The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is seeking comments from the public on a draft generic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction of public water access (boat launching) sites in Minnesota. The draft generic EA evaluates two action alternatives, along with the “No Action” alternative as required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Under the preferred alternative, the Minnesota DNR would continue to use Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act funds to construct and renovate public water access sites throughout Minnesota. A site-specific worksheet would be developed for each new access site under the generic EA.
Other alternatives being considered include:
- a reduced level of public access development work by the DNR without the use of federal funds, and
- no new public construction/renovation work (relying instead on private efforts to meet the public’s water access needs).
A copy of the EA is available online at www.mndnr.gov"> (click on “Public Input” then select “Statewide Public Water Access Development EA” from the scroll-down list under “Environmental Review”). Print copies of the draft EA may also be obtained from Casey Nelson, Acquisition and Regulatory Coordinator, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Trails Division, via e-mail (http://www.fws.gov
