New amendments to the Minnesota Environmental Review Rules alter
thresholds for preparation of environmental reviews for projects in
shoreland areas. The amendments also identify "cumulative
potential effects" that must be addressed during environmental
reviews and change the process for preparing alternative urban
areawide reviews.
Promulgated by the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, the
amendments became effective on November 23, 2009. As a result, more
development projects, especially those in shoreland areas, will be
required to undergo environmental review—and the
complexity and costs of all reviews will increase.
New Thresholds Will Trigger More EAWs and EISs
New thresholds for the preparation of environmental assessment
worksheets (EAWs) and environmental impact statements (EISs) affect
residential projects outside the seven-county metropolitan area in
shoreland areas and for nonmetallic mineral mining, resort,
campground, RV park, and land conversion
