The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comments during a 30-day public review period from Monday to Jan. 22 on an environmental assessment worksheet prepared for Blazing Star State Trail, Myre-Big Island State Park to Hayward project, east of Albert Lea in Freeborn County.

The DNR proposes to extend the Blazing Star State Trail 2.4 miles from Myre-Big Island State Park to Hayward. The trail will consist of a 10-foot wide bituminous surface for pedestrian, bicycle and other nonmotorized uses, and requires a new bridge crossing Albert Lea Lake. The 100-foot single span pedestrian bridge will be adjacent and parallel to the existing railroad bridge.

A copy of the EAW is available online starting at www.dnr.state.mn.us/input/index.html. (Under “Environmental Review,” select “Blazing Star EAW” from the scroll-down list). Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5157.

A copy of the EAW is available for public review at:

DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155.

DNR South Region, 261 Highway 15 South, New Ulm, MN 56073.

Albert Lea Public Library, 211 E. Clark St., Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Rochester Public Library, Reference Dept., 101 Second St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

Written comments on the EAW must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22 to the attention of Ronald Wieland, EAW project manager, environmental policy and review unit, DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025.

Electronic or email comments may be sent to environmentalrev.dnr@state.mn.us with “Blazing Star EAW” in the subject line. If submitting comments electronically, include name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-296-1811.