Minnesota Legislature
Office of the Revisor of Statutes
Minnesota Administrative Rules
4410.4400 MANDATORY EIS CATEGORIES.
Subpart 1.
Threshold test.
An EIS must be prepared for projects that meet or exceed the threshold of any of subparts 2 to 25. Multiple projects and multiple stages of a single project that are connected actions or phased actions must be considered in total when comparing the project or projects to the thresholds of this part.
Subp. 2.
Nuclear fuels and nuclear waste.
Items A to D designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For the construction or expansion of a nuclear fuel or nuclear waste processing facility, including fuel fabrication facilities, reprocessing plants, and uranium mills, the DNR shall be the RGU for uranium mills; otherwise, the PCA shall be the RGU.
C.
For construction of an away-from-reactor facility for temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel, the Public Utilities Commission shall be the RGU.
Subp. 3.
Electric generating facilities.
For construction of a large electric power generating plant, environmental review shall be conducted according to parts 7849.1000 to 7849.2100 and 7850.1000 to 7850.5600.
Subp. 4.
Petroleum refineries.
For construction of a new petroleum refinery facility, the PCA shall be the RGU.
Subp. 5.
Fuel conversion facilities.
Items A and B designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For construction of a facility for the conversion of coal, peat, or biomass sources to gaseous, liquid, or solid fuels if that facility has the capacity to utilize 250,000 dry tons or more per year of input, the PCA shall be the RGU.
B.
For construction or expansion of a facility for the production of alcohol fuels which would have or would increase its capacity by 50,000,000 or more gallons per year of alcohol produced if the facility will be in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area or by 125,000,000 or more gallons per year of alcohol produced if the facility will be outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the PCA shall be the RGU.
Subp. 6.
Transmission lines.
For construction of a high voltage transmission line, environmental review shall be conducted according to parts 7849.1000 to 7849.2100 and 7850.1000 to 7850.5600.
Subp. 7.
Underground storage.
Items A and B designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
Subp. 8.
Metallic mineral mining and processing.
Items A to C designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For mineral deposit evaluation involving the extraction of 1,000 tons or more of material that is of interest to the proposer principally due to its radioactive characteristics, the DNR shall be the RGU.
B.
For construction of a new facility for mining metallic minerals or for the disposal of tailings from a metallic mineral mine, the DNR shall be the RGU.
Subp. 9.
Nonmetallic mineral mining.
Items A to C designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For development of a facility for the extraction or mining of peat which will utilize 320 acres of land or more during its existence, the DNR shall be the RGU.
B.
For development of a facility for the extraction or mining of sand, gravel, stone, or other nonmetallic minerals, other than peat, which will excavate 160 acres of land or more to a mean depth of ten feet or more during its existence, the local government unit shall be the RGU.
C.
For development of a facility for the extraction or mining of sand, gravel, stone, or other nonmetallic minerals, other than peat, which will excavate 40 or more acres of forested or other naturally vegetated land in a sensitive shoreland area or 80 or more acres of forested or other naturally vegetated land in a nonsensitive shoreland area, the local governmental unit is the RGU.
Subp. 10.
Paper or pulp processing.
For construction of a new paper or pulp processing mill, the PCA shall be the RGU.
Subp. 11.
Industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities.
Items A and B designate the RGU for the type of project listed, except as provided in items C and D:
A.
For construction of a new or expansion of an existing warehousing or light industrial facility equal to or in excess of the following thresholds, expressed as gross floor space, the local governmental unit is the RGU:
B.
For construction of a new or expansion of an existing industrial, commercial, or institutional facility, other than a warehousing or light industrial facility, equal to or in excess of the following thresholds, expressed as gross floor space, the local government unit shall be the RGU:
C.
This subpart applies to any industrial, commercial, or institutional project which includes multiple components, if there are mandatory categories specified in subparts 2 to 10, 12, 13, 15, or 17, or part 4410.4300, subparts 2 to 13, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 25, or 29 for two or more of the components, regardless of whether the project in question meets or exceeds any threshold specified in those subparts. In those cases, the entire project must be compared to the thresholds specified in items A and B to determine the need for an EIS. If the project meets or exceeds the thresholds specified in any other subparts as well as those in item A or B, the RGU must be determined as provided in part 4410.0500, subpart 1.
D.
This subpart does not apply to projects for which there is a single mandatory category specified in subparts 2 to 10, 12, 13, 17, or 22, or part 4410.4300, subparts 2 to 13, 16, 17, 20, 23, 25, 29, or 34, regardless of whether the project in question meets or exceeds any threshold specified in those subparts. In those cases, the need for an EIS or an EAW must be determined by comparison of the project to the threshold specified in the applicable subpart, and the RGU must be the governmental unit assigned by that subpart.
Subp. 12.
Hazardous waste.
Items A to C designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For construction or expansion of a hazardous waste disposal facility for 1,000 or more kilograms per month, the PCA shall be the RGU.
B.
For the construction or expansion of a hazardous waste disposal facility in a water-related land use management district, or in an area characterized by soluble bedrock, the PCA shall be the RGU.
C.
