DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Distribute Negative Declaration On Need For Environmental Impact Statement For Ravenna Township, County Project 54-11
end
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Dakota County (County) is proposing County Project 54-11 in Ravenna Township; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of County Project 54-11 is to reconstruct County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 between 18th Street East in Hastings and CSAH 68 (200th Street East) to improve safety, mobility, drainage, and flood resilience; and
WHEREAS, the project includes horizontal and vertical curve corrections, widened shoulders, turn lanes at key intersections, drainage improvements, replacement of aging structures, raising roadway segments within mapped floodplain, and construction of a roundabout at the CSAH 68 intersection; and
WHEREAS, the EAW evaluated a 10-foot multi-use trail under the maximum-disturbance alternative, the County Board has determined that the roadway reconstruction project will not include a multi-use trail; and
WHEREAS, the County, as Responsible Governmental Unit, prepared an EAW for County Project 54-11 to evaluate the project’s environmental impacts in accordance with Minn. Stat. §116D and Minnesota Rules Chapter 4410; and
WHEREAS, resolution 26-280, adopted on June 23, 2026, authorized distribution of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for County Project 54-11; and
WHEREAS, the Notice of Availability for the EAW was published in the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Monitor, initiating a 30-day public comment period; and
WHEREAS, the County reviewed all agency and public comments received during the comment period; and
WHEREAS, based on the EAW, public comments, and criteria in Minnesota Rules 4410.1700, County staff has determined that County Project 54-11 does not have the potential for significant environmental effects; and
WHEREAS, the EAW evaluated wetland impacts using a maximum-disturbance footprint; the actual impacts will be refined during final design based on the Road-Only alternative and through the WCA boundary/type approval process; and
WHEREAS, the County will continue coordination with regulatory agencies, including the Minnesota DNR, MPCA, SHPO, VRWJPO, MDH, and the City of Hastings, to secure all required permits and implement avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures identified in the Findings of Fact and Conclusions; and
WHEREAS, no agencies or members of the public requested preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement during the comment period; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends that the County Board adopt the Findings of Fact and Conclusions and issue a Negative Declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby makes the following findings of fact:
• Dakota County is the Responsible Governmental Unit for the environmental review of County Project 54-11.
• A State Environmental Assessment Worksheet was prepared and distributed in accordance with Minnesota Rules Chapter 4410.
• All applicable procedural requirements for environmental review have been met.
• The Environmental Assessment Worksheet, public comments, agency review, and supporting information provide an adequate basis to determine whether the project has the potential for significant environmental effects.
• Based on the type, extent, and reversibility of the environmental effects identified, the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects.
; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners concludes that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required for County Project 54-11; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes distribution of a Negative Declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement to all parties on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet distribution list and to all persons or agencies submitting written comments during the public review period.
end
BACKGROUND
Dakota County, in partnership with the City of Hastings, Prairie Island Indian Community, and Ravenna Township, is advancing County Project 54-11 to reconstruct CSAH 54 along with a roundabout at CSAH 68 (Attachment: Location Map). Construction is anticipated in 2029-2030.
An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was prepared for the full project footprint and includes evaluation of all roadway alternatives and trail alternatives considered during the development of the project. Although the EAW evaluates both trail and no-trail options, the County Board, at its June 16, 2026 Physical Development Committee of the Whole, determined that the Road-Only option as the preferred alternative. The EAW remains valid with this direction because the Road-Only option results in fewer overall environmental impacts and the EAW already evaluates the full range of alternatives with equal or greater impacts.
The EAW documents extensive analysis of wetland impacts, public waters, floodplain effects, cultural resources, ecological resources, greenhouse-gas considerations, stormwater management, climate resilience, contaminated sites, traffic operations, and cumulative potential effects. The EAW identifies approximately 2.3 acres of wetland and wet-ditch impacts, which will require mitigation. Several state and federally listed species occur near the corridor; avoidance, timing restrictions, and construction best practices will be implemented to minimize impacts. The project also includes stormwater system improvements and expanded conveyance to address projected increases in rainfall intensity under future climate scenarios.
The EAW was distributed, and no commenting agency requested preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. Based on the findings of the EAW, public comments, and the criteria under Minnesota Rules 4410.1700, staff determined that the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects and that a Negative Declaration is appropriate. This action supports advancement of the project into final design and permitting.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends adoption of Findings of Fact and Conclusions and authorization to distribute a Negative Declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement for County Project 54-11.
end
FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
None. Environmental review costs for CP 54-11 are included in the Transportation Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The Transportation CIP has a total approved budget of $2,379,708 for Project 2000038 - Hastings City Limit to CSAH 68.
Project 2000038 - Hastings City Limit to CSAH 68
|
Funding Source |
Total Approved Budget |
Total Available Budget |
|
County Funding |
$294,932 |
$14,538 |
|
Sales & Use Tax |
$1,484,776 |
$1,425,000 |
|
Federal Funding |
$600,000 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$2,379,708 |
$1,439,538 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
26-280; 06/23/2026
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Location Map
Attachment: Findings of Fact and Conclusions (FOFC)
Attachment: Final Environmental Assessment Worksheet
CONTACT
Department Director: Erin Laberee
Author: John Sass