Greetings from the Floor,
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) yesterday for the Fargo-Moorhead Flood Diversion project. This now opens a public comment period until May 31, 2016. To review the document, please go to: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/environmentalreview/fm_flood_risk/index.html. The document is also available at the Moorhead Public Library (118 5th St S, Moorhead).
The Final EIS is not a decision document and Minnesota permits still need to be issued for the project to move forward. The document evaluates potential project impacts and proposed mitigation efforts for them. If the Final EIS is determined to be adequate, the DNR will then draft a Record of Decision describing the determination of adequacy. A determination of adequacy is then followed by the permitting process.
Public comments for this phase of the process should focus on the adequacy of the final document and pertain to:
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Whether the Final EIS analyzed topics identified in scoping
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Whether the Final EIS responded to comments received on the draft
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Whether the DNR followed the process established in state statute and rules for preparing the document
Public comments can be mailed to:
Jill Townley, Project Manager
Environmental Review Unit, Box 25
EWR Division, DNR
500 Lafayette Rd
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025
Public comments can also be emailed toenvironmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with "Fargo-Moorhead Final EIS" in the subject line. If submitting comments via email, please include your name and mailing address. Comments can also be faxed to (651) 296-1811. All comments must be received by the DNR by May 21, 2016 at 4:30 pm.
Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve,
Ben