8/1/2007

DNR seeks public comment on St. Louis County trout stream restoration

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on a project to improve habitat for brook trout and other cold-water species in the Dark River, 10 miles north of Chisholm in St. Louis County.

The project involves restoring and realigning the stream channel to improve habitat in three sections of the Dark River, totaling about 7,600 feet. As required by law, the DNR has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that details the environmental effects of the restoration.

"This project will restore the channel, improve stream functions and provide better habitat for brook trout," said Dean Paron, environmental planner with the DNR. "Over the years, several areas of the stream has become wider and shallower, without the varied riffles and pools that trout prefer."

The EAW is available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us (Click on "Public Input," then select "Dark River Trout Stream Restoration Project" from the scroll-down list under "Environmental Review.")

Copies of the EAW may be requested by calling (320) 384-7721 or are available for public review at the following locations:

- DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul

- DNR Area Fisheries Office in DNR Regional Headquarters, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand Rapids

- DNR Eveleth Forestry Office; 7979 Highway 37, Eveleth

- DNR Hibbing Lands and Minerals Office; 1525 Third Ave. E., Hibbing

- DNR McCarthy Beach State Park, 7622 McCarthy Beach Road, Side Lake (park hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday);

- Duluth (Regional) Public Library, 520 West Superior St.

- Minneapolis Public Library, Technology and Science, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

- Chisholm Public Library, 300 West Lake St., Chisholm

- Cook Public Library, 103 South River St., Cook

- Eveleth Public Library, 614 Pierce St., Eveleth

- Hibbing Public Library, 2020 East Fifth Ave., Hibbing

- Mountain Iron Public Library, 5742 Mountain Ave., Mountain Iron

- Virginia Public Library, 215 South Fifth Ave., Virginia

- U.S. Forest Service, Superior National Forest, Laurentian Ranger District Office, 318 Forestry Road, Aurora.

Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 29, to Dean Paron, EAW project manager, DNR Hinckley Area Office, P.O. Box 398 Hinckley, MN 55037.

E-mail comments may be sent to environmental.review@dnr.state.mn.us with "Dark River Trout Stream Restoration Project" in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address.

Written comments may also be sent by fax to (320) 384-6160.