Lake Superior Coastal Program Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program Final Environmental Impact Statement

May 1999

Prepared by:

• U.S. Department of Commerce
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• National Ocean Service
• Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Waters
• Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program

Download here Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program Final Environmental Impact Statement. This document is available in alternative formats. For more information, contact: Pat Collins, Program Manager, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 1568 Hwy 2 Two Harbors, MN 55616 (218) 834-1443 E-mail: pat.collins@dnr.state.mn.us

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the various sections of this document. Get Acrobat Reader free from the Adobe Web site.

• Part I - Program Overview
• Part II - Coastal Zone Management Act
• Part III - Minnesota's Lake Superior Coast
• Part IV - Requirements of NEPA
• Part V - MN Lake Superior Coastal Program
• Part VI - Nonpoint Pollution Control Program
• Part VII - Appendices
• List of Figures & Tables

Note: Page numbers refer to those of original printed document.

---

Table of Contents

Part I. Program Overview

A. Overview I-1

1. Benefits of a Federally Approved Coastal Management Program I-2
2. Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program I-2

B. Major Components of Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program I-3

1. Public Participation I-3
2. The State's Lead Agency I-3
3. A Coastal Council Will be Established I-3
4. Coastal Boundary I-4
5. Networked Program I-4
6. Based on Existing Policies and Authorities I-5
7. State Agencies Must be Consistent With the Coastal Program I-5
8. Actions of Federal Agencies Must be Consistent With the Coastal Program I-5

C. Summary I-6

Back to top

---

Part II. Coastal Zone Management Act II-1

A. The Coastal Zone Management Act II-1
B. Cross Reference to Program Requirements II-4

Back to top

---

Part III. Minnesota's Lake Superior Coast

Gubernatorial Letter (41KB)

A. Setting III-1

1. Physical Environment III-1
   1. Area Geography III-1
   2. Climate III-4
   3. Geology III-4
   4. Soils III-5
   5. Physical Shoreline III-6
   6. Forestry III-8
   7. Wetlands III-9
   8. Water Quality III-10
   9. Fish and Wildlife Habitat III-12
   10. Aquatic Nuisance Species III-13
   11. Land Use III-13
   12. Minerals III-14
   13. Submerged Lands III-14
2. 2. Socioeconomic Characteristics III-15
   1. Demographics III-15
   2. Population III-15
   3. Commerce and Industry III-16
   4. Recreation and Tourism III-18

B. Coastal Resource and Development Issues III-24

Back to top

---

Part IV. Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) IV-1

A. NEPA Requirements IV-1
B. Purpose and Need for Action IV-2
C. Alternatives Including the Proposed Action IV-4

1. Introduction IV-4
2. Federal Alternatives IV-4
   1. Alternative 1 IV-4
   2. Alternative 2 IV-4
   3. Alternative 3 IV-5
3. State Alternatives Considered During Program Development IV-5
4. Consultation and Coordination IV-6

D. Environmental and Socio-Economic Consequences IV-7

1. Positive Impacts Directly Resulting From Federal Approval IV-7
2. Impacts (of Approval) Attributable to Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program IV-9
3. Impacts Resulting From Denying Federal Approval IV-11
4. Impacts Resulting From Delaying Federal Approval IV-11

E. Unavoidable Adverse Environmental Effects IV-12
F. Relationship Between Short-Term Uses of the Environment and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Productivity IV-13
G. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources IV-14

Back to top

---

Part V. Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program

Chapter 1. Program Boundary V, 1-1

A. Introduction V, 1-1
B. Boundary Establishment V, 1-2

1. Seaward Boundary and Interstate Boundary V, 1-2
2. Excluded Lands V, 1-2
3. Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Program Boundary V, 1-3
4. Inland Boundary V, 1-3
   1. St. Louis River Watershed V, 1-5
   2. Duluth and Surrounding Urban Areas V, 1-5
   3. St. Louis County - North Shore V, 1-6
   4. Lake County - North Shore V, 1-6
   5. Cook County - North Shore V, 1-6

