Weekly announcements and environmental review notices

Volume 48, Number 30                                                                                               July 23, 2024

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.

The Parkway Neighborhood

Location (city/township; county): Dayton; Hennepin
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: August 22, 2024

Project description: The Parkway Neighborhood residential/commercial development is proposed on approximately 67.29 acres southwest of I-94 and Dayton Parkway in the City of Dayton, Minnesota. The project will include 650 medium/high-density residential units, a commercial parcel with convenience store, gas station/car wash, and service retail building(s). The project will include a connection to the Rush Creek Regional Trail, recreational area, internal roads, parks, and stormwater features.
The Parkway Neighborhood project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Dayton City Hall, 12260 South Diamond Lake Road, Dayton, MN 55327

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Dayton, Jon Sevald,
763-712-3221

Whisky Creek and South Tributary Channel Restoration Project

Location (city/township; county): Barnsville Township; Clay
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: August 22, 2024

Project description: The Buffalo-Red River Watershed District is proposing a channel restoration project on segments of Whisky Creek and the South Tributary. The restoration project will provide flood damage reductions, sediment buildup reduction, and channel erosion reduction that would lead to improved water quality and natural habitats. The restoration project will be implemented in two phases, phase 1 is restoration of Whisky Creek and phase 2 is restoration of the South Tributary. Phase 1 of restoration includes approximately 5.26 miles of Whisky Creek and portions of Clay County Ditch 34 (S18-23, T137N, R46W (Barnesville Township)) beginning at 120th Street South and ending at County Road 2. Phase 2 of restoration includes approximately 9.27 miles of the South Tributary of Whisky Creek (S10, 14, 15, 23, 24, 25 and 36, T137N, R47W (Alliance Township); S30-33, T137N, R46W (Barnesville Township)).

Location of public documents: Buffalo-Red River Watershed District, 1303 4th Ave. NE, Barnesville, MN 56514

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Buffalo-Red River Watershed District, Kristine Goeden, 218-789-3100

Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Fuel Storage Expansion

Location (city/township; county): Welch; Goodhue
Process: EIS
Step: EIS preparation notice

Project description: Northern States Power Company, d/b/a. Xcel Energy proposes to construct and operate an expanded ISFSI at PINGP to provide 20 additional years of spent fuel storage between 2033/2034 and 2053/2054. The expansion would use a welded canister dry fuel storage (DFS) system licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for both storage and transportation. The Project is proposed with the Company’s intent to seek necessary federal approvals to extend the existing operating life of the two pressurized water reactors at the plant. The Project would construct up to two pads, as needed, to store a projected 34 additional DFS systems (approximately 1,200 spent fuel assemblies) within the current fence line of the ISFSI.
Summary of scoping decision: The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the attached scoping decision.
Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Fuel Storage Expansion project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Golden Rule Building, 85 7th Pl E, St. Paul, MN 55101

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Department of Commerce, Jenna Ness, 651-539-1693

Blaine Town Center

Location (city/township; county): Blaine; Anoka
Process: AUAR
Step: AUAR adoption

Responsible governmental unit decision: Adequate
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: July 17, 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: City of Blaine, 10801 Town Square Drive NE, Blaine,
MN 55441
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Blaine, Sheila Sellman,
763-785-6198

Moorhead East Growth Area AUAR Update

Location (city/township; county): Moorhead; Clay
Process: AUAR update
Step: Revised AUAR
End of comment period: August 6, 2024

Project description: The City of Moorhead is updating the East Growth Area AUAR for the first time since its adoption in 2018. A relatively small amount of development has occurred in the growth area since 2018. The 2023 Update includes assumptions in the adopted 2022 Comprehensive Plan Update and the AUAR update incorporates questions regarding climate change adopted by the EQB in December 2022.
Moorhead East Growth Area AUAR Update project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56561
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Moorhead, Robin Huston,
218-299-5374

Moorhead North Growth Area AUAR Update

Location (city/township; county): Moorhead; Clay
Process: AUAR update
Step: Revised AUAR
End of comment period: August 6, 2024

Project description: The City of Moorhead is updating the North Growth Area AUAR for the second time since its adoption in 2009 and subsequent update in 2018. A relatively small amount of development has occurred in the growth area since 2018. The AUAR Update includes assumptions in the adopted 2022 Comprehensive Plan Update and the AUAR update incorporates questions regarding climate change adopted by the EQB in December 2022.
Moorhead North Growth Area AUAR Update project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56561

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Moorhead, Robin Huston,
218-299-5374

Moorhead South Growth Area AUAR Update

Location (city/township; county): Moorhead; Clay
Process: AUAR update
Step: Revised AUAR
End of comment period: August 6, 2024

Project description: The City of Moorhead is updating the South Growth Area AUAR for the second time since its adoption in 2009 and subsequent update in 2018. A relatively small amount of development has occurred since 2018. The AUAR Update includes assumptions in the adopted 2022 Comprehensive Plan Update and the AUAR update incorporates questions regarding climate change adopted by the EQB in December 2022.
Moorhead South Growth Area AUAR Update project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56561

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Moorhead, Robin Huston,
218-299-5374

General notices

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

Iron Pine Solar Project Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Meetings

Notice description: Docket Number: IP7114/GS-23-414 (Site Permit) and IP7114/TL-23-415 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and the Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) will hold public information and environmental assessment (EA) scoping meetings on Iron Pine Solar Power, LLC's (Iron Pine) joint application for a site permit and route permit to construct an up to 325-megawatt (MW) solar energy generating system and 230-kilovolt (kV) transmission line to be located in Pine County, Minnesota. Iron Pine, a wholly owned subsidiary of Swift Current Energy, has applied for a Site Permit and Route Permit from the Commission for the Iron Pine Solar Project, an up to 325- MW solar energy generating system and a 230-kV high voltage transmission line located in Kettle River Township, Pine County, Minnesota.

First public meeting date, time, location: July 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Pine County Government Office, 1602 MN-23, Sandstone, MN, 55072
First public meeting additional details: The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process; and (2) provide an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the applicant. 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. State staff and the applicant will make presentations during the meeting. State staff will explain the permitting and environmental review processes, and the applicant will provide an overview of the proposed project. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments for the record. The meetings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded, or the scheduled end time of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online meetings. If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, 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 meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Second public meeting date, time, location: July 25, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2492 905 4878 Webinar Password: ironpinesolar414 Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 2492 905 4878 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: https://mn.gov/puc/activities/meetings/webex/

Link to additional information: Iron Pine Solar Project additional information

Contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux, 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. Call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 651‐649‐5451 or 800‐422‐0798 to report fish kills.

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].