Environmental Information

Environmental review and compliance is an integral component of the Southwest LRT project. This page provides information about environmental regulations affecting the project and links to environmental studies and reports prepared for the project.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) for certain actions that affect the environment. The EIS provides a means to analyze environmental, social and economic factors and consider environmental impacts, alternatives and mitigation strategies in the planning and decision-making process. More information about the EIS process

Environmental Impact Statement documents

1. Southwest Transitway Scoping Report (2009)
2. Southwest Transitway Draft Environmental Impact Statement (2012)
3. Southwest LRT Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (2015)
4. Southwest LRT Final Environmental Impact Statement (2016)
5. Southwest LRT Record of Decision (2016)
6. Southwest LRT Supplemental Environmental Assessment/Amended Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation and Amended Record of Decision (2018)

Historic properties

The Metropolitan Council tracks the implementation of mitigation measures to ensure compliance with the project's Section 106 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). More in formation about Section 106 MOA implementation

Noise and vibration

Potential noise and vibration impacts were evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement process, including measures to mitigate noise and vibration impacts where necessary. More information about potential noise and vibration impacts

Studies of freight rail, water resources, and vegetation

In response to local concerns, the Southwest LRT Project initiated new studies of freight rail options, water resources, and landscaping in December 2013. More information about the 2013 studies

Freight rail corridor protection

Information on a proposed corridor protection barrier in Minneapolis.

Other environmental documentation

Environmental studies and other documents prepared by Hennepin County, including the Alternatives Analysis and the Rail Feasibility Study, are available on the Southwest LRT Community Works site.

Notes about document accessibility

Many of the PDFs on our website are structured to be read properly by screenreaders and downloaded as text files. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader for best results. For more information,consult our web accessibility resources. If you are unable to read a PDF document or save a text version successfully, email the Southwest LRT Project Office to request the information in an alternate format.