Chapter 2. Program Implementation V, 2-1

A. Organizational Structure V, 2-1

1. Role of the Lead State Agency V, 2-1
2. Role and Responsibilities of the Coastal Council V, 2-3
   1. Relationship Between the Coastal Council and Coastal Program Staff V, 2-5
   2. Relationship Between the Coastal Council and the Technical Advisors V, 2-5
3. Local Units of Government V, 2-7
4. Roles of State Agencies V, 2-8
5. Cooperation with Other Programs V, 2-12

B. Program Implementation V, 2-14

1. Implementation of Policies and Authorities From Networked Program V, 2-14
   1. Implementation Mechanisms V, 2-14
   2. Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanisms V, 2-14
2. Consistency V, 2-14
   1. Mechanisms to Ensure State Consistency V, 2-15
   2. Federal Consistency V, 2-16
3. Implementation of Grant Program V, 2-16

C. Review and Evaluation of Program V, 2-17

1. Program Priorities V, 2-17
2. Review of Performance V, 2-17

D. Termination Recommendation Process V, 2-18

Chapter 3. Management Policies and Authorities V, 3-1

A. Coastal Land Management V, 3-3

1. Shoreland Development V, 3-4
   1. Shoreland Management Act V, 3-4
   2. North Shore Management Plan (NSMP) V, 3-9
2. Floodplain Management V, 3-17
3. Coastal Shoreline Erosion V, 3-20
4. County, Municipal and Township Planning and Development V, 3-23

B. Coastal Water Management Standards V, 3-29

1. Public Waters Work Permit Program V, 3-31
   1. Work in the Bed Permits V, 3-32
   2. Water Appropriation Permits V, 3-36
   3. Dam Safety V, 3-38
2. Wetlands Programs V, 3-40

C. Air and Water Quality V, 3-56

1. 1. Air and Water Quality V, 3-56
      1. Air Quality V, 3-56
      2. Water Quality V, 3-61
      3. Ground Water Protection V, 3-66
      4. Water Supply V, 3-69
      5. Waste Management V, 3-71
   2. Solid Waste V, 3-71
   3. Hazardous Waste Management V, 3-71
   4. Industrial Waste V, 3-72

D. Fish and Wildlife Management V, 3-88
E. Forest Management V, 3-97
F. Mineral Resources V, 3-110
G. Energy V, 3-115

1. Energy Facility Siting V, 3-115
   1. Minnesota Power Plant Siting Act V, 3-115
   2. Pipelines V, 3-116
2. Utility Crossings of Public Lands and Waters V, 3-118

H. Environmental Review V, 3-121

1. Minnesota Environmental Rights Act V, 3-121
2. Minnesota Environmental Policy Act V, 3-122
3. Environmental Review Program V, 3-123

Chapter 4. Special Programs and Management Areas V, 4-1

A. Development/Economic Revitalization Plans V, 4-3

1. Highway Transportation V, 4-3
   1. The North Shore Corridor Management Plan V, 4-4
   2. MN DOT Rest Area Program V, 4-4
2. Port Development Plans V, 4-6
3. The Duluth Downtown Waterfront Plan V, 4-10
4. Endion Waterfront Plan and Development Strategy V, 4-10
5. The West Duluth Plan V, 4-10
6. Two Harbors Waterfront Development Plan, 1991 V, 4-11
7. Grand Marais Comprehensive Plan V, 4-11

B. Natural Resource Protection and Management V, 4-12

1. Scientific and Natural Area Programs V, 4-12
2. State Wildlife Management Areas V, 4-13
3. Sensitivity of Coastal Environments and Wildlife to Spilled Oil, Lake Superior,
4. Volume 1 V, 4-14
5. Important Habitat Data in the Minnesota Portion of the Lake Superior, 1995 V, 4-14
6. County Biological Survey V, 4-15
7. Minnesota Natural Area Register V, 4-16
8. St. Louis River Management Plan V, 4-17
9. St. Louis River System Remedial Action Plan V, 4-17
10. The Natural Conservancy V, 4-19
    1. Efforts in the Lake Superior Highlands V, 4-19
    2. Susie Island Francis Lee Jaques Memorial Preserve V, 4-20
11. The Trust for Public Land - Midwest Region V, 4-20
12. Minnesota Land Trust V, 4-20
    1. Completed Projects V, 4-20
    2. In Process (All Conservation Easements) V, 4-21

