subpart,the components or stages addressed in each EAW must include at least all <br /> components or stages for which permits or approvals are being sought from the RGU or other <br /> governmental units."(Minn. Rules 4410.1000, Subp.4). The key component is the logical relation to total <br /> system or network. Dividing a project into smaller exempted segments to avoid preparation of an EAW is <br /> not allowed under Minnesota Rules. The intent is that future stages would be subject to future <br /> environmental review. Mandatory categories for review apply. <br /> Environmental Quality Board EAW Guidelines—October 2013 13 <br />