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.
Location (city/township; county): Hinckley; Pine
Process: EIS
Step: EIS Adequacy Determination
Responsible governmental unit decision: Adequate
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: November 6, 2023
Project description: The DNR proposes to remove the dam on the Grindstone River in Hinckley and restore connectivity to the river channel. This would result in the permanent removal of the 26.6-acre Grindstone Reservoir, which is a public water basin. The removal is proposed because the dam is in poor condition, it presents a safety hazard, and it is a barrier to passage of fish and other aquatic wildlife on the river. The dam also does not allow for natural sediment transport and natural stream features or habitat diversity.
Link to public documents: Grindstone Dam Removal Project EIS adequacy determination
Location of public documents: DNR Library, 500 Lafayette, Saint Paul, MN 55155
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Becky Horton, 651-259-5122
Location: Saint Joseph Township, Stearns
Process: Alternative review
Notice title: Notice of Permit Decision
Notice description: Notice of Permit Decision in the Matter of the Application of Great River Energy for a Route Permit for the St. Joseph Area 69 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project in Stearns County, Minnesota. Docket No. ET‐2/TL‐22‐235. NOTICE IS HEREBY GI VEN that in an order issued October 23, 2023, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission:(i) found that the environmental assessment prepared by the Department of Commerce and the record created at the public hearing addressed the issues identified in the scoping decision; and (ii) issued a route permit to Great River Energy for its 115 kV Transmission Line Project in Stearns County, Minnesota.
Project description: GRE has applied for a route permit to rebuild its existing 69 kilovolt transmission line (ST-WW Line) in the city of St. Joseph and in St. Joseph and Wendell townships in Stearns County, Minnesota. The proposed transmission line rebuild project would include: 1. Removing approximately 3.2 miles of an existing 69-kilovolt transmission line and structures between the West St. Cloud, Westwood, and Le Sauk substations and replacing those facilities with a new overhead 115-kilovolt transmission line and structures. 2. Extending the transmission line approximately 170 feet northwest near the Le Sauk Substation to tap into a new switch to be added on GRE's existing 115-kilovolt transmission line and add a new switch near the existing Westwood Substation. 3. Expanding the existing West St. Cloud Substation by approximately 6,500 square feet to accommodate facility upgrades and additions.
Link to public documents: St. Joseph Area 115 kV Transmission Line Rebuild Project alternative review
Location of public documents: Clemens Library, 37 College Ave S Saint Joseph,
MN 56374
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Public Utilities Commission, Cezar Panait, 651-201-2207
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. 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.
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 are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the EQB Monitor schedule for more details.
To submit a notice for publication:
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].
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