New_EQB_Logo




EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 48, Number 35                                                                                         August 27, 2024






Announcements

Minnesota State Fair Pollinator Day - large Monarch butterfly hanging from the ceiling
Celebrate pollinators with us at the Minnesota State Fair!

This year the Environmental Quality Board, the Pollution Control Agency, and the Department of Natural Resources are joining forces to bring a celebration of pollinators at the Minnesota State Fair. For the duration of the fair, stop by the Eco Experience building and enjoy the pollinator display that includes a giant monarch butterfly movable sculpture made of recyclable materials, you can even make its wings flap! On Thursday, August 29 we will host Pollinator Day with pollinator expert speakers presenting at the Eco Experience Sustainability Stage, and different pollinator exhibitors at the DNR Fair grounds. Come and learn about pollinators, why they are important for all of us, and what actions we can all take to help protect them.

We look forward to seeing you there!

 



Environmental Congress QR code to scan to sign up to attend
*2024 Environmental Congress*

Sign up today [ [link removed] ] and join us at the 2024 Environmental Congress! We're hosting this year’s Congress across four cities in Minnesota, each centering around a different environmental issue.

*September 23* – Brainerd: Climate resiliency and adaptation in key habitats (DNR)

*September 24* – St. Cloud: Developing Minnesota’s green economy (DEED, Commerce)

*September 25* – Saint Paul: Supporting local actions through the Climate Action Framework (MPCA)

*September 26* – Mankato: Managing water pollution on agricultural lands (MDA) 

The Congress is a space to harness the energy and hopes of   Minnesotans and cooperatively build a healthy future for our communities, wildlife, lands, and waters. We’ll do this by diving into small group conversations to discuss and identify our shared goals and collective needs for key elements of the state’s ongoing efforts to address critical environmental issues. Participants will then have an opportunity to share their common viewpoints with each other and members of the Board. Each meeting will be from 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. and will include light snacks and refreshments.

For more information, please visit our Environmental Congress webpage [ [link removed] ].

*Deadline to apply:* September 4th







St. Croix River near Taylor's Falls




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] ].

 

Sofidel America - Duluth Facility Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *September 26, 2024

*Project description: *Sofidel America Corporation's Duluth facility (Site) is intending to expand their existing facility operations to include a new process for conversion of parent tissue rolls and materials into various commercial products. Four building additions are proposed to support expanded manufacturing, packaging, warehousing, and shipping capabilities. This redevelopment project will result in approximately 588,759 square feet.
Sofidel America - Duluth Facility Expansion project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Duluth Public Library, 520 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802

*Public meeting date, time, location: *September 10, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Duluth City Hall,
411 West First Street, Council Chambers, Duluth, MN 55802

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Duluth, Jason Mozol <[email protected]>, 218‐730‐5331

 

Brightsdale Dam River Restoration [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lanesboro Township; Fillmore
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Negative (EIS not ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *August 19, 2024

*Project description: *The Brightsdale Dam was constructed in 1903 as part of a hydropower facility and was removed in 2003. The Minnesota DNR, Fillmore SWCD, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, and private landowners are working together to restore the Root River back to its pre-dam location to reduce streambank erosion and improve channel stability and habitat quality. This project will restore approximately a half mile of the Root River to its historic location and be used for educational purposes for the public and students attending Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

*Location of public documents:* Fillmore SWCD, 912 Houston St NW, Preston, MN 55965

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, Riley Buley <[email protected]>, 507-304-2026

 

Farmington Technology Park AUAR [ [link removed] ]

***This notice was intended to be posted in the August 20, 2024 edition of the "EQB Monitor"

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

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 347 acres on 3 parcels in the City of Farmington, Dakota County, Minnesota. Tract Management Company, LP is proposing to redevelop the study area from existing agriculture and golf course use to data center uses. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 2.53 million square feet of proposed light industrial development. Scenario 2 consists of up to 675 residential units, 100,000 square feet of commercial space, and agricultural land. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to start in 2026.
Farmington Technology Park AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Farmington City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington,
MN 55024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Farmington, Tony Wippler <[email protected]>,
651‐280‐6822

 

Farmington Technology Park AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Farmington; Dakota
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *September 26, 2024

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 347 acres on 3 parcels in the City of Farmington, Dakota County, Minnesota. Tract Management Company, LP is proposing to redevelop the study area from existing agriculture and golf course use to data center uses. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 2.53 million square feet of proposed light industrial development. Scenario 2 consists of up to 675 residential units, 100,000 square feet of commercial space, and agricultural land. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to start in 2026.

*Location of public documents:* Farmington City Hall, 430 3rd St, Farmington, MN 55024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Farmington, Tony Wippler <[email protected]>,
651‐280‐6822

 

Moorhead East Growth Area AUAR Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Moorhead; Clay
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *August 12, 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 [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56560

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Moorhead, Robin Huston <[email protected]>,
218‐299‐5374

 

Moorhead North Growth Area AUAR Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Moorhead; Clay
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *August 12, 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 [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56560

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Moorhead, Robin Huston <[email protected]>,
218‐299‐5374

 

Moorhead South Growth Area AUAR Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Moorhead; Clay
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *August 12, 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 [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Moorhead City Hall, 500 Center Avenue, Moorhead,
MN 56560

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Moorhead, Robin Huston <[email protected]>,
218‐299‐5374

 

Woodbury Northeast Area [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Woodbury; Washington
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *August 14, 2024

*Project description: *The Woodbury Northeast Area (study area), is approximately 580 acres of contiguous land located along Interstate 94, a major transportation corridor. The study area is bordered by I-94 on the north and Manning Avenue on the east with development to the west and south. The City of Woodbury adopted