The Falke Farm About the EAW (Exhibit B)

Part of the Minnesota River Decision Cases (other cases available)
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About the EAW

An EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) is a questionnaire used to help a local government or state agency decide if a proposed project has the "potential for significant environmental effects." The EAW is used to determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared.

The EIS is part of the formal process established by the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act of 1973 for reviewing environmental impacts of major development projects such as airports, animal feedlots, commercial or residential developments, hazardous waste facilities, highway projects, marinas, sewage systems, and solid waste facilities. Examples of "environmental" impacts are water quality, air quality, effects on wildlife or wildlife habitat, ecologically sensitive areas, parklands, historic sites, increased noise levels, and odors.

Some projects, based on their size and location, are automatically required to have an EAW and EIS completed. Others may have an EAW requested by citizen petition. The petition process is not a means for resolving a disagreement about whether a project should be built. The petition requires the signatures and mailing addresses of at least 25 people and "material evidence" showing that the nature or location of the proposed project has potential for significant environmental effects. The EAW process can delay construction on a project for several months.

The Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU), which has responsibility for the approval or disapproval of the project, is responsible for making case-by-case decisions on the need for an EIS or EAW. The request for environmental review is only approved when the RGU determines there may be the potential for significant environmental effects.

Part of the Minnesota River Decision Cases (other cases available)
View Teaching Note or Decision Case for this case.