The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced its revised Enbridge Line 3 replacement permit schedule. The schedule includes a 30-day public comment period starting March 2, early tribal notice and public engagement opportunities for the 401 water quality certification and wastewater permit.
While the comment period will start on March 2, 2020, the MPCA will release its draft 401 certification and wastewater permit on February 26, 2020. The early release of draft permits and certification will provide the public additional time to review before the start of the 30-day comment period.
In addition, recognizing and supporting the unique status of Minnesota Tribal Nations, and to facilitate meaningful and timely engagement, the MPCA will give Tribes a minimum of two weeks to review draft water permits before the start of the comment period.
During the comment period, the MPCA will hold two meetings where the public is invited to attend and learn more about the project, as well as give feedback on the draft documents that will be part of the official record. The public comment meetings are scheduled for March 17, 2020, in Bemidji at the Sanford Center and March 18, 2020, in Grand Rapids at the Timberlake Lodge. The agency will release additional details on the meetings closer to the public comment period.
The MPCA released the revised schedule after the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision this week to approve the project. On September 27, 2019, the MPCA denied without prejudice Enbridge’s request for 401 certification because additional information was needed to ensure compliance with water quality standards. Enbridge sent a revised 401 certification application on November 15, 2019.
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For more information on the Line 3 replacement project and schedule, as well as sign up for project updates, visit the MPCA's Line 3 website .
