Based off of Craig Cox's post 'Lagoon High-rise Will not Require Environmental Study' and the Minneapolis Observer's story about how a petition of 25 signatures can prompt an EAW-requirement review, I have the following question: Why does the petition process require a flat 25 people signing it? I looked at the EQB website and found that they believe the concern for environmental impact does not need to be widespread (http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/pdf/envreview.PDF). 25 people may be a lot of signatures in areas with few people, or of projects in areas where people do not care about, but it is not many people when in a dense area. The EQB further stated, in bold, that the petition process "is not a means for resolving a disagreement with local government over whether a project should be built." It was my feeling that the petition process for the Lagoon project was a tool to delay the project because people disagree with the project itself, and not necessarily for environmental reasons. The EQB does see aesthetic significance as an environmental impact, so I am not trying to downplay their concern. While it is critical to protect our environment, it is also important that we protect our environmental protection processes as well. Does it make sense that in dense areas it would only take 25 people to trigger a review for an EAW, or would it make sense to have it be based upon a relationship to a density within a given area? I've heard the saying: "for every project there are about 10 percent opposed, and 10 percent in support, and 80 percent who don't care or do not know". The only reason it matters is that if the petition process is used to delay projects, especially in cases that are iffy in the need for an EAW, we only make it more difficult to conduct business in the city. To be extreme, if I didn't like someone, I could get 25 people pretty easily to sign a petition looking into the environmental impacts of expanding their garage.talk about impacts. Thatcher Imboden, wanting to know more on EAW rules and the potential pros/cons CARAG REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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