INFORMATION #1 04-11-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cambridge Station March 28, 2005 Page Two Summary of the RUS Environmental Assessment Process The RUS is required to complete an EA with Scoping for the generating plant and the associated transmission facilities to enable the release of federal loan funds for the project. In addition to evaluating the proposed site, the RUS rules require that an alternative site be proposed. Great River Energy's Elk River campus at 17845 East Highway 10, Elk River, Minnesota is the proposed alternative site. The process requires that a scoping meeting be held in which the public has an opportunity to comment on the scope of the EA. The scoping meeting for the EQB Site permit and the RUS Environmental Assessment can be held as one meeting. The RUS will prepare an Environmental Report on the project and make a determination if it warrants a Finding of No Significant Impact. Meeting Information The EQB will conduct a public information meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Hall Building at the Isanti County Fairgrounds. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information to the public about the proposed project, to answer questions and to allow the public an opportunity to suggest alternatives and impacts that should be considered during preparation of the environmental review document. Written comments must be submitted no later than April 28, 2005. The RUS will conduct 2 scoping meetings in Open House forum on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Community Hall Building at the Isanti County Fairgrounds and on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Elk River Parks & Recreation, 1104 Lions Park Drive NW in Elk River, Minnesota. Where to Learn More For more information about the EQB site permit application or to have your name included on the EQB contact list for this project, contact Bill Storm, Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, 658 Cedar St, St. Paul, MN 55155 or call 651-296-9535. TTY: Minnesota Relay Service 800-627-3529, and ask for Minnesota Planning. For more information about the RUS Environmental Assessment, contact Nurul Islam, Environmental Protection Specialist, Rural Utilities Service, Engineering and Environmental Staff, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-1571, telephone 202-720-1414, FAX: 202-720-0820, e-mail: Nurul.lslam@usda.Qov. Current information about the project and copies of project documents are available online at htto:llwww.areatriverenerav.com/oroiects/olants/oroiolants.html. Project information may also be obtained by calling 763-241-2200 or you may call me at 1-800-442-3013 ext. 2491 or 763-241-2491. Sincerely, GREAT RIVER ENERGY -rn~~/yt. Mark Strohfus Environmental Project Leader Enclosures CC: Henry Fischer, East Central Energy - w/encls.