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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 48, Number 13                                                                                          March 26, 2023






Announcements

Environmental Review: join our roundtable discussion

We want to hear from you! Join The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for an informal webinar and listening session. During this virtual session, we will provide information on the 2024 Mandatory Categories report [ [link removed] ], summarize the feedback we received so far via surveys, and spend most of the time hearing from members of the public, interested organizations, and others.

Let us know - what types of projects should go through environmental review? Are there changes necessary to the existing project types?  Should we consider new categories?

The EQB is required by the legislature to write a report on environmental review mandatory categories every three years. Mandatory categories are in EQB rules; they describe what types of projects need an environmental review. The report describes the purpose of each category and analyzes recommendations for whether that category should be changed. Your feedback will be considered in EQB’s drafting on this report which is due to the legislature December 2024.

*Date:* April 23
*Time* 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
*Link to join:* Teams meeting [ [link removed] ]
Meeting ID: 234 682 081 299 Passcode: 6Vniy9
Download Teams [ [link removed] ] | Join on the web [ [link removed] ]

While the meeting will not be recorded, this roundtable is open to all members of the public; please help us spread the word and share within your networks.

 

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Apply now for Public Board Member, Congressional District 7

EQB is looking for Public Board Member representing Minnesota's 7th Congressional District, which covers the majority of Western Minnesota. Serving on the Environmental Quality Board is a unique opportunity to shape environmental issues in Minnesota. Public Board Members bring the voices of Minnesotans from around the state into decision making, helping the Board think in new ways about environmental challenges and solutions. To find out more about our Public Board Member positions, please visit our website [ [link removed] ] for FAQ. To find your district, visit the Minnesota maps and districts webpage [ [link removed] ].

Applications must be submitted through the Minnesota Secretary of State [ [link removed] ]. Applicants will need to create an account and fill out an online profile. You are also encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume with your application. These documents can be uploaded when you apply online. Applications encouraged by *May 1st.*



*Opportunity for public comment on fish kills protocol*

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released a statewide, multi-agency protocol [ [link removed] ] that clearly shows how agencies work together when investigating fish kills in Minnesota. The new guidance includes investigation process, communications expectations, and strategies for reducing fish kills. The MPCA seeks public comment on this draft protocol.  In 2023, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law mandating the development of a fish kill response protocol. A fish kill is the unexpected, sudden death of large numbers of fish in a certain area. The fish kills addressed in the new protocol include those related to the discharge or runoff of pollutants from the land through incidents like toxic spills; runoff of manure, pesticides, or fertilizers; and high-temperature wastewater or stormwater discharges.  

The public comment period begins March 11 and ends May 10. Members of the public are invited to review the draft protocol and submit comments by visiting the public comment page [ [link removed] ] or by U.S. mail to: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency c/o Justin Watkins, 7381 Airport View Drive, Rochester, MN 55902. Deadline for public comment, *May 10th*.

 

Environmental Review and Technical Services Master Contract RFP

The Department of Administration (Admin) has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to establish new master contracts for environmental review related services. You can find the solicitation “Event 2000015438” in the SWIFT Supplier Portal [ [link removed] ], and the event listing “Reference Number PT4348” on the Admin postings webpage [ [link removed] ]. This procurement will result in master contracts that will be available for use by all State Agency and local units of government registered as CPV Members. Responses must be uploaded into the SWIFT Supplier Portal no later than April 16 at 2:00pm. If you have trouble accessing the event or documents, please reach out to the Vendor Helpline at 651-201-8100, option 1,
option 1.






Sun Shining Through Trees in Winter




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] ].

 

*Blue Earth County Judicial Ditch 33 Improvement Project*

*Location (city/township; county): *McPherson; Blue Earth 
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision:* Negative (no EAW ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit decision date*: March 19, 2024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* Blue Earth County, Craig Austinson <[email protected]>,
507-304-4253

 

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*



3/18/2024



Walls Township



Traverse County



Lake Traverse



Freshwater Drum, Channel Catfish, White Bass, Crappies, Bluegill, Walleye



3000



 

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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