Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of the bill is to change certain environmental review processes in Minnesota by repealing specific reporting requirements related to environmental assessment worksheets and environmental impact statements.

Main Provisions

• This bill proposes to repeal Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 116D.04, subdivision 5b.
• The statute being repealed required a periodic review (every three years) of mandatory environmental assessment worksheet categories and mandatory environmental impact statement categories.

Significant Changes

• Repealing the statute will remove the obligation for the Environmental Quality Board, Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Transportation to submit a report detailing:
  • The historical purpose of environmental review categories.
  • Whether projects under these categories require additional local, state, or federal permits.
  • An analysis with recommendations on whether the mandatory categories should be modified, eliminated, or unchanged.

Relevant Terms

• Environmental impact statements
• Environmental assessment worksheets
• Environmental Quality Board
• Pollution Control Agency
• Department of Natural Resources
• Department of Transportation