HF 995

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 02/28/2013 11:28am

A bill for an act
relating to environment; requiring an environmental impact statement under
certain conditions; prohibiting pollution in certain geographic areas; amending
Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116.07, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 116.07, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4l. new text end

new text begin Permits; impacted communities. new text end

new text begin (a) An environmental impact statement
must be prepared prior to the issuance of any permit that is likely to increase the level of
pollution, impairment, or destruction of the air, water, land, or other natural resources in an
impacted community. The environmental impact statement must analyze the cumulative
levels and effects of past and current environmental pollution from all sources and the
incremental impacts that will be added by the project that is the subject of the permit
issuance, and any known future components or stages of that project, on the environment
and residents of the impacted community.
new text end

new text begin (b) No permit shall be issued that is likely to increase the level of pollution,
impairment, or destruction of the air, water, land, or other natural resources located within
an impacted community.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this subdivision, "impacted community" means a geographic
area one square mile or larger:
new text end

new text begin (1) whose average median family income is below 50 percent of the state median
family income; or
new text end

new text begin (2) whose proportion of nonwhite residents is more than twice as large as the state
average.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end