Project summary
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Division of Parks and Trails proposes the Lake Bronson Dam Rehabilitation project. The project includes removal and replacement of the concrete spillway and the associated bridge. The project is located within Lake Bronson State Park, in Kittson County, Minnesota. The project includes removal and replacement of the concrete spillway and the associated bridge. The project is located within areas of valuable natural and cultural resources, including a Works Progress Administration historic district.
Record of Decision on Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
The DNR, as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) for environmental review of the Lake Bronson Dam Rehabilitation project, has , has issued a Record of Decision regarding the Need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.
The DNR has concluded that an EIS is not required because the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects. The justification for this determination is contained in the Record of Decision. The Record of Decision also contains the Department's responses to all substantive written comments received on the EAW during the 30-day public review and comment period. Public notice of the availability of EAW documents for public comment was in the September 19, 2023, EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period was open from September 19, 2023 through October 19, 2023.
Issuing this Record of Decision concludes the state environmental review process for this project according to the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board rules, Minnesota Rules, part 4410.1000 to 4410.1700.
Record of Decision documents:
Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Lake Bronson Dam Rehabilitation Project (EMC-2024-GR-05006)
Interested persons are hereby notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)/Department of Homeland Security is proposing to assist in the funding of a project located in Lake Bronson State Park, Kittson County, Minnesota. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the implementing regulations of FEMA, an EA is being prepared to assess the potential impacts of each of the proposed alternatives on the human and natural environment. This also provides public notice to invite public comments on the proposed project in accordance with Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands. In addition, the draft EA provides information to the public on potential impacts on listed species and historic and cultural resources from the proposed undertaking, as outlined in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, respectively.
This EA is available for agency and public review and comment for a period of 30 days. The draft EA is available on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/surfacewater_section/damsafety/index.html and on FEMA’s website at https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/nepa/environmental-assessment-lake-bronson. Interested parties may review an electronic copy of the draft EA from either of those websites and may request a mailed or emailed copy by email to [email protected].
A hard copy of this draft EA is available for review at: Lake Bronson State Park, Park Office, 3793 230th Street, Lake Bronson, Minnesota 56734.
Written comments regarding this environmental action should be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 17, 2025, by mail to Duane Castaldi, Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region 5, 536 South Clark Street, 6th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60605-1521; by email at [email protected]; or by phone at 312-408-5549. If no substantive comments are received by the above deadline, the draft EA, and associated Finding of No Significant Impact, will become final and be published by FEMA. Substantive comments will be addressed as appropriate in the final documents.
The public may request a copy of the final environmental documents from Duane Castaldi at the address listed above.