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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 48, Number 8                                                                                        February 20, 2024






Announcements

*Environmental Quality Board meeting*

*Wednesday, February 21, 1 – 4:15 p.m. * Join us virtually for the February 2024 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the Board will elect a Vice Chair, vote on an updated Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) resolution, vote to approve the revised Environment & Energy Report Card, and engage in a facilitated strategic plan session. More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the board meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].

* *

*Environmental* *review survey launches - provide your feedback on mandatory categories*

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) publishes a Mandatory Category Report every three years. Mandatory categories specify when projects go through environmental review. This report will summarize the categories and share recommendations for whether any categories should be added, deleted, or changed. Here are two ways you can share your ideas: 1) Join the conversation on our online engagement platform [ [link removed] ]; 2) Give more specific feedback, by taking this survey [ [link removed] ] regarding both the mandatory categories and the decision criteria. Feedback will be anonymously compiled and used to help EQB shape our recommendations in the draft report.  The deadline for input is February 28.









Pink and blue sky with sparse clouds at sunrise or sunset




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] ].

 

Gun Lake Family Campground

**Location (city/township; county): **Fleming Township; Aitkin 
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *RGU assignment

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Aitkin County Environmental Services, Andrew Carlstrom <[email protected]>, 218-927-7342

 

The Oaks of Battle Brook Second Addition [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Baldwin Township; Sherburne
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *March 21, 2024

*Project description: *The Oaks of Battle Brook Second Addition is a proposed single-family residential subdivision consisting of 24 lots from one +/-83.9-acre parcel located in Section 20 of Baldwin Township, Sherburne County, MN. Lots in the proposed subdivision will be served with new residential streets. The residential lots will have individual wells and septic systems.

*Location of public documents:* Baldwin Township, 30239 128th St NW, Princeton,
MN 55371

*R**esponsible governmental unit and contact: *The Planning Company LLC, Daniel Licht <[email protected]>, 612-991-2230

 

Central High School Redevelopment Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *March 21, 2024

*Project description: *The City of Duluth is preparing an AUAR for an approximately 80-acre area on the site of the former Central High School near Central Entrance and H. Courtney Drive in the City of Duluth, St. Louis County, Minnesota. Two development scenarios will be evaluated as part of the AUAR which include a business park scenario consistent with the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan, and a mixed residential and commercial use scenario.

*Location of public documents:* Duluth Public Library, 520 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802

*Public meeting date, time, location: *March 12, 2024, 5:00 p.m., City of Duluth Planning Commission, 411 W. First Street, Council Chambers, Duluth, MN 55802

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Duluth, Kyle Deming <[email protected]>, 218-730-5580

 

Timberwolf Solar Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Lodi Township, Mower
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *March 6, 2024

*Notice title: *NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION AND ENVRIONMENTAL ASSESSMENT SCOPING MEETINGS
*Notice description: *The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and the Department of Commerce (Department) will hold public information and environmental analysis (EA) scoping meetings on Timberwolf Solar, LLC’s (Timberwolf) application for a site permit to construct an up to 100 MW solar energy generating system located in Mower County, Minnesota. The site covers approximately 1,113 acres. The purpose of these meetings 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. There will be two public meetings in this matter: an in-person meeting and a WebEx (online) meeting. The information presented will be the same at both meetings.
*Project description: *Timberwolf, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (NEER), is requesting a Site Permit from the Commission for the Timberwolf Solar Project, an up to 100-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) nameplate capacity solar energy conversion facility located in Lodi Township, Mower County, Minnesota (Project). The Project would produce up to approximately 201,480 megawatt hours (MWh) of solar energy annually. Timberwolf proposes to connect the solar energy conversion facility to the project substation through collector lines located MN State Highway 56 road right-of-way. The Project will connect to the existing Adams substation through a 345-kilovolt (kV) generation-tie (gen-tie) of approximately 190 feet. The Commission must approve a site permit before the project can be constructed. The site permit application is being reviewed under the alternative review process (Minn. R. 7850.2800 to 7850.3900).

*Link to public documents: *Timberwolf Solar Project alternative review [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Department of Commece, 85 7th Place East, Suite 280 Saint Paul, MN 55101

*First public meeting date, time, location: *February 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Adams American Legion, 321 Main St, Adams, MN 55909
**First public * meeting additional details:* Doors will open one hour prior to the meeting. Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps and materials for the project. During this time, comments made by attendees will become a part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing. Forms will be available for this purpose. Commission and Department staff, as well as staff from Timberwolf Solar, LLC, will be available to answer questions about the project and the process. To find out if a meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or 651- 201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc.
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *February 21, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**Second public * meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
**Second public *meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2493 005 6239 Webinar Password: timberwolf Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Access Code: 2493 005 6239 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 information and instructions are available at: [link removed]

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Commerce, Suzanne Steinhauer <[email protected]>, 651-539-1843

 

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.

*Date*



*Location*



*County*



*Waterbody*



*Species*



*Count*



2/8/2024



Mississippi River



Wabasha County



Wabasha



Gizzard Shad



1100



 

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

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 651-757-2873

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