North Country National Scenic Trail (Becker County Section)

Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review of the North Country National Scenic Trail (Becker County Section), has issued a Record of Decision regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement for the project. The MDNR has concluded that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The justification for this determination is contained in the Record of Decision. The Record of Decision also contains the Department's responses to all substantive written comments received on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet during the 30-day review and comment period.

Issuing this Record of Decision concludes the State environmental review process for this project according to Minnesota Environmental Quality Board rules, Minnesota Rules, part 4410.1000 to 4410.1700. This project can proceed to permitting and approvals.

Documents

Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)

Documents

North Country Trail (Becker County Section) EAW Cover Letter This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

North Country Trail (Becker County Section) EAW This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Attachments

  • Attachment A This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    Natural Heritage Information System Review of the Vicinity of the Proposed North Country National Scenic Trail (Becker Segment) - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul
  • Attachment B This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    Natural Resources Conservation Service. Becker County Soil Survey (1998). Soil Data Viewer software.
    • B.1 - Path and Trails Report.
    • B.2 - Qualities and Features of Soils of Project Area of North Country NST (Becker Segment).
  • Attachment C This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    State Historical Preservation Office Comment Letter - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN.

Figures

County map showing the general location of the project

  • Figure 1 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    General Project Location
  • Figure 2 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    North Country National Scenic Trail - Minnesota Section
  • Figure 3 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    North Country National Scenic Trail - Becker County Proposed Route

U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 minute, 1:24,000 scale map indicating project boundaries (photocopy acceptable)

  • Figure 4 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    Project Site Plans Exhibited on Series of Eight Figures of U.S. Geological Survey Quadrangle Maps (North Country National Scenic Trail - Becker Segment) (includes project developments, natural features, and route limitations ratings). Series referenced as Figure 4.1, 4.2, etc.

Special features of project

  • Figure 5 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    Diagrams of 5.1) Type 1 puncheon, 5.2) Type 3 puncheon, 5.3) Bog Bridge (with sleeper logs), 5.4) Bog Bridge (step and run technique), and 5.5) Boardwalk.
  • Figure 6 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.
    Photos exhibiting typical conditions along recently constructed hiking trail: 6.1) Trail Through Mature Forest, 6.2) Side-hill Trail Construction, 6.3) Treadway Stabilized by Mosses and Outsloping, and 6.4) Recently Constructed Trail Segment Stabilized by Vegetation.

Review Period

A 30-day public review and comment period will being on July 26, 2010, with the publication of the notice of availability of this EAW in the EQB Monitor. The MDNR invites public comments on the EAW during the public review period from July 26, 2010 to August 25, 2010.

The proposed project

The North Country Trail Association proposes to build 25.6 miles of new trail and designate 19.3 miles of existing trail and rural road-walk as an extension of the North Country National Scenic Trail (a non-motorized footpath). This section of the trail would begin about six miles west-northwest of Ponsford, Minnesota, in east-central Becker County, and terminate at the city limits of Frazee, Minnesota. The trail connects to a previously designated section of the North Country NST at its northern end and traverses southward, mostly through forested habitat on public and private lands.

Send comments

Written and signed comments on the EAW must be received by Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.

By mail:

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Division of Ecological Resources, Box 25
Attn: Ronald Wieland
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Electronically:

Send to Environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us. "North Country Trail (Becker) EAW" must be included in the subject line. Include your name and mailing address so that you can be added to the mailing list.

By fax:

Submit signed comment letters by fax to 651-297-1500.

Questions

Please call 651-259-5157 if you have questions about this EAW.