New_EQB_Logo




EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 48, Number 18                                                                                            April 30, 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*.






Great Horned Owl Chicks in Nest




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] ].

 

Northland Constructors Borrow Pit Expansion

*Location (city/township; county):* Saginaw; St. Louis 
*Process:* Petition
*Step:* Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *EAW not required
*Responsible governmental unit decision date: *April 22, 2024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* Saint Louis County Planning and Zoning Department, Mark Lindhorst <[email protected]>, 218-471-7633  

 

Sherco Solar 3 Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Clear Lake Township, Sherburne
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *May 22, 2024

*Notice title: *Sherco Solar 3 Environmental Assessment Availability
*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on April 22, 2024. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluation of any alternatives contained in the scoping decision.
*Project description: *Xcel Energy has applied to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for a site permit, to construct Sherco Solar 3, an up to 250 MW solar energy generating system to be located in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Xcel Energy proposes to locate the project on approximately 1,780 acres between U.S. Highway 10 and the Mississippi River in the city of Clear Lake and Clear Lake Township in Sherburne County, Minnesota.

*Link to public documents: *Sherco Solar 3 Project [ [link removed] ]
*Location of public documents: *Great River Regional Library – Clearwater, 740 Clearwater Center, Clearwater, MN 55320 and Great River Regional Library – Becker, 11500 Sherburne Ave, Becker, MN 55308

*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 Number: 2491 662 1824
Webinar Password: shercosolar3 (74372676 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 2491 662 1824
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat or raised-hand functions 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]
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *May 9, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Becker Community Center, 11500 Sherburne Ave, Becker, MN 55308
**Second public* meeting additional details:* If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these hearings, please contact the Commission at
651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in advance of the meeting. To find out if a hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.

*Responsible governmental unit and 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.

*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 [ [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

Facebook [ [link removed] ]   Twitter [ [link removed] ]   LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]   you tube [ [link removed] ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]



body .abe-section-table {max-width:601px !important;} body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Environmental Quality Board · 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]