County authorizes draft environmental impact statement for Holcomb Haven sand‑and‑gravel mine

Sherburne County commissioners voted to authorize preparation and distribution of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Holcomb Haven Township sand‑and‑gravel mine, moving the county into the formal environmental review process.

Mark, the county presenter on land use matters, told the board the vote authorizes staff to prepare and distribute the draft EIS for the Wholesome MWR Inc. Haven Township sand and gravel mine. The county previously approved a final scoping decision with changes at a Feb. 4 meeting; this action authorizes the next step in the EIS process.

Why it matters: Mark and commissioners emphasized that authorizing the draft EIS is not an approval of the mine itself but the start of a process that requires a decision within a 280‑day window once the county issues the public notice. "We're just authorizing a study. And it's not an appropriate time really to just say, even really discuss whether or not we're gonna pass it or not in the long run," Mark said.

The board clarified process details: if approved, the responsible governmental unit (RGU) will issue a press release to start the 280‑day EIS timeline; the draft EIS and public comments will follow. Commissioner comments and staff said the county had worked to make the scoping document comprehensive to answer as many questions as possible during the EIS.

The motion to authorize preparation and distribution of the draft EIS (resolution number cited in the meeting as 20021825‑AD3195) was moved and seconded; the board voted to approve the resolution by voice vote.

Next steps: county staff will prepare and publish the draft EIS and begin the established EIS review schedule; the record will include public comment opportunities and further staff and board deliberations before any permitting or approval decision.