( EOB Monitor Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, 300 Centennial, 658 Cedm Street, St. Paul, MN 55155 Phone: 800-657-3794 or 612-296-2603 Fax: 612-296-3698 Volume 21, No. 15 Next issuelDead1ine:January 27,1997lJanuary 17, 1997 - NOTE: Friday deadline (. EQB Monitor Publication Calendar for 1997 is now available Please find the 1997 publication calendar on the last page of this issue of the EQB Monitor. Please save this calendar for your reference. EQB to Propose Statutory Amendments Changing Citizen Petition Process The EQB and the Minnesota Planning Office will propose legislation in the 1997 session to amend the Environmental Policy Act to make mo cbmges in the citizens' petition process. Under the current process, a petition must be signed by 25 or more individuals in order to request preparation of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW).The proposed amendment would increase the required number of signatures to 150 individuals. The second proposed change is to establish a voluntary process for "early notice" to the public of impending projects by the project's proposer. If proper notice were given (the exact requirements for "proper" notice would be established by rule by the EQB), the opportunity to file a citizens' petition on the project would be limited to 60 days from the time of the notice. After the 60 days had passed, the project would be exempt from a petition. For fuaher information about the proposed amendments, contact Gregg Downing, environmental review prop coordinator, 612-296-8253. Environmental Quality Board Meeting Cancelled The January 16,1997 meeting of the EQB Bodhas been cancelled. Environmental Assessment Worksheets - Comments Due February 12,1996 Project title: CSAH 16 from TH 13 to CSAWCR 31, Scott County Description: The proposed project involves the reconstruction of approximately 2.0 miles of CSAH 16 between TH 13 and one quarter west of CSAWCR 31 in the city of Savage. CSAH 16 will generally be reconstructed on the existing alignment as a four-lane divided and undivided urban roadway. Storm sewer systems will be constructed which will either connect to existing storm water systems or outlet to stormwater ponds prior to disharging. RGU: Scott County Contact person: Daniel M. Jobe, Design Engineer, Scott County Highway Department, 600 Country Trail East, Jordan, MN 55352; 612-496-8346 Project title: Rich Prairie Wastewater Treatment Facility, Cities of Pien and Genola Description: The cities of Pierz and Genola have joined together to form the Rich Prairie Sanitary Sewer District. The Rich Prairie Sanitary District plans to provide sanitary sewer service to the city of Genola and replace the city of Pierz's existing wastewater treatment facility. The new WWTF would be designed to handle 202,000gallons per day. A new outfall structure would be constructed as part of the new construction and would discharge twice a year to an intermittent stream. The intermittant stream flows over a mile before flowing into the Skunk River. RGU: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Contact person: Kevin Kain, Project Manager, Environmental Planning and Review Office, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155; 612-296-7432 Project title: Northern Border Pipeline Company Compressor Station No. 12 Description: Northern Border Pipeline Company proposes to construct a natural gas compressor station at a 24.2-acre Northern Border Pipeline facility in Lyon County. Primary facilities will be a 38,000horsepower compressor unit and building, gas after-coolers, auxillary and fuel gas utility buildings, and perimeter fencing. RGU: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Contact person: Kathryn Kramer, Project Manager, Environmental Planning and Review Office, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155;612-297-8604 Project title: Alexandria to Henning 115 kV Transmission Line Description: Three electricity utilities--Cooperative Power Association, Otter Tail Power, and Missouri Basin Municipal Power Agency--are jointly proposing to build 43 miles of new 115-kV transmission line in north central Minnesota. The 115-kV line would tap into an existing 230-kV line near the town of Henning, Minnesota, extend south, mostly along existing roadway and railway right-of-way, to the city of Alexandria. The line would terminate at an existing 115-kV transmission line about 1000 feet south of 1-94in Alexandria. The proposed route requires about one mile of new right-of-way, and will cross some wetlands and recreation areas. As part of this project, a switching station on the existing 230-kV line will be upgraded to a new 23011 15 kV substation. The new substation, to be called the Inman Substation, is undergoing separate environmental review under 6 the Minnesota Power Plant Siting Act exemption process. For information on the substation exemption process, contact the EQB staff at the address and telephone number provided below. I RGU: Minnesota Environmental Quality Board Contact Person: John N. Wachtler, Project