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Oakwater Ridge EAW 1 Findings of Fact and Conclusions, Response to Comments, and Record of Decision INTRODUCTION The Oakwater Ridge residential/commercial development (herein referred to as “the Project”) proposes a residential/commercial development on approximately ±248 acres west of U.S. Highway 10/169 and east of the Mississippi River in the City of Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota. The project will include 536 single-family residential homes and a commercial parcel (likely consisting of a multi-tenant retail strip and a gas station). The project will include several internal roadways, a river overlook, an open space/recreational area, a future trail, a greenway corridor, and stormwater features. The Project area currently consists of cultivated fields, hayfields, old paddocks, woodlands, wetlands, floodplain, and a farmstead with two single-family homes and barns. A former bus lot with two buried diesel/gasoline tanks is located east of the farmstead structures. One of the structures was utilized as a bus-maintenance garage. The development includes the construction of stormwater ponds and infiltration basins to meet stormwater requirements (water quality, volume, and rate). Mass grading will physically manipulate the site's vegetation, soil, and topography. Grading is required to construct the roadway, stormwater features, and residential/commercial buildings, as well as to install minor utilities (cable/internet) and extend the public utilities (water main and sewer). The phased construction will utilize standard construction methods. A park is planned for the portion of the lower cultivated field above the floodplain and would likely require ground leveling for trails, play structures, and/or a pavilion. The 247.65-acre development is anticipated to occur in several phases over several years (approximately eight phases over nine years). EAW NOTIFICATION, DISTRIBUTION, AND COMMENT PERIOD In accordance with Minnesota Rules 4410.1500, the EAW was completed and distributed to persons and agencies on the official Environmental Quality Board (EQB) distribution list. The EQB published notice of availability of the EAW in the EQB Monitor on May 20th, 2025 initiating a 30-day comment period that concluded on June 20th, 2025. A hard copy of the EAW was made available for review during the comment period at Elk River City Hall located at 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330. Appendix A includes copies of the comment letters and emails received. A copy of the published EAW is included as Appendix B. COMMENTS RECEIVED The following comment letters or emails received: Letter 1: State Historic Preservation Office Letter dated June 10th, 2025 from Amy Spong, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. Letter 2: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Letter dated June 18th, 2025 from Chris Green, Project Manager.