The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus is set in a densely populated urban area, which means that construction may include demolition and redevelopment of older, existing structures, or expansion of University property that may have been formerly used as an industrial site and may have environmental contamination concerns.

Prior to development, DEHS or a qualified environmental consultant will complete an environmental assessment for the site. The assessment involves a review of historical documents for past land usage and activities, permits and registrations, and other artifacts, which are used to identify potential or existing environmental contamination. The results of the assessment are used by the design team for developing soil management, stormwater management, vapor mitigation, and/or groundwater dewatering strategies.

The University Hazardous Materials Program is responsible for assessment and mitigation of asbestos, lead, mercury-contaminated material, and PCB—containing caulk.

As a designer, project manager, or contractor working on University property or on a University project, there may be specific design elements that will trigger the need for a review, permit, permit modification or permit amendment. Please review the Project Environmental Checklist to determine what project elements should be reviewed by DEHS or its University Services partners.

Resources
Project Environmental Checklist

Air Emission Forms
Internal Combustion Engines (Generators)
Boilers and Furnaces