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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 47, Number 44                                                                                       October 31, 2023






Announcements

*EQB seeking climate calculator tool proposals*

We are seeking proposals to build a climate calculator tool that will help quantify greenhouse gas emissions for projects that typically go through environmental review. This calculator will help estimate the emissions associated with the construction, use, and end of life of a project. The tool will be made publicly available and used mainly by project proposers, environmental review practitioners, government decision-makers, and the public. The calculator will provide additional accuracy and consistency while reducing  time, cost, and uncertainty. For more information or to apply, go to the climate calculator webpage [ [link removed] ]. Deadline to submit an application is December 1, 2023.






Autumn in a woods




Environmental review project notices

EQB publishes environmental review notices provided by responsible governmental units. For more information on a project undergoing environmental review, click on the individual project links below. You can also find information about active projects in your community on the Environmental Review Projects Interactive Map [ [link removed] ].

 

Minnesota Paving and Materials Project

*Location: *Comfrey, Cottonwood County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *RGU assignment

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Cottonwood County, Alex Schultz <[email protected]>,
507-832-8287 

 

Pine Bend Landfill Vertical Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Inver Grove Heights; Dakota
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *November 30, 2023

*Project description: *BFI Waste Systems of North America, LLC. owns and operates the Pine Bend Landfill, a mixed municipal solid waste landfill in the City of Inver Grove Heights in Dakota County, Minnesota. BFI Waste Systems of North America, LLC. proposes to develop and permit an 85-foot vertical expansion over the existing Phase 5 and 6 areas of the landfill to increase the permitted design capacity by approximately 8,185,000 cubic yards.

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155

*Public meeting date, time, location: *November 30, 2023, 5:30 p.m., Woodcrest Church, 525 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123
*Public meeting additional details:* The meeting will start at 5:30pm with a 30 minute open-house to allow review of visual aids and printed materials. At 6pm, there will be a short presentation by the MPCA about the EAW and draft air permit, followed by a questions and answer session that will conclude at 7pm.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Megen Kabele <[email protected]>, 651-757-2044

 

Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Management Improvements Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Saint Paul; Ramsey
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Negative (EIS not ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 24, 2023

*Project description: *Metropolitan Council Environmental Services proposes to increase solids processing capacity at the Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant at 2400 Childs Road, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, by adding a fourth fluidized bed incinerator, associated equipment, and facilities.

*Link to public documents: *Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant Solids Management Improvements Project EIS need decision [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Katrina Hapka <[email protected]>, 651-757-2418

 

Otsego Creek [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Otsego; Wright
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Negative (EIS not ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 24, 2023

*Project description: *The City of Otsego (City) is planning to restore 1,600 linear feet of Otsego Creek within a city-owned outlot North of 76th St NE and East of Marlowe Ave NE in the City of Otsego. The proposed project will include re-meandering the main channel, creation of oxbows, and establishment of a no mow buffer around the creek.

*Location of public documents:* City of Otsego, 13400 90th Street, Otsego, MN 55330

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Otsego, Ronald Wagner <[email protected]>,
763-852-0478

 

US Highway 212 – Benton Township Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Benton Township; Carver
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision
*Joint federal and state review: *Yes

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Negative (EIS not ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 24, 2023

*Project description: *Carver County proposes reconstruction and expansion of a two-lane, 5.5-mile segment of Highway (Hwy) 212 from the city of Norwood Young America to the city of Cologne in Carver County, Minnesota. Additional project components include the construction of reduced conflict intersections (RCIs) at multiple locations throughout the corridor, the reconfiguration of the Hwy 212/County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 51 intersection as an overpass, construction of stormwater ponds to accommodate the roadway expansion, and snow fence installation. The project is also being reviewed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A draft Non-Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (Non-PCE) document is available for public review on the project website at co.carver.mn.us/hwy212projectbenton.