C. Recreation and Water Access V, 4-22

1. Shorefront Access and Protection Planning V, 4-22
2. Harbors/Marinas and Water Access V, 4-24
3. State Parks V, 4-28
4. Trail Systems V, 4-29

D. Cultural Resource Protection and Management V, 4-34

1. Historical Works V, 4-34
2. 2. Organizations and Programs for Resources of State and/or National Significance V, 4-34
   1. Minnesota Historical Society V, 4-34
   2. Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office V, 4-35
   3. Submerged Cultural Resource Management Program V, 4-35
   4. Office of the State Archaeologist V, 4-36
   5. County and Local Historical Societies V, 4-36

Chapter 5. Land and Water Uses of Regional Benefit V, 5-1

Chapter 6. Federal Coordination and National Interest V, 6-1

A. Federal-State Consultation V, 6-1

1. During Program Development V, 6-1
2. During Program Implementation V, 6-2

B. Consideration of the National Interest V, 6-3

1. Identification of Facilities and Resources of National Interest V, 6-4
2. Management for Facilities and Resources in the National Interest V, 6-4

C. Federal Consistency Procedures V, 6-7

1. Definition V, 6-7
2. Process V, 6-7
   1. Consistency for Federal Activities and Development Projects V, 6-7
   2. Consistency for Activities Requiring a Federal License or Permit V, 6-12
   3. Consistency for Federal Assistance to State and Local Governments V, 6-15
3. Mediation V, 6-16
4. Minnesota's Environmental Review Program and Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program V, 6-18

Back to top

---

Part VI. Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program VI-1

A. Summary of Development and Status of State NPS Programs VI-1

1. Background VI-1
2. What is Nonpoint Source Pollution VI-1
3. Recent Efforts in Minnesota VI-2

B. Minnesota's Approach to Nonpoint Source Pollution VI-3
C. Development of a Coastal Nonpoint Program VI-6

1. State of Minnesota Nonpoint Source Pollution: Existing Control and Programs, Lake Superior Watershed Report - May 1995 VI-6
2. General Comments from NOAA and EPA VI-7
3. Next Steps VI-7

Letter to Mr. Jeffrey R. Benoit, Director of Ocean & Coastal Resource Management (241KB)

Back to top

---

Part VII. Appendices

A. List of Acronyms VII, A-1 and Glossary VII, A-6

B. List of Preparers VII, B-1

C. List of Agencies, Organizations and Individuals Receiving Copies of the FEIS VII, C-1

D. Comments on DEIS and Response to Comments VII, D-1

E. Federal Agencies Consulted During Program Development VII, E-1

-National Interest Statements Related to Federal Consistency VII, E-3

-Model Federal Consistency Determination for Federal Agencies VII, E-6

-Coastal Management Consistency Form VII, E-7

F. Executive Order VII, F-1 (139KB)

G. Agreements Between Federal and State Agencies VII, G-1 Introduction (78KB)

• Department of Army (129KB)
• Grand Portage Reservation (502KB)
• Amendment 1 to Master MOU (322KB)
  (Between Commissioner of MN DNR and Forest Supervisors USFS, USDA)
• Master MOUs (431KB)
  (Between MN DNR & Superior National Forest & Between MNDNR & USFS)
• State of Minnesota Interagency (205KB)
• St. Paul Corps of Engineers (143KB)
• Soil & Water Conservation Distrct (179KB)
• Protected Waters (430KB)
  (Between MN DNR National Forests)

H. Authorities VII, H-1

Back to top

---

List of Figures

Figure 1. Great Lakes Map, Adjacent States and Provinces (38KB)

Figure 2. Minnesota's Arrowhead Region III-2 (186KB)

Figure 3. Subwatersheds of Minnesota's Lake Superior Basin III-3 (152KB)

Figure 4. Recreation and Historical Sites Within the Coastal Area III-22 (367KB)

Figure 5. Lake Superior Watershed Coastal Program Boundary V, 1-7 (212KB)

Figure 6. St. Louis and Carlton Counties Coastal Program Boundary V, 1-8 (603KB)

Figure 7. Lake County map of Coastal Boundary V, 1-9 (247KB)

Figure 8. Cook County map of Coastal Boundary V, 1-10 (318KB)

