Agenda - Council - 03/14/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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� N E S � A Citizen's Guide: Commenting on Environmental Review Projects • Be clear,concise and organized-Decide what information needs to be said before you begin. Developing an outline helps put comments into a logical order. • Be specific-Saying that you are against a project will not have as much of an effect as saying why you are against it. Try to give as much support as possible for each comment. Include as much factual information as possible. Refer to the page number or question number in your comment letter when responding to specific items addressed in the environmental review document. • Identify Possible Solutions- Suggest possible solutions that the project proposer could implement to alleviate concerns about the project. It is okay to ask for analysis of different project configurations. Suggestions on reasonable alternatives and mitigation measures can improve a project. • Include your return address-If submitting comments by e-mail make sure to include your home mailing address as well. Commenting at public meetings On occasion the RGU may hold a public meeting on a project,which will provide an opportunity to gather information and listen to comments. Public meetings are usually informal, so an exact record of public comments may not always be documented. You should bring a couple pieces of paper to write down concerns and questions, and then give your written comments to the RGU staff. Preparing written comments ahead of time or writing concerns on a comment card, if provided, and submitting it to the RGU staff is recommended. Submitting your comments in writing provides assurance that concerns and question are accurately recorded. Submitting comments Comments for the project must go to the RGU not the EQB,by letter or e-mail.To ensure that comments are properly received and addressed, always send letters to the contact listed in the notice of the EQB Monitor.Make sure to submit the original letter to the main RGU contact,if others would like to see the letter make photocopies for them. RGUs do not appreciate e-mail"spamming". The RGU is required to evaluate the merit of the issues being considered and 100 copies of the same e-mail will not contribute any additional information. RGU responses to comments According to environmental review rules,RGUs are required to provide a written response to all timely and substantive comments and distribute their responses to agencies on the EQB's distribution list.RGUs are also required to send a copy of their response to anyone who submitted comments during the public comment period and to anyone who requests,in writing, a copy of the RGU response.While RGUs usually do not respond to each commenter with an individual letter,they usually compile all of the timely and substantive comments received and the RGUs' responses to these comments into a single document. The RGU will then use public comments to determine if the proposer needs to make changes to the project or if the RGU needs to collect additional information about the likelihood for significant environmental effects. About the EQB The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) draws together the Governor's Office, the heads of nine state agencies and five citizens in order to develop policy and review proposed projects that could significantly influence Minnesota's environment. The Board staff is housed in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency building. 4