Environmental review and compliance is an integral component of all Metropolitan Council transit projects. This page provides information about environmental regulations affecting the METRO Blue Line Extension Project and links to environmental studies and reports.
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) require that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be prepared for certain actions that affect the environment. The EIS provides a means to analyze environmental, social and economic factors and consider environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation strategies in the planning and decision-making process.
Scoping Summary
Scoping documents were produced during the first step in the NEPA/EIS process. Scoping is designed to engage the public, interest groups, affected tribes and government agencies (including opportunities for public involvement) and to present the purpose and need for the project, the proposed alternatives to address the needs identified, and potential benefits and impacts for public and agency review early in the NEPA/EIS process. The scoping process for the METRO Blue Line Extension was managed by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA). Read the Scoping Summary
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) is the initial statement prepared by the project sponsor and circulated for review and comment before a Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) is prepared.
The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) was the project sponsor and Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) through the completion of the DEIS. HCRRA published the Draft EIS and received comments on the DEIS from April 11, 2014 through May 29, 2014. Upon transfer of RGU authority from HCRRA to the Metropolitan Council, HCRRA transferred the comments received on the Draft EIS to the Metropolitan Council for analysis during Project Development. Read the Draft EIS
Final Environmental Impact Statement
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Metropolitan Council published the project's Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) on July 15, 2016. The Final EIS identifies impacts from the Blue Line Extension Project, including measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate these impacts. The Final EIS also includes the Project’s Section 404 permit application, Amended Draft Section 4(f) and 6(f) Evaluation, Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement, and responses to comments received on the Draft EIS. Read the Final EIS
Historic Properties
The Metropolitan Council tracks the implementation of mitigation measures to ensure compliance with the project's Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). More information about Section 106 MOA implementation
Noise and Vibration
Potential noise and vibration impacts are being evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement process, including measures to mitigate noise and vibration impacts where necessary. Noise and vibration information
Technical Reports
Technical reports referenced in EIS documents are available on the Environmental Technical Reports page.
Other Environmental Documents
Environmental documents prepared before the Scoping phase, including the Alternatives Analysis Study and information on geotechnical testing, are available on Hennepin County's Bottineau LRT Community Works website.