Figure 9. Program Implementation Flowchart V. 2-6 (60KB)

Figure 10. North Shore Management Plan Boundary V, 3-11 (TIF 42KB)

Figure 11. Port Plan Implementation Mechanism V, 4-9 (25KB)

Figure 12. Map of the St. Louis River Area of Concern V, 4-18 (TIF 34KB)

Back to top

---

List of Tables

Table 1. Wetland Coverage in the Lake Superior Major Watersheds III-10

Table 2. Critical Pollutants in Lake Superior III-11

Table 3. Change in Population in the Lake Superior Basin Counties, 1990-1996 III-15

Table 4. Job Growth in Lake Superior Basin Counties, 1988-1993 III-16

Table 5. Agricultural Land Areas in Lake Superior Basin Counties, 1992 III-17

Table 6. Summary of Agricultural Data From the Lake Superior Basin, 1992 III-17

Table 7. Goals for the North Shore - 1994 Survey Results III-23

Table 8. NEPA Requirements IV-1

Table 9. Excluded Federal Lands V, 1-3

Table 10. Enforceable Polices - Coastal Land Management Standards V, 3-26

Table 11. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Coastal Land Management V, 3-27

Table 12. Enforceable Polices - Coastal Water Management V, 3-48

Table 13. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Coastal Water Management V, 3-50

Table 14. Enforceable Policies - Air and Water Quality V, 3-76

Table 15. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Air and Water Quality V, 3-84

Table 16. Enforceable Policies - Fish and Wildlife Management V, 3-91

Table 17. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Fish and Wildlife Management V, 3-93

Table 18. Enforceable Policies - Forest Management V, 3-105

Table 19. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Forest Management V, 3-106

Table 20. Enforceable Policies - Mineral Resource Standards V, 3-113

Table 21. Enforceable Policies - Energy Standards V, 3-120

Table 22. Enforceable Policies - Environmental Review V, 3-125

Table 23. Other Non-regulatory Programs - Environmental Review V, 3-126

Table 24. Boat Access on Lake Superior in Minnesota V, 4-27

Table 25. Shorefront Access Program V, 4-32

Table 26. Nuclear Fuels and Nuclear Waste V, 6-19

Table 27. Electric Generating Facilities V, 6-19

Table 28. Petroleum Refineries V, 6-20

Table 29. Fuel Conversion Facilities V, 6-20

Table 30. Transmission Lines V, 6-20

Table 31. Pipelines V, 6-21

Table 32. Transfer Facilities V, 6-22

Table 33. Underground Storage V, 6-22

Table 34. Storage Facilities V, 6-23

Table 35. Metallic Mineral Mining and Processing V, 6-23

Table 36. Nonmetallic Mineral Mining V, 6-24

Table 37. Paper or Pulp Processing Mills V, 6-24

Table 38. Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Facilities V, 6-25

Table 39. Air Pollution V, 6-26

Table 40. Hazardous Waste V, 6-26

Table 41. Solid Waste V, 6-27

Table 42. Wastewater Systems V, 6-28

Table 43. Residential Development V, 6-29

Table 44. Campgrounds and RV Parks V, 6-30

Table 45. Airport Projects V, 6-30

Table 46. Highway Projects V, 6-31

Table 47. Barge Fleeting V, 6-31

Table 48. Water Appropriation and Impoundments V, 6-32

Table 49. Marinas V, 6-32

Table 50. Streams and Ditches V, 6-32

Table 51. Wetlands and Public Waters V, 6-33

Table 52. Forestry V, 6-33

Table 53. Animal Feedlots V, 6-34

Table 54. Natural Areas V, 6-34

Table 55. Historical Places V, 6-34

Table 56. Mixed Residential and Industrial-Commercial Projects V, 6-35

Table 57. Communication Towers V, 6-35

Table 58. Sports and Entertainment Facilities V, 6-35

Table 59. Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms V, 6-36

Table 60. Land Use Conversion, Including Golf Courses V, 6-36

Table 61. Summary of Federal Consistency Provisions V, 6-46

Table 62. Existing Tools for Addressing Nonpoint Source Pollution VI-4

Table 63. Existing Programs VI-5