Manager, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155; 612-296-4095;e-mail: [email protected] Environmental Impact Statement Need Decisions The responsible government units noted below have determined the following projects do not require preparation of an EIS. The dates given are, respectively, the date of the determination and the date the EAW notice was published in the EQB Monitor. Minnesota Family Farms, Inc. Hog Feedlot Facility and Gibbs' Hog Finishing Feedlot Expansion, LeSueur County -Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - December 18,1996 (July 15,1996) Buffalo Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion, Wright County -Mimesota Pollution Control Agency -December 30,1996 (October 21,1996) Century Hills General Development Plan - Olmsted County - December 2, 1996 (October 7, 1996) EAW Withdrawn The project proposer and the responsible governmental unit, Lake of the Woods County, have withdrawn the EAW for the Brush Island Development which was noticed in the November 4, 1996 issue of the EQB Monitor. Petitions Filed Y The following petition has been filed with the EQB requesting preparation of an EAW. The EQB has i assigned the indicated unit of government to review this petition and decide on the need for an EAW. m Louise Lake Outlet Project -Carnelian-Marine Watershed District Notice of Federal Draft Environmental Assessment Project title: Installation of Instrument Landing System Including Approach Lights for Runway 14 at the StPaul Downtown Airport Description: A Draft EA has been prepared by the Metropolitan Airports Commission for an ILS at the northwest end of runway 14 at the St. Paul Downtown Airport. The Draft EA addresses the environmental impacts of the proposed project in conformance with the environmental review requirements of the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Comment deadline: Comments are due by February 12,1997. Please direct all comments and inquiries to the contact person listed below. Co$tact person: Mark Ryan, Metropolitan Airports Commission, 6040 28th Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN 55450: 612-726-8129 Document availability: The Draft EA is available for review at the St. Paul Public Library, 90 W. 4th St., St. Paul. Copies are available on request from the contact person noted above. Public Hearing - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources In the matter of the application of JaneUe Woodffl for a variance to do work on her property at 4242 River Road South, City of Afton, St. Croix River, Washington County, Minnesota / i There will be a public hearing on the above matter on February 12, 1997, at 8:30 a.m., in the Afton City Hall Council Chambers, 3033 St. Croix Trail, Afton, Minnesota. This hearing is authorized by Minn. Statutes Sections 103F.351, 103G.311, and Minn. Rules 6105.0540. There are two issues to be considered at this hearing. The fust issue is whether Ms. Woodfill shall be required to remove a second floor deck constructed facing the lower St. Croix River on a substandard structure located at 4242 River Road South, City of Afton, Washington County, Minnesota. The deck construction does not comply with various setback requirements of the City of Afton's Lower St. Croix River Bluffland and Shoreland Management Ordinance. The second issue for hearing is whether Ms. Woodfill will be allowed to replace a detached, substandard garage at the same location. The city of Afton Board of Adjustments and Appeals granted Ms. Woodfill variances for these structures, hut the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources denied certification pursuant to Minn. Rules 6105.0540 (1995). Laws and rules particularly applicable to the decision include, but need not be limited to: Minn. Stat. sections 103F. 201 to 103F.345,103F.351,103G.311,103G.315,394.36, subd.1; Minn. Rules 6105.0351 to 6105.0540, with particular attention to 6105.0353, 6105.0370,6105.0380,6105.0520; relevant sections of the City of Afton's Zoning Ordinance, with particular attention to sections 301.401(05), 301.402(04), 301.402(09), and 302. 101 o 302.105; and the Model Lower St. Croix River Bluffland and Shoreline Management Ordinance, incorporated by reference at section 302.101 of the City of Afton's Zoning Ordinance, sections 101 to 807.01, with particular attention to sections 402.01,402.02,601.02,601.03,601.04,and 805.01. The hearing will be conducted by Administrative Law Judge Richard Luis of the Office of Administrative < Hearings, 100 Washington Square, Suite 1700, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55401-2138; 612-349-2542. He L, will conduct the hearing according to Minn. Stat. chapter 14 and the rules of the Office of Administrative Hearings, Minn. Rules 1400.5100-1400.8400, which provide generally for the procedural rights of parties, and which are available for the Minnesota Bookstore, 117 University ~ve.,St. ~aul,~iniesota 55155,612-297-3000. Parties to the hearing must file notices of appearance within 20 days of the date of service of this notice.