(a) Until a final rule is adopted pursuant to Laws 2013, chapter 114, article 4, section 105, paragraph (d), an environmental assessment worksheet must be prepared for any silica sand project that meets or exceeds the following thresholds, unless the project meets or exceeds the thresholds for an environmental impact statement under rules of the Environmental Quality Board and an environmental impact statement must be prepared:
(1) excavates 20 or more acres of land to a mean depth of ten feet or more during its existence. The local government is the responsible governmental unit; or
(2) is designed to store or is capable of storing more than 7,500 tons of silica sand or has an annual throughput of more than 200,000 tons of silica sand and is not required to receive a permit from the Pollution Control Agency. The Pollution Control Agency is the responsible governmental unit.
(b) In addition to the contents required under statute and rule, an environmental assessment worksheet completed according to this section must include:
(1) a hydrogeologic investigation assessing potential groundwater and surface water effects and geologic conditions that could create an increased risk of potentially significant effects on groundwater and surface water;
(2) for a project with the potential to require a groundwater appropriation permit from the commissioner of natural resources, an assessment of the water resources available for appropriation;
(3) an air quality impact assessment that includes an assessment of the potential effects from airborne particulates and dust;
(4) a traffic impact analysis, including documentation of existing transportation systems, analysis of the potential effects of the project on transportation, and mitigation measures to eliminate or minimize adverse impacts;
(5) an assessment of compatibility of the project with other existing uses; and
(6) mitigation measures that could eliminate or minimize any adverse environmental effects for the project.
2013 c 114 art 4 s 92; 1Sp2015 c 4 art 4 s 121
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 114C - 116I — Environmental Protection
Chapter 116C — Environmental Quality Board
Section 116C.02 — Definitions.
Section 116C.03 — Environmental Quality Board; Membership; Chair; Staff.
Section 116C.04 — Powers And Duties.
Section 116C.08 — Federal Funds; Donations.
Section 116C.34 — Bureau Of Business Licenses.
Section 116C.71 — Definitions.
Section 116C.711 — Nuclear Waste Council.
Section 116C.72 — Radioactive Waste Management Facility.
Section 116C.721 — Public Participation.
Section 116C.722 — Legal And Technical Assistance To Indian Tribes.
Section 116C.723 — Consultation And Cooperation Agreement.
Section 116C.724 — Drilling Permits; Access To Test Data; Public Meetings; Negotiations.
Section 116C.73 — Transporting Radioactive Wastes Into State.
Section 116C.731 — Transporting High-level Radioactive Waste.
Section 116C.75 — Definitions.
Section 116C.76 — Nuclear Waste Depository; Release Into Groundwater.
Section 116C.771 — Additional Cask Limitations.
Section 116C.772 — Public Utility Responsibilities.
Section 116C.773 — Contractual Agreement.
Section 116C.774 — Authorization.
Section 116C.775 — Shipment Priorities; Nuclear Plants.
Section 116C.776 — Alternative Cask Technology For Spent Fuel Storage.
Section 116C.779 — Funding For Renewable Development.
Section 116C.7791 — Rebates For Solar Photovoltaic Modules.
Section 116C.7792 — Solar Energy Production Incentive Program.
Section 116C.83 — Authorization For Additional Dry Cask Storage.
Section 116C.831 — Midwest Interstate Low-level Radioactive Waste Compact.
Section 116C.832 — Definitions.
Section 116C.833 — Compact Commission Member.
Section 116C.834 — Assessment Of Generators.
Section 116C.835 — Enforcing Compact And Laws.
Section 116C.836 — Actions Concerning Interstate Commission And Party States.
Section 116C.838 — Effect On Existing State Law.
Section 116C.840 — Duty To Provide Information.
Section 116C.842 — Contingent Provisions.
Section 116C.843 — Congressional Conditions On Compact Consent.
Section 116C.849 — Siting Criteria.
Section 116C.91 — Definitions.
Section 116C.92 — Coordinating Activities.
Section 116C.96 — Cost Reimbursement.
Section 116C.99 — Silica Sand Mining Model Standards And Criteria.
Section 116C.991 — Environmental Review; Silica Sand Projects.