Citizens Can Prevent Detrimental Development: Environmental Assessment & Citizen Petition Process In Minnesota

Jessie Houlihan

Do It Green! Minnesota

Each year development continues to encroach upon open spaces in Minnesota. Regardless of where you live, you can probably think of a development nearby that was constructed on land that was degraded by the construction, such as wetlands or special animal habitat. In order to build, the developer must submit documentation of the plan and, if necessary, conduct an environmental assessment that must be approved before construction. By petitioning for environmental assessment, reviewing the reports, and commenting on the provided assessment, citizens can work to prevent detrimental development.

Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are the documentation forms that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requires developers to complete for environmental review. According to the MPCA, the assessment process was designed to disclose information about the potential negative environmental effects of the proposed development and find ways to avoid or minimize them. The review is conducted according to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB), but it is overseen by a local government unit or state agency that is deemed the responsible government unit (RGU). The EQB publishes the EQB Monitor, which includes information on all filed assessment and reports that are open for review. (To sign up for the electronic EQB Monitor visit www.eqb.state.mn.us/monitor.html and click on “Register a New Account.”) In Minnesota, the review process includes several ways to incorporate citizen opinion.

If a citizen feels environmental assessment is needed for a proposed project and if the project qualifies for environmental review, the citizen (or citizen’s group) can write a petition and gather at least 25 signatures. The petition can than be submitted to the EQB and the project proposer. After review, the EQB determines the RGU for the project and the RGU reviews the petition. The RGU is required to make a decision-either to grant the petition and require an EAW, or to deny the petition-within 30 working days. The decision will be published in the following issue of the electronic EQB Monitor.

After submitting assessment (EAWs and EISs), the report becomes available online. Citizens can officially review the worksheet and discuss areas that were misrepresented or need further environmental review. Since the report is created by the development proposer, the information may have a slant that minimizes negative impacts-read closely. Details on the assessment and citizen review requirements are available online (see web resources.)

By remaining active in the environmental assessment process, citizens can prevent development that is detrimental to the environment and promote thorough ecological review.

Detrimental Development

Green Tips

Buy Green Office Supplies

“Green” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to so-called green office supplies. To help your office green up, consider durability, natural resource and energy use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging before you purchase supplies. You can also set up a reuse system for the supplies you already have. For more tips on green office products, check out this article.

Learn from Woodbury

Is it possible for one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota to be sustainable? The City of Woodbury has committed to try. Since adopting its initial Sustainability Resolution in 2006, the City has progressed toward becoming a sustainable community through several initiatives. You can read more about them in here. Can your city follow suit?

Plant a Rain Garden

Many people do not realize that rain carries pollutants from our houses, yards, streets, sidewalks and parking lots to the nearest storm drain, leading directly to local lakes, streams and rivers. Rain gardens are designed to have a center depression to help rainwater seep into the soil. This infiltration helps recharge groundwater and reduces polluted runoff.

Check out our article on rain gardens to learn more.

Learn from Shoreview

Shoreview Green Community is a group of citizens from the north metro community of Shoreview who are working with the Sierra Club North Star Chapter to make Shoreview a model community for its environmental practices. The group focuses on clean water, efficient resource use, and transportation issues. Learn more about how your community can model Shoreview’s environmental efforts here.

Purchase Sustainable Lumber and Wood Products

Minnesota’s forests are vital to the state economy and environment. The Minnesota wood products industry provides employment to rural communities and serves markets throughout the world. As global trade in forest products grows, forest certification has emerged as a mechanism for consumers to identify wood products produced from sustainably managed forests. Nearly 50 different companies in Minnesota manufacture and market certified products. Retailers and distributors sell a variety of lumber, paneling, and decking products. Numerous local paper and printing companies also offer certified products.

More info here!

Green Your Child’s Lunch

Home-packed lunches can be fun, healthy, and green, with very little time or money required. A child’s lunch, including organic fruit, requires less than five minutes on average to prepare and could cost as little as $1.00 per day-compared to over $2.25 for school lunch.

Try these suggestions to green your packed lunches, whether for children, adults, or picnics!

Unplug to Avoid Phantom Load

Did you know that you have electronics in your home leaking electricity—electricity that you pay for—24 hours a day, 7 days a week? The power drain is called “phantom load,” and it is a big problem with a simple solution.

The easiest strategy is to use power strips to cut the power to your electronics. When you turn off a power strip, it stops phantom load leaks. Start with your entertainment center and home office where you can find the biggest leaks: televisions, game consoles and computers. Make sure your power strip is located in an easy-to-reach place so you can easily turn it on or off. Set up a power strip as a charger station where your family can plug in all their cell phones, PDAs and music players. Most importantly…turn it off when you’re not using it!

Check Out This Template for Action

Scientists say a global warming “tipping point” in the Arctic seems to be happening before their eyes. Sea ice in the Arctic Ocean is at its second lowest level in about 30 years. These news flashes are just some of our climate’s changes happening daily. You and your kids can help. Read more here, and then check out Climate Generations’s Take Action! Guide, which offers hands-on activities for grades 3-12.

Plant a Seed, Grow a Community

Community Gardens are community spaces that are communally cultivated and cared for; these spaces may consist of individually-worked plots, multiple person caretaker areas, sitting areas, and small-scale children play areas. Some say community gardens are the last existing opportunity Americans have to reclaim common spaces. This article offers great information about the many benefits community gardens provide.

Host a Clothing Swap

Swapping is a great way to eliminate waste and engage in reuse. Instead of throwing away items that you no longer want, you give them to someone who does, and instead of purchasing brand new items, you can reuse items you receive from others. Swapping can also be a way to provide items to people who cannot afford to purchase them, and it is a wonderful way to meet new people and build a sense of community.

Check out Swapping Made Easy for a full list of tips to hosting your own swap!

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Citizens Can Prevent Detrimental Development: Environmental Assessment & Citizen Petition Process In Minnesota

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