*Link to public documents: *US Highway 212 – Benton Township Project EIS need decision [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* MnDOT Metro Headquarters - Water's Edge, 1500 County Rd B2, Roseville, MN 55113

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Transportation, Diane Langenbach <[email protected]>, 651-234-7721

 

Lake Wilson Solar Energy Center Alternative Review [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Leeds Township, Murray
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *December 11, 2023
*Additional information:* Include the docket numbers in all communications. PUC docket numbers: IP-7070/CN-21-791, GS-21-792. Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) docket number: 5-2500-39336

*Notice title: *Environmental Assessment Availability
*Notice description: *The Environmental Assessment for the Lake Wilson Solar Energy Center project is available for review.
*Project description: *Lake Wilson has applied for a certificate of need and a site permit to construct and operate the proposed Lake Wilson Solar Energy Center Project, an up to 150-MW solar energy generating system with associated battery storage to be located in Chanarambie and Leeds townships, Murray County, MN. Approximately 1,526 acres are currently designated to host the proposed project infrastructure. The primary components of the solar system would include photovoltaic panels affixed to a linear ground-mounted single-axis tracking system, solar modules, solar inverters, racking, fencing, access roads, an operation and maintenance building, a substation facility, an electrical collection system, weather stations, an up to 50-MW battery energy storage system, and a short 115-KV overhead transmission line. The solar system would connect to the electrical grid via the existing Northern States Power Fenton to Chanarambie 115-KV transmission line.

*Link to public documents: *Lake Wilson Solar Energy Center Alternative Review [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* Slayton Public Library, 2451 Broadway Ave Slayton,
MN 56172

*First public meeting date, time, location:* November 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Location: Murray County Government Center Courts Building 2848 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, MN 56172 
*First public meeting additional details:* Link to Google Maps: [link removed] [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *November 29, 2023, 6:00 p.m. Telephone (Toll Free): 1-855-282-6330. WebEx (Webinar) Link: minnesota.webex.com. Meeting Number (access code): 2486 582 1291 Meeting Password (if needed): MNPUC

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Commerce, Jenna Ness <[email protected]>, 651-539-1693

 

General notices

Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.

23-217 Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting for Sherco Solar 3 Project

*Notice description: *The primary components of the solar facility would include bifacial photovoltaic panels affixed to a linear ground-mounted single-axis tracking system, solar inverters, an electrical collection system (belowground), access roads, security fencing, stormwater drainage basins, and eight weather stations. As proposed, the project will partially replace the energy production of the Sherco Generating Plant Unit 2, currently a coal-powered facility, which will cease operations later in 2023. Based on Xcel Energy's capacity requirements under the Commission-approved 2020-2034 Upper Midwest Integrated Resource Plan, the project would be placed into service in the fall of 2025.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *November 7, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Clear Lake Town Hall, 7938 116th St. SE, Clear Lake, MN 55319
*First public meeting additional details:* The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information to the public about the proposed project and the state's site permitting process; and (2) provide members of the public an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. This includes commenting on issues or concerns related to the proposed project and proposing alternatives for consideration. This information will be available on eDockets and on the project webpage ([link removed]).
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *November 8, 2023, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *[link removed]
*Second public meeting additional details:* If you are joining the meeting by WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 on your phone. When it is your turn to speak, your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Additional instructions for participating are available at: [link removed]. Meeting No: 2480 614 0972 Call-In No: +1-415-655-003 (Toll) 1-855-282-6330 (Toll Free) Access Code: 2480 614 0972
Password: shercosolar3

*Link to additional information: *23-217 Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux <[email protected]>, 651-201-2233

 

Fish kill reports

Minnesota Duty Officer reports pertaining to fish kills are summarized in the following table, in accordance with 103G.216, REPORTING FISH KILLS IN PUBLIC WATERS, Subd. 2 Reporting Requirement. These reports were received via the Minnesota Duty Officer prior to the submission deadline for this edition of the EQB Monitor. They represent the raw data/information provided by callers. For more information regarding fish kills in Minnesota see the Department of Natural Resources [ [link removed] ]. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish kills.

*No fish kill reports were received since the last publication*.

 

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Submit a notice to the "EQB" "Monitor"

The "EQB Monitor" is a weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. The "EQB Monitor" is published every Tuesday at noon. Submissions to the "EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ]" are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the "EQB Monitor" schedule [ [link removed] ] for more details.

 

To submit a notice for publication:

Access the EQB monitor submission service [ [link removed] ]

 

Questions? Contact EQB by phone at 651-757-2873 or email us at [email protected]. 

For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website or contact us at [email protected].


















Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

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