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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 48, Number 17                                                                                             April 23, 2024






Announcements

CD 7
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*.






River banks in early spring. Clouds reflecting in moving water of stream.




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] ].

 

Shakopee Gravel Redevelopment [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Shakopee; Scott
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *May 23, 2024

*Project description: *A residential and mixed-use development is proposed on approximately 146 acres southwest of the intersection of Mystic Lake Dr. (County Highway 83) and 17th Ave E (County Highway 16), in Shakopee, Minnesota. This proposed development is located at the site of a sand and gravel pit and includes 223 single family homes, 98 attached townhomes, up to 534 apartment units, 174,300 square feet of mixed commercial uses, and approximately 24 acres of open space. Construction will also include a water treatment plant owned and operated by the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission, stormwater infrastructure, internal roads, and utilities.

*Link to public documents: *Shakopee Gravel Redevelopment EAW available [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* City of Shakopee, 485 Gorman Street, Shakopee,
MN 55379

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Shakopee, Michael Kerski <[email protected]>,
952-233-9346

 

West Transit Village [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rochester; Olmsted
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*Joint federal and state review: *Yes
*End of comment period: *May 23, 2024

*Project description: *The West Transit Village (WTV) project is north of 2nd Street SW and east of Avalon Cove Court NW in Rochester, Olmsted County, MN. The site consists of two parcels and approximately 15 acres with an existing surface parking lot. The WTV project proposes to replace the surface lot with a new transit plaza consisting of a public park-and-ride lot, a Mayo Clinic employee parking ramp, and mixed-use developments. The project is located at the westernmost stop of the proposed Rochester Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) (the Link BRT) project.

*Location of public documents:* City of Rochester Community Development Department, 4001 West River Pkwy NW, Rochester, MN 55901

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rochester Community Development Department, Elliot Mohler <[email protected]>, 507-328-2941

 

Mayo Clinic. Bold. Forward. Unbound. Rochester AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rochester; Olmsted
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *Mayo Clinic is proposing to redevelop approximately 20 acres located in downtown Rochester. The project is located in all or portions of 14 parcels, located in an area generally bounded by 2nd Street SW on the south, Civic Center Drive on the north, 7th Avenue on the west, and 1st Avenue on the east in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. The AUAR will evaluate 1 development scenario that involves multiple buildings totaling approximately 1,970,000 square feet of medical institutional and 90,000 sf of electric generating land uses.

*Location of public documents:* City of Rochester, 4001 West River Pkwy NW, Rochester, MN 55901

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler <[email protected]>,
507-328-2941

 

Blaine Town Center [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Blaine; Anoka
*Process: *AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *May 23, 2024

*Project description: *EB Blaine Development, LLC (the Development Group) is proposing to redevelop the existing commercial/industrial area to high density multi-family residential, a hotel annex, and Commercial/Restaurant/Office uses along with several multi-level parking areas. The Development Group is also proposing to develop a multi-purpose stadium, a multi-use fieldhouse, a multi-story hotel and adventure park, a food hall, and a community area/open air plaza/park located on a portion of the existing play fields owned by the MN Amateur Sports Commission (MNASC).

*Location of public documents:* Blaine City Hall, 10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine,
MN 55449
*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Blaine, Sheila Sellman <[email protected]>,
763-785-6198

 

Central High School Redevelopment Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of comment period: *May 7, 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.

**Link to public documents: **Central High School Redevelopment Project revised AUAR [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents:* City Hall, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802

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

 

General notices

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

 

E-002/GS-23-217 Notice of Public Hearings

*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings for Xcel Energy's application for a site permit to construct an up to 250-megawatt solar energy generating system located in Sherburne County, Minnesota. The Honorable Kristien Butler, Administrative Law Judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings will administer the hearings and will provide the Commission with a summary of public comment.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *May 7, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**First public* meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
**First public* meeting additional details:* Webinar password: shercosolar3 (74372676 from phones and video systems)
Join by video system Dial [email protected]
You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your webinar number.
Join by phone +1-415-655-0003 United States Toll 1-855-282-6330 United States Toll Free Access code: 2491 662 1824
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *May 9, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Becker Community Center, 11500 Sherburne Ave, Becker, MN, 55308

*Link to additional information: *E-002/GS-23-217 Notice of Public Hearings 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.

*Date*



*Location*



*County*



*Waterbody*



*Species*



*Count*



4/12/2024



Columbus



Anoka



Mud Lake



Minnows, Northern, Perch



100+



 

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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