Weekly announcements and environmental review notices

Volume 48, Number 16                                                                                             April 16, 2024

Announcements

Environmental Quality Board meeting

Wednesday, April 17, 1 – 4:00 p.m.
Join us in person or virtually for the April 2024 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the Board will vote on adaptation of the EQB Tribal Coordination and Consultation Policy and will hear details and discuss the draft strategic plan. The Board will also hear information on the alignment of the state water plan and specific response to nitrate in Southeast Minnesota. More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the Board meeting webpage.

Environmental Review: join our roundtable discussion

Friday, April 19 and Tuesday, April 23, 12 – 1:00 p.m.
We want to hear from you! Join The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) for an informal webinar and listening session. EQB is offering two virtual sessions where we will provide information on the 2024 Mandatory Categories report, 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. Both listening sessions will cover the same introductory topics, so you do not need to attend both.

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. For more information on how to join the roundtable discussions, visit the Mandatory Categories webpage.

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 for FAQ. To find your district, visit the Minnesota maps and districts webpage. Applications must be submitted through the Minnesota Secretary of State. 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 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 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 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.

North Star RNG Anaerobic Digester

Location (city/township; county): Long Prairie; Todd 
Process: Petition
Step: Responsible governmental unit assigned

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 
Dan Card, 651-757-2261

Shores of Lake John Residential Development

Location (city/township; county): Annandale; Wright
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: May 16, 2024

Project description: The Shores of Lake John is a proposed 38 lot single family residential development located approximately 1 mile west of downtown Annandale, Minnesota. There are 5 riparian lots and 33 non-riparian lots proposed on approximately 30 acres of agricultural and wooded land. The proposal includes wetlands, buffers, and trails.

Link to public documents:  Shores of Lake John Residential Development EAW
Location of public documents: Annandale City Hall, 30 Cedar Street E, Annandale,
MN 55302
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Annandale, Jacob Thunander,
320-274-3055 x2

General notices

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

Interim Final MFRC Forest Management Guideline Updates Available for Public Comment

Notice description: MFRC is soliciting public comment specific to the interim final FMG revision updates approved by the Council. Public comments will be used to guide the decision to finalize or amend the interim final FMG revision updates. The public comment period begins April 16, 2024, and ends May 16, 2024. Members of the public are invited to review the FMG revision updates and submit comments via email to [email protected] with the subject line "FMG Updates Comments." Please refer to the MFRC website for additional information including the specific revisions (https://mn.gov/frc/programs/forest/guidelines/) and the comprehensive Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines for Landowners, Loggers and Resource Managers (issued 2012) to view specific guidelines referenced within the interim final FMG updates.

Link to additional information: Interim Final MFRC Forest Management Guideline Updates additional information

Contact: Minnesota Forest Resources Council, David Wilson, 651-603-6761

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.

Access the EQB monitor submission service

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].