Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 08/21/2023

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C d Preparing EAWS:A Procedural Guide for Local RGUs Step 7—Start a project file If it has not already been done,RGU staff should start a Local Governments"located on the EQB website. file for the project and keep copies of all written or email correspondence,faxes,contracts,etc. RGU staff will also Project proposers sometimes have the ability to complete the want to keep track of their phone calls with the proposer, data portions of the EAW in as little as 2 weeks time,so RGU including the dates,times,and subject of their calls in a phone staff should attempt to retain a consultant as soon as possible. log. As citizens will sometimes submit comments to the RGU Step 9—Evaluate the proposer's EAW data prior to the EAW public comment period,RGU staff will submittal likely want to keep copies of these letters with the project file. While the RGU is only required to respond to substantive MN Rule 4410.1400 provides the following information regarding the completeness of a proposer's data submittal: comments submitted during the official public comment period citizen comment letters submitted prior to this time can sometimes raise important issues that a local government "When an EAW is to be prepared, the proposer shall submit will want to review and/or address during either the EAW the completed data portions of the EAW to the RGU. The preparation or through local permitting procedures. RGUshall promptly determine whether the proposer's submittal is complete. If the RGU determines that the submittal is incomplete,the Helpful Tip RGUshall return the submittal to the proposer for completion RGU staff should make certain project proposers of the missing data. If the RGU determines that the submittal are aware of the EQB's"EAW Guidelines:Pre- is complete,the RGUshall notify the proposer of the paring Environmental Assessment Worksheets", acceptance of the submittal within five days. located on the EQB website at: The RGU shall have 30 days from notification to add supplementary material to the EAW,if necessary,and htlp://www.DLnplan.state.mn.us-/Pdf/2000 to approve the EAW for distribution. The RGU shall eawrules.pdf. be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of all information. " This document provides item-by-item guidance for completing an EAW. RGUs and project proposers can consult"EAW Guidelines: Preparing Environmental Assessment Worksheets",for item- by item assistance on the types of information needed for the EAW. This document,can be found on the EQB website at: Step 8—Retain a consultant[if needed] http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/pdf/2000/eqb/eawrules.adf. RGU staff will need to determine whether or not their RGU staff should use the information in this document to help organization has the staff time and expertise to review the data portions of the EAW submitted by the project proposer, determine whether a proposer's data submittal is accurate and suggest EAW changes,and perform other requirements of complete. the environmental review process without the assistance of a consultant. If not,and it will be necessary to hire a Step 10-Prepare the EAW for final release consultant for environmental review,RGU staff should make Once an RGU has received the data submittal from the project the necessary arrangements for doing so at this stage of the proposer,determined the submittal is complete,and notified process. the proposer of the completeness of the data submittal,the RGU has 30 calendar days to edit and finalize the EAW Each local government may carry out this step in a different document. At this point in the process,the RGU is mostly way,though,according to its own local ordinances and editing the document for understandability,spelling/grammar, procedures. For more information on using consultants during etc. The RGU may also add supplementary material to the environmental review,please see the EQB document titled, EAW at this time in order to provide more information about "Hiring a Consultant for Environmental Review:A Guide for the project's potential for significant environmental effects. 7