HF 1157

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 02/23/2015 02:27pm

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; requiring an environmental impact statement prior to
construction for certain rail projects connecting track.

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

Section 1. new text begin ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT; CERTAIN TRACK
CONNECTION PROJECTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definition. new text end

new text begin For purposes of this section, "track connection project"
means a rail construction project that:
new text end

new text begin (1) is in a county within which there is located a city of the first class, as provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 410.01;
new text end

new text begin (2) is located at or near the site of two intersecting tracks of rail; and
new text end

new text begin (3) establishes switches, turnouts, or other forms of connecting track between
the two intersecting tracks, in which (i) the tracks are owned by two different railroad
companies, and (ii) the project provides for alternative routing of unit trains, as defined
in Minnesota Statutes, section 115E.01, subdivision 11d, transported as of the effective
date of this section on either of the intersecting tracks through a city of the first class
identified in clause (1).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Environmental impact statement. new text end

new text begin An environmental impact statement
must be conducted under Minnesota Statutes, section 116D.04, and applicable
Environmental Quality Board rules governing track connection projects, to make a
determination concerning the existence of a local safety or security hazard under
applicable federal law. The Department of Transportation shall serve as the responsible
governmental unit for the environmental impact statement. A track connection project
may not begin construction and no final governmental decision may be made to grant a
permit, approve the project, or begin the project until the commissioner of transportation
has determined the environmental impact statement is adequate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires December 31, 2018.
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