The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved an Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating a range of alternatives for the development of public use facilities on the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge near Carver, Minnesota.

The Service’s Midwest Regional Director signed a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) on September 30, 2005, selecting the proposed alternative in the EA. Under the proposed alternative, a new visitor and environmental education center and outdoor environmental education and interpretive facilities will be constructed in addition to a bunkhouse for refuge interns. Services and infrastructure such as roads, parking areas, septic, water, and utilities, if not already present, will be installed and/or upgraded. The proposed projects have been reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Construction is expected to commence in the near future.

The Service released a draft EA for a 30-day public review on June 16, 2005, soliciting comments about environmental impacts, historic preservation, and compatible uses related to these proposed projects. Four alternatives were identified and evaluated. Thirteen comments on the draft EA were received from the public.

Copies of the final Environmental Assessment, FONSI, and associated documents are available at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center located at 3815 American Boulevard East, Bloomington, MN 55425 or can be requested by telephone at 952-854-5900.