Phase 2
Phase 2 Environmental Documentation
About Phase 2
Phase 2 of Rethinking I-94 — which will occur between 2018 and 2020 — will focus on continuing engagement with I-94 communities, developing and evaluating alternatives for I-94, and identifying actions to address I-94 needs. This will be done as part of an extensive environmental documentation process in agreement with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
What is NEPA?
NEPA is a national policy aimed at preventing or eliminating damage to the environment while stimulating the health & welfare of people. The act establishes a federal responsibility to:
- Assure safe, productive, and esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings
- Preserve important historic, cultural and natural aspects
- Balance between people and resource use
NEPA process
- Public Involvement – MnDOT is committed to increasing transparency and collaboration and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in public engagement.
- Interagency coordination – Collaborative decision making with federal, state and local agencies is key to achieving environmentally responsible transportation decisions.
- Purpose and need – The purpose and need statement explains why MnDOT is undertaking the proposed
- action and what its objectives are.
- Alternatives – A range of proposed alternatives are compared and evaluated to select a preferred alternative.
- Impacts – Part of the alternatives comparison includes estimating social, economic and environmental impacts of each alternative.
- Mitigation – The NEPA process is intended to help public officials make decisions that are based on understanding of environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment.
- Documentation – The purpose of documenting the NEPA process provides for complete disclosure to the public; allows others an opportunity to provide input and comment on proposals, alternatives, and environmental impacts; and provides the appropriate information for the decision maker to make a reasoned choice among alternatives.
For more information on NEPA, visit FHWA NEPA transportation Decisionmaking or Highway Project Development Process.
Note: This page will be updated as new information becomes available.