Environmental Review for Commercial and Industrial Projects - Mandatory EAW - EIS

The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) oversees the Minnesota Environmental Review Program. The Environmental Review Program was created to avoid and minimize damage to Minnesota’s environmental resources caused by public and private actions. The program accomplishes this by requiring certain proposed projects to undergo special review procedures prior to obtaining approvals and permits otherwise needed. The program assigns a unit of government, the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) to conduct the review using a standardized process.

Certain types of commercial, industrial and institutional projects may be subject to environmental review in Minnesota, which may include an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and/or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). For many proposed projects, the determination as to whether and what type of review may be required is based on total gross floor space of the project:


Mandatory EAW
A. Construction of a new or expansion of an existing warehousing or light industrial facility with gross floor space greater than 150,000 (higher thresholds may apply depending on location)
B. Construction of a new or expansion of an existing industrial, commercial, or institutional facility with gross floor space greater than 100,000 (higher thresholds may apply depending on location)

Mandatory EIS
A. Construction of a new or expansion of an existing warehousing or light industrial facility with gross floor space greater than 375,000 (higher thresholds may apply depending on location)
B. Construction of a new or expansion of an existing industrial, commercial, or institutional facility with gross floor space greater than 250,000 (higher thresholds may apply depending on location)

Some exemptions exist depending on location, size and specific nature of the proposed project. For some specific types of industrial developments, industry-specific thresholds must also be considered.


Caltha LLP assists both project proposers and RGUs complete environmental reviews, including Environmental Assessment Worksheets and Environmental Impact Statements.

For further information, contact Caltha LLP at:
Email: info@calthacompany.com
Phone: (763) 208-6430
Website: www.calthacompany.com

Two Minnesota offices - Minneapolis and Pine River