Mower County Coordinator Craig Oscarson said Tuesday he received an unsigned letter announcing a petition is being circulated in Austin requesting the county board be required to submit an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on the Robbins block.

Oscarson did not speculate who made the request, which has to go to the Environmental Quality Board for approval.

The EAW would merely be an advisory document, but it could include a request that the county conduct an Environmental Impact Statement, according to Oscarson’s explanation to the commissioners.

That, in turn, would take time and cost an estimated $25,000.

Mower County has agreed to build a new 128-bed jail and justice center on two blocks of privately-owned property in downtown Austin if the city will acquire the property and prepare it for construction.

The anticipated date for construction to begin was Dec. 31. No work has begun yet; nor has the city announced acquisition of the necessary property.