MN HF3164

Creates new Minnesota Statutes Chapter 93.70-93.711 to improve coordination, effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of environmental review and permitting for metallic mineral mining projects.

Requires Commissioner of Natural Resources to create an online dashboard within 15 days of project submission to track environmental review and permitting documents, with project summaries added within 30 days.

Mandates establishment of coordinated project plans within 60 days requiring participating agencies to meet deadlines of 18 months for environmental assessment worksheet decisions and 3 years for final environmental impact statement decisions.

Requires synchronization of state environmental review processes with federal, local, and Tribal agency reviews to ensure timely and efficient completion of environmental reviews and authorizations.

Directs Commissioner to issue recommended best practices by July 1, 2023 and every two years thereafter to enhance stakeholder engagement, ensure timely decisions, improve coordination, increase transparency, and reduce administrative burdens on agencies and project proposers.