Environmental Reviews
In Minnesota, state laws aim to balance development with environmental protection. To do this, the state requires an environmental review process, which provides for Environmental Assessment Worksheets (EAW), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and Alternative Urban Areawide Reviews (AUAR). For certain types of development listed in State Statute 116D, the City of Duluth is designated as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU).
When is environmental review required?
Minnesota Rules 4410 describe thresholds for environmental review; the remainder of this page focuses only on those categories for which the City of Duluth is the RGU.
To determine whether your project requires environmental review, visit ePlace, the City's permitting portal, and fill out the EAW need determination (link coming soon!) or reach out to planning staff at planning@duluthmn.gov. All development and redevelopment, unless a reuse of existing building with no additions, should fill out the form. Within 1-2 weeks you will receive a determination about whether your project requires environmental review.
If your project changes in size, scope, or character, you must fill out the form again and receive a new environmental review determination.
What types of environmental review may be needed?
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW). The EAW is a document designed to lay out the facts of a project to determine whether any potential environmental impacts could exist for a project. The EAW is completed by the RGU.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). If an RGU determines there is potential for significant environmental impacts, the next step in the process is for the RGU to complete a more detailed EIS that analyzes alternatives to the proposed project and methods for reducing adverse effects.
Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). The AUAR is a hybrid of the EAW and EIS processes and focuses on multiple development scenarios within a given geographic area. Since it includes multiple scenarios over a broad area, and is updated every 5 years, it can provide flexibility where projects might occur in multiple phases over several years, or where the exact development details are not yet known.
What is the process for completing an environmental review?
1. Project proposer submits an environmental review determination form in ePlace. There is no fee for this determination.
2. The City determines whether a review is required and sends an environmental review determination to the applicant.
3. If environmental review is needed, project proposer applies for the environmental review in ePlace, including payment of the fee for this application (make sure to check your cart after submitting!). This fee covers a portion of the staff time and City expenses associated with the review.
4. City staff will prepare a scope of work based on the application and provide a cost estimate to the applicant. The City of Duluth, as the RGU legally responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the environmental review, maintains current agreements with consultants to complete the reviews on behalf of the City. The City will select a consultant for the proposed project based on timing, type of project, and availability of the consultant team to complete the project in a timely manner.
5. Applicant will send the estimated fee for the consultant, to be placed in escrow for the project. The project proposer is responsible for all costs related to analysis and production of the environmental review document; the escrow will be held without interest and used only for project costs; any remaining amount will be returned to the project proposer.
6. Once escrow is received, consultant will begin work on the review. The project will provide all information necessary including project plans, surveys, wetland delineations, and impact analyses.
7. The remainder of the process will follow the applicable steps identified in Minnesota Rule 4410.
How long does this process take?
Estimated timelines from the application to completion of the review process are provided below; these are general estimates that may change depending on scope, complexity, and circumstances.
| EAW | 4-8 months |
| AUAR | 8-12 months |
| EIS | 12-24 months |
Current Environmental Reviews
None at this time.
Recent Environmental Reviews
Sofidel America- Duluth Facility Expansion EAW
PLEAW-2408-0001- EAW document- (83 MB)
- Findings of Fact and Record of Decision(comment responses attached) (pdf)
Central High School Redevelopment Project AUAR
Documents:
Final Action – 5-14-2024 – Planning Commission Adoption of AUAR (2 MB)
PL 23-127 Staff Memo – Final AUAR Adoption (for 5-14-2024 Planning Commission meeting) (.pdf 5.2 MB)
PL 23-127 Staff Memo – Final AUAR Review (for 4-9-2024 Planning Commission meeting)
Comments and Comment Responses on Draft AUAR 20240405 (.pdf 1.5 MB)
Final AUAR Narrative with Appendices 20240404 (.pdf 25.3 MB)
Draft AUAR with Appendices (.pdf 28 MB)
Order for AUAR (.pdf 5.14 MB) – approved by Planning Commission January 9, 2024
Scoping EAW Document (.pdf 3.21 MB)
Appendix A – Maps and Figures (.pdf 5.9 MB)
Appendix B – FEMA FIRMette (.pdf 0.8 MB)
Appendix C – MDH Well Log Reports (.pdf 0.1 MB)
Appendix D – DNR NHIS-USFWS IPaC Species List (.pdf 10.9 MB)