04-28-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Request for Council Action continued Page 2 April 25. 1997 Spring Hill Golf Club - Decision Regarding Need for EIS Basis For Decision The decision on the need for an EIS must be made in accordance with the standards and procedures of Minnesota Rules 4410.1700 (Exhibit B attached). An EIS must be ordered if Council finds that the project has the potential for significant environmental effects. In making this decision Council must compare the impacts that may be reaSPnably gxpgg.tsd to occur with the following criteria: A. The type, extent, and reversibility of environmental effects; B. The cumulative potential effects of related or anticipated future projects; C. The extent to which the environmental effects can be mitigated by ongoing public regulatory' authorities; and D. The extent to which environmental effects can be anticipated and controlled as a result of other environmental studies undertaken by public agencies or the project proposer, or of EIS's previously prepared on similar projects. Process Update The consultant who completed the EAW document has reviewed the comments received from the reviewing agencies and other commenters. and has prepared a draft of responses to the comments. These responses have been provided to the Council and to the City's engineering and environmental consultants for review and comment including any suggested revisions. The City's enviro^ental consultant will complete his review and provide comments and any suggested revisions by Wednesday, April 30. Both the engineering consultant and the environmental consultant have indicated the EAW document and the responses to the comments provide information at the level of detail generally required of an EAW. The one area which may require additional clarification in the responses is the Big Woods issue. The applicant and his consultant have met with the DNR to discuss the comments of the DNR and the responses to those comments. The applicant is revising the responses related to the DNR's Big Woods comments to provide additional clarification of the impacts. The City s environmental consultant is also focusing on the Big Woods comments and responses. The Council's record-of-decision regarding the EAW involves either a positive or negative declaration. It is important that this record-of-decision include substantial discussion regarding the basis of th" decision, including a set of findings reflecting the basis of the decision. If the declaration is a positive one, the findings will be used to focus the scope of the EIS. If the declaration is a negative one, the findings will be used to document and substantiate the decision. /‘-I