Environmental Assessment Worksheet

What is an EAW?

An Enviromental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is a document designed to provide a brief analysis and overview of the potential environmental impacts for a specific project and to help the RGU determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary. The EAW consists of a standard list of 31 questions and is meant to set out the basic facts of the project’s environmental impacts. The EAW is not meant to approve or disapprove a project, but is simply a source of information to guide other approvals and permitting decisions. The information in the EAW process has two functions: to determine whether an EIS is needed, and to indicate how the project can be modified to lessen its environmental impacts; such modifications may be imposed as permit conditions by regulatory agencies.

Notice of public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for
the proposed Western Middle School

The City of Duluth seeks public input on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) which has been
prepared for the Duluth Public Schools' Proposed Western Middle School. The approximately 75 acre site is
located west of the existing Lincoln Park neighborhood between Wheeler Field and Skyline Parkway.

The EAW is not meant to approve or disapprove a project, but is simply a source of information to guide other
approvals and permitting decisions. The information in the EAW process has two functions: to determine
whether an Environmental Impact Statement is needed, and to indicate how the project can be modified to
lessen its environmental impacts; such modifications may be imposed as permit conditions by regulatory agencies.

The EAW states, "the project will include construction of a new middle school to accommodate 1,000 students
in the western half of the Duluth Public School District boundary area. The project will [also] include outdoor
site components typical of schools, including but not limited to vehicle, bus, and fire lane access, loading docks,
parking areas, sidewalks, athletic fields, and playground areas."

Written comments will be accepted during the 30-day public comment period, which begins Monday, January 25,
2010, and closes at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

The City of Duluth Planning Commission, as the Responsible Government Unit (RGU), will also accept public
comments on the Western Middle School EAW at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, during its regularly
scheduled meeting, held in the Council Chambers, Third Floor of Duluth City Hall, 411 West First Street.

The EAW is available for review at the Duluth Public Libraries located at: 520 West Superior Street; 105
Mount Royal Shopping Circle; and 5830 Grand Avenue, Duluth.

EAW without Appendices [File size 512 KB]

Full EAW [File Size 13.2 MB]

Written comments should be directed to:
Kyle Deming, Planner II
City of Duluth
Planning Division
411 West First Street, Room 402
Duluth, Minnesota 55802-1197
Telephone: 218-730-5329
Fax: 218-730-5904
Email: kdeming@duluthmn.gov

Environmental Assessment Worksheet

Notice of public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for the proposed Western Middle School

Notice of public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for
the proposed Western Middle School