Environmental process
In June 2004, the EA/EAW document was approved for public review by Mn/DOT (the responsible governmental unit under state law) and by the Federal Hwy Administration (FHWA, the federal agency with authority for the project). In early July 2004, EA/EAW documents were made available for review at a number of local libraries and governmental offices. A public hearing was held on July 22, 2004, and the official comment period remained open until August 19, 2004.
After reviewing comments received on the EA/EAW published in July 2004, Mn/DOT has determined that all state requirements for environmental review of the I-35WHwy /62 Reconstruction project have been met and issued a "Negative Declaration," concluding that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. The Federal Hwy Administration has approved a "Revised Record of Decision," which also concludes that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement will not be required. These decisions by Mn/DOT and FHWA conclude the state and federal environmental review processes. Permits identified in the EA/EAW will be processed during the preparation of final construction plans.
A "Findings of Fact and Conclusions" documents the basis for these decisions. This document includes copies of all comments received during the EA/EAW review period, along with responses to all substantive comments.
The "Findings of Fact and Conclusions" document is available for review at the following libraries:
Minneapolis Public Library - Washburn
5244 Lyndale Avenue S.
Minneapolis
Southdale Library
7001 York Avenue
Edina
Augsburg Park Community Library
7100 Nicollet Avenue
Richfield
Minneapolis Public Library - Hosmer
347 East 36th Street
Minneapolis
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Environmental process
The I-35W/Hwy 62 Reconstruction project has been the subject of a series of environmental documentation processes as design plans for the area have evolved over time.
A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed in 1992 documenting the environmental impacts associated with reconstruction of I-35W from downtown Minneapolis to Burnsville. In 1995 the Final EIS was completed to document the preferred alternative for the project. Changes were made to the design proposed for rebuilding the I-35W/Hwy 62 Crosstown Commons in 1996. To address impacts associated with this design change, an EIS Addendum was prepared and approved by the Federal Hwy Administration (FHWA) in December 1996. Together these documents constitute a comprehensive study of environmental impacts associated with plans for I-35W/Hwy 62 Reconstruction.
A copy of the 1995 Final EIS is available for public review at the following libraries:
Technology and Science Section
Minneapolis Public Library
Marquette Plaza
250 Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Legislative Reference Library
645 State Office Building
St. Paul, MN 55155
Since 1995, the design has been refined with a combined Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) document. This format is adopted when a project meets both state and federal thresholds for environmental review. The EA/EAW document consists of a completed state EAW embedded into a more detailed and comprehensive federal EA document.
The EA/EAW document evaluated the physical, social and economic impacts associated with the design plans. The key issues addressed in the EA/EAW include:
- Traffic
- Noise
- Air quality
- Water resources (run-off and encroachment on water bodies)
- Cultural resources, including historically significant sites and buildings
- Construction impacts
- Right of way
- Parks
- Visual/aesthetics