Businesses that contract to provide goods or services to the state or other public agencies within the state generally have performance bonds. These bonding requirements are established by statute. Note that some public and private contracts can require the “fidelity bonding” of individual employees of the principal to protect against loss caused by employee dishonesty. Bonds are obtained through insurance agents or through a bonding company. The cost of a bond is a portion of the face amount of the bond and will depend in part on the risk to the bonding company in covering the potential loss. See the information regarding the Minnesota Federal Bonding Service in the Sources of Information, State Programs section of this Guide.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS
Minnesota law provides each person the right and responsibility to protect, preserve, and enhance the state’s natural resources—including air, water, and land. To fulfill this mandate, environmental regulation in Minnesota is handled by a range of state agencies, most notably: • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) : Principal regulator of air, water, hazardous/ solid waste, and pollution control permits. • Environmental Quality Board (EQB) : Oversees environmental review, coordinates multi- agency policy, and drives statewide planning. • Department of Natural Resources (DNR) , Department of Health (MDH) , Department of Agriculture (MDA) , and others: Regulate specific resources and health impacts. • See the Directory of Licenses and Permits for activity-based agency contacts. Environmental Review and Permitting Certain development projects—including new construction, expansions, and major public works—may trigger detailed environmental reviews. The goal is to identify and mitigate environmental impacts before permits are issued or work begins. • Responsible Governmental Unit : Legally defined authority (e.g., MPCA, EQB, city, county) manages the review process. • Types of Review: • Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) : Preliminary questionnaire evaluates potential for significant environmental effects. • Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) : Full-scale review and analysis, required for larger or more complex projects. • Mandatory review thresholds and procedures are set by rule and administered by the EQB. • No permits or approvals may be issued until the review process is complete.
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