Current Activity
A final environmental impact statement (FEIS) will be completed in the fall of 2009. The FEIS will document the environmental effects of the Department of Interior’s (DOI) selected, preferred alternative in addition to addressing public comments received on the draft EIS of July 2006 determined to be substantive under NPS/DOI environmental review policy.

Public comments from the February 23, 2009 open house has been used to prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) which will define how the site’s cultural resources will be preserved or mitigated during the removal of the buildings and related infrastructure. The MOA is required under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Bureau of Mines (Coldwater) property is within the Fort Snelling National Historic Landmark and Fort Snelling National Register Historic District. The MOA will be included in the FEIS.

When completed and approved by DOI for distribution, the FEIS will be made available for a 30 day public review. After the review period, the DOI will consider the public comment on the FEIS and issue a record of decision (ROD).

The ROD is the official, written public record of the DOI’s final decision on how the Bureau of Mines property will be treated and managed. The ROD will provide an explanation of how this decision was made, the primary factors used to reach this decision, and any mitigation, monitoring or enforcement measures necessary.

Past Activity
DOI Guidance and Selection of Preferred Alternative
EIS Alternatives and Land Use Scenarios
February 23 Open House

Documents
Draft EIS July 2006
Related Draft EIS Studies and Documents
Analysis of Comments Received on Draft EIS (PDF, 1.3 mb)
Authorizing Legislation for Disposition of Bureau of Mines

Map
Bureau of Mines Historic District Boundaries