For construction or expansion of a hazardous waste processing facility if the facility is located in a water-related land use management district, or in an area characterized by soluble bedrock, the PCA shall be the RGU.
Subp. 13.
Solid waste.
Items A to E designate the RGU for the type of project listed:
A.
For construction of a mixed municipal solid waste disposal facility for 100,000 cubic yards or more of waste fill per year, the PCA is the RGU.
B.
For construction or expansion of a mixed municipal solid waste disposal facility in a water-related land use management district, or in an area characterized by soluble bedrock, the PCA is the RGU.
C.
For construction or expansion of a mixed municipal solid waste energy recovery facility or incinerator, or the utilization of an existing facility for the combustion of mixed municipal solid waste or refuse-derived fuel, with a capacity of 250 or more tons per day of input, the PCA is the RGU.
D.
For construction or expansion of a mixed municipal solid waste compost facility or a refuse-derived fuel production facility with a capacity of 500 or more tons per day of input, the PCA is the RGU.
E.
For expansion by 25 percent or more of previous capacity of a mixed municipal solid waste disposal facility for 100,000 cubic yards or more of waste fill per year, the PCA is the RGU.
Subp. 14.
Residential development.
An EIS is required for residential development if the total number of units that the proposer may ultimately develop on all contiguous land owned by the proposer or for which the proposer has an option to purchase, except land identified by an applicable comprehensive plan, ordinance, resolution, or agreement of a local governmental unit for a future use other than residential development, equals or exceeds a threshold of this subpart. In counting the total number of ultimate units, the RGU shall include the number of units in any plans of the proposer; for land for which the proposer has not yet prepared plans, the RGU shall use as the number of units the product of the number of acres multiplied by the maximum number of units per acre allowable under the applicable zoning ordinance, or if the maximum number of units allowable per acre is not specified in an applicable zoning ordinance, by the overall average number of units per acre indicated in the plans of the proposer for those lands for which plans exist. If the total project requires review but future phases are uncertain, the RGU may review the ultimate project sequentially in accordance with part 4410.2000, subpart 4.
The RGU may review an initial stage of the project, that may not exceed ten percent of the applicable EIS threshold, by means of the procedures of parts 4410.1200 to 4410.1700 instead of the procedures of parts 4410.2000 to 4410.2800. If the RGU determines that this stage requires preparation of an EIS under part 4410.1700, it may be reviewed through a separate EIS or through an EIS that also covers later stages of the project.
If a project consists of mixed unattached and attached units, an EIS must be prepared if the sum of the quotient obtained by dividing the number of unattached units by the applicable unattached unit threshold, plus the quotient obtained by dividing the number of attached units by the applicable attached unit threshold, equals or exceeds one.
The local governmental unit is the RGU for construction of a permanent or potentially permanent residential development of:
A.
100 or more unattached or 150 or more attached units in an unsewered unincorporated area or 400 unattached units or 600 attached units in a sewered unincorporated area;
B.
400 unattached units or 600 attached units in a city that does not meet the conditions of item D;
C.
400 unattached units or 600 attached units in a city meeting the conditions of item D if the project is not consistent with the adopted comprehensive plan; or
D.
1,000 unattached units or 1,500 attached units in a city within the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area that has adopted a comprehensive plan under Minnesota Statutes, section 473.859, or in a city not located within the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area that has filed with the EQB chair a certification that it has adopted a comprehensive plan containing the following elements:
(1)
a land use plan designating the existing and proposed location, intensity, and extent of use of land and water for residential, industrial, agricultural, and other public and private purposes;
(2)
a transportation plan describing, designating, and scheduling the location, extent, function, and capacity of existing and proposed local public and private transportation facilities and services;
(3)
a sewage collection system policy plan describing, designating, and scheduling the areas to be served by the public system, the existing and planned capacities of the public system, and the standards and conditions under which the installation of private sewage treatment systems will be permitted;
(5)
an implementation plan describing public programs, fiscal devices, and other actions to be undertaken to implement the comprehensive plan, and a description of official controls addressing the matters of zoning, subdivision, private sewage systems, and a schedule for the implementation of the controls. The EQB chair may specify the form to be used for making a certification under this item.
Subp. 14a.
Residential development in shoreland outside of the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area.
A.
The local governmental unit is the RGU for construction of a permanent or potentially permanent residential development located wholly or partially in shoreland outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area of a type listed in items B to D. For purposes of this subpart, "riparian unit" means a unit in a development that abuts a public water or, in the case of a development where units are not allowed to abut the public water, is located in the first tier of the development as provided under part 6120.3800, subpart 4, item A. If a project is located partially in a sensitive shoreland area and partially in nonsensitive shoreland areas, an EIS must be prepared if the sum of the quotient obtained by dividing the number of units in the sensitive shoreland area by the applicable sensitive shoreland area threshold, plus the quotient obtained by dividing the number of units in nonsensitive shoreland areas by the applicable nonsensitive shoreland area threshold, equals or exceeds one. If a project is located partially in shoreland and partially not in shoreland, an EIS must be prepared if the sum of the quotients obtained by dividing the number of units in each type of area by the applicable threshold for each area equals or exceeds one.
B.
A development containing 50 or more unattached or attached units for a sensitive shoreland area or 100 or more unattached or attached units for a nonsensitive shoreland area, if any of the following conditions is present:
C.
A development of 100 or more unattached or attached units for a sensitive shoreland area or 200 or more unattached or attached units for a nonsensitive shoreland area, if none of the conditions listed in item B is present.
D.
A development creating 20 or more unattached or attached units for a sensitive shoreland area or 40 or more unattached or attached units for a nonsensitive shoreland area by the conversion of a resort, motel, hotel, recreational vehicle park, or campground, if either of the following conditions is present:
E.
An EIS is required for residential development if the total number of units that the proposer may ultimately develop on all contiguous land owned by the proposer or for which the proposer has an option to purchase, except land identified by an applicable comprehensive plan, ordinance, resolution, or agreement of a local governmental unit for a future use other than residential development, equals or exceeds a threshold of this subpart. In counting the total number of ultimate units, the RGU shall include the number of units in any plans of the proposer. For land for which the proposer has not yet prepared plans, the RGU shall use as the number of units the number of acres multiplied by the maximum number of units per acre allowable under the applicable zoning ordinance or, if the maximum number of units allowable per acre is not specified in an applicable zoning ordinance, by the overall average number of units per acre indicated in the plans of the proposer for those lands for which plans exist.
Subp. 15.
Airport runway projects.
For construction of a paved and lighted airport runway of 5,000 feet of length or greater, the DOT or local government unit shall be the RGU.
Subp. 16.
Highway projects.
For construction of a road on a new location which is four or more lanes in width and two or more miles in length, the DOT or local government unit shall be the RGU.
Subp. 17.
Barge fleeting facilities.
For construction of a barge fleeting facility at a new off-channel location that involves the dredging of 1,000 or more cubic yards, the DOT or port authority shall be the RGU.
Subp. 18.
Water appropriation and impoundments.
For construction of a Class I dam, the DNR shall be the RGU.
Subp. 19.
Marinas.
For construction of a new or expansion of an existing marina, harbor, or mooring project on a state or federally designated wild and scenic river, the local government unit shall be the RGU.
Subp. 20.
Wetlands and public waters.
For projects that will eliminate a public water or public waters wetland, the local government unit shall be the RGU.
Subp. 21.
Mixed residential and commercial-industrial projects.
If a project includes both residential and commercial-industrial components, the project must have an EIS prepared if the sum of the quotient obtained by dividing the number of residential units by the applicable residential threshold of subpart 14, plus the quotient obtained by dividing the amount of industrial-commercial gross floor space by the applicable industrial-commercial threshold of subpart 11, equals or exceeds one.
Subp. 22.
Sports or entertainment facilities.
For construction of a new outdoor sports or entertainment facility designed for or expected to accommodate a peak attendance of 20,000 or more persons or a new indoor sports or entertainment facility designed for or expected to accommodate a peak attendance of 30,000 or more persons, or the expansion of an existing facility by these amounts, the local governmental unit is the RGU.
Subp. 23.
Water diversions.
For a diversion of waters of the state to an ultimate location outside the state in an amount equal to or greater than 2,000,000 gallons per day, expressed as a daily average over any 30-day period, the DNR is the RGU.
Subp. 24.
Pipelines.
For routing of a pipeline subject to the full route selection procedures under Minnesota Statutes, section 216G.02, the Public Utilities Commission is the RGU.
Subp. 25.
Incineration of wastes containing PCBs.
For the incineration of wastes containing PCB's for which an EIS is required by Minnesota Statutes, section 116.38, subdivision 2, the PCA shall be the RGU.
Subp. 26.
Resorts, campgrounds, and RV parks in shorelands.
For construction or expansion of a resort or other seasonal or permanent recreational development located wholly or partially in shoreland, accessible by vehicle, adding 100 or more units or sites in a sensitive shoreland area or 200 or more units or sites in a nonsensitive shoreland area, the local governmental unit is the RGU. If a project is located partially in a sensitive shoreland area and partially in nonsensitive shoreland areas, an EIS must be prepared if the sum of the quotient obtained by dividing the number of units in the sensitive shoreland area by the applicable sensitive shoreland area threshold, plus the quotient obtained by dividing the number of units in nonsensitive shoreland areas by the applicable nonsensitive shoreland area threshold, equals or exceeds one. If a project is located partially in shoreland and partially not in shoreland, an EIS must be prepared if the sum of the quotients obtained by dividing the number of units in each type of area by the applicable threshold for each area equals or exceeds one.
Subp. 27.
Land conversion in shorelands.
For a project that permanently converts 40 or more acres of forested or other naturally vegetated land in a sensitive shoreland area or 80 or more acres of forested or other naturally vegetated land in a nonsensitive shoreland area, the local governmental unit is the RGU.
History:
11 SR 714; 13 SR 1437; 13 SR 2046; 21 SR 1458; 28 SR 951; L 2005 c 97 art 3 s 19; 31 SR 539; 34 SR 721
Published Electronically:
November 30, 2009
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes