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Environmental Assessment Worksheet Overview <br /> The EAW is a brief document designed to lay out the basic facts of a project necessary to determine if an <br /> Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)is required for the proposed project.The EAW form consists of 20 <br /> questions that provide the information needed to determine if the project will have significant environmental <br /> impacts. In addition to the legal purpose of the EAW in determining the need for an EIS,the EAW also provides <br /> permit information, informs the public about the project,and helps identify ways to protect the environment. <br /> The EAW is not meant to approve or deny a project,but instead act as a source of information to guide other <br /> approvals and permitting decisions.The EAW is completed by the Responsible Governmental Unit(RGU) <br /> designated according to Minnesota Kuies 441u. <br /> Please note that this quick reference guide is not intended to substitute for Minnesota Rules 4410.It is <br /> designed to help RGUs and others implement the environmental review process more effectively and <br /> efficiently. The guide does not alter the rules or change their meaning;if any inconsistencies arise between <br /> this guide and the rules,the rules take precedent.Please contact EQB Staff with any questions at <br /> Env.Rev ew(b0state.mn.us or 651-757-2873. <br /> Environmental Review Exemptions <br /> Some projects of a specific size and nature are exempted from the environmental review process as indicated in <br /> Minnesota Rules 4410.4600. If a project is identified as exempt,then it is not required to go through <br /> environmental review in order to move forward. <br /> Mandatory Environmental Review <br /> Projects that meet or exceed the thresholds described in Minnesota Rules 4410.4300 are required to complete <br /> an EAW.If a project meets or exceeds the thresholds described in Minnesota Rules 4410.4400,then an EIS is <br /> required.When determining if a project meets a mandatory environmental review category threshold,it is <br /> important to keep in mind any connected actions, phased actions,or project expansions within the last three <br /> years that cumulatively may trigger mandatory environmental review.These provisions are described in <br /> Minnesota Rules 4410.1006,Subpart 4,and Minnesota Mules 4410.4300,Subpart 1 respectively. <br /> Discretionary Environmental Review <br /> Projects that are not exempt nor require a mandatory environmental review can still go through the EAW <br /> process according to Minnesota Rules 4410.1000,Subpart 3.A government unit with approval authority over a <br /> project can order a discretionary EAW if it determines that the project may have the potential for significant <br /> environmental effects.A discretionary EAW can be particularly appropriate for projects with some possibility of <br /> significant adverse environmental impacts or the perception of such.A discretionary EAW can help the RGU <br /> identify the adverse environmental impacts of a project and their severity.Additionally,discretionary <br /> environmental review may be ordered by a RGU in response to a citizen petition or if the project proposer <br /> Quick Reference:Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW) 2 <br />