Mn/DOT and the Federal Highway Administration have not and will not bypass any environmental or permit requirements. Mn/DOT is using existing environmental review streamlining measures that have been developed with federal, state and local partners over the past decade. Mn/DOT has had a high level of cooperation from federal, state and local resource agencies to expedite the existing review and permitting processes during this emergency.

Environmental review for the bridge replacement is being performed through a federal categorical exclusion document and the state and federal permitting process. This environmental process still includes thorough analysis of the full range of potential environmental issues, including but not limited to threatened and endangered species, historic and archeological resources, park and recreation impacts, and many others.

Federal and state permits are still required as a part of the development process for the new bridge. To date Mn/DOT has received permits from the Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Permits from the Coast Guard and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are pending. The National Park Service is a part of the visual quality team, along with City of Minneapolis, Friends of the Mississippi River, State Historic Preservation Office and many others to address aesthetics/visual quality of the new structure.

Permits List -updated Nov. 14, 2007

Demolition & debris removal project permits/approvals

• National Environmental Protection Act - Categorical Exclusion approved
• Threatened and Endangered Species - Clearance Letter
• Section 106 (State Historic Preservation Officer) Concurrence Letter
• Minnesota Environmental Protection Act - Exempt
• Corps of Engineers Permit - Nationwide Permit issued
• Department of Natural Resources Permit - General issued
• Coast Guard Section 9 – is not needed for the demolition removal
• Regulated Material Report - (debris sampled, no asbestos in bridge debris)
• Contamination issues - consultants on call as needed
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System - Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan in place and General Construction Permit issued by Mn Pollution Control Agency

I-35W St Anthony Bridge replacement permits/approvals

• National Environmental Protection Act - Project Memo / 4(f) approved
• Threatened & Endangered Species - Clearance Letter received
• Section 106 (State Historic Preservation Officer) Concurrence Letter received
  • Memorandum of Agreement and 4(f) statement for removal of 5 (out of 6) historic railroad tracks and retaining wall approved
    
• Air Quality Conformity - Exempt under the current scope of bridge replacement
• Minnesota Environmental Protection Act - Exempt
• Corps of Engineers Permit - General issued
• Coast Guard Section 9 issued
  
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 401 Cert – issued
• Department of Natural Resources Permit - General permit issued
• Contamination issues - Consultants on board; Phase 1 investigation complete, Phase 2 investigation underway,coordination ongoing
• National Pollution Discharge Elimination System – Storm Water Pollution Protection Plan (SWPP) -General Construction permit approved and SWPP inplace
  
• Visual Quality –Visual Quality Advisory Team assembled and meetings continue. A Design Charrette has been held in order to provide community input into aesthetic design of bridge.
  
  

Recovery of traffic permits/approvals

• National Environmental Protection Act - Categorical Exclusion approved for August projects
• Minnesota Environmental Protection Act - August projects exempt or cleared
• NPDES - SWPPP August projects less than 1 acre not required
• Air Quality Conformity - All Emergency Repair projects exempt
• Contamination issues - consultants on call as needed, coordination with PCA ongoing
• No Department of Natural Resources or Corps of Engineers permits needed for August projects
  

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