Project summary
The Wild Rice Watershed District proposes to install a series of rock arch rapids within a 13-mile stretch of the South Branch Wild Rice River in Clay County, Minnesota. The proposed project is an effort to restore the river’s connection with its floodplain, thereby reducing flood damage, erosion, and sediment transport, as well as restore the floodplain habitats and provide continued fish passage. An environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) is required for the project.
EAW documents
The Minnesota DNR has prepared an EAW for the proposed project. Public notice of the availability of these documents for public comment is in the April 8, 2025, EQB Monitor. A 30-day public review and comment period will be open from April 8, 2025, until 4:30 p.m., May 8, 2025.
- EAW with attachments - South Branch Wild Rice River Rock Arch Rapids Restoration Project
A paper copy of the EAW is available for public review at:
- Fergus Falls Public Library, 205 East Hampden Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
- DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155
- Hennepin County – Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1992
- By calling 651-259-5655.
Deadline for comments
All written comments on the EAW must be received by Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting comments via email will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names and email or postal addresses will be published and publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.
Comments can be submitted as follows:
Electronically:
Electronic or email comments may be sent to [email protected] with "South Branch Wild Rice River” in the subject line.
By mail:
Caroline Oswald, EAW Project Manager
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road, Box 25
St. Paul, MN 55155-4025