Roseau Lake Rehabilitation & Sprague Creek Wetland Restoration

Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as the Responsible Governmental Unit for environmental review of the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation and Sprague Creek Wetland Restoration Project, located in Roseau County, Minnesota, has issued the Record of Decision (ROD) regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

The DNR has concluded that an EIS is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The justification for this determination is contained in the ROD. The Record also contains the Department's responses to all substantive written comments received on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet during the 30-day public review and comment period.

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

The Roseau Lake Rehabilitation project would install water control structures, embankments, and a drainage way to allow for water level management in the historic Roseau lakebed. Improved water level management capability would reduce peak flows and adjust timing of outflows of existing storage, which would reduce flooding damage and improve wildlife habitat. Restoration of hydrology at Sprague Creek would provide wetland mitigation for the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project.

Documents

The Minnesota DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the project. Public notice of the availability of these documents for public comment is in the December 14, 2020 EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period will be open from December 14, 2020 until 4:30 p.m., January 13, 2021.

A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:

  • Crookston Public Library, 110 North Ash Street, Crookston, MN 56716
  • Roseau Public Library, 121 Center St E # 100, Roseau, MN, 56751
  • Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5067

Deadline for comments:

All written comments on the EAW must be received by Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. People who submit comments will receive a copy of the decision document, which includes responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters' names and email or postal addresses will also be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials they submit.

Comments can be submitted as follows:

Electronically:

Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] with "Roseau Lake" in the subject line.

By mail:

Jill Townley, Environmental Review Unit - Supervisor
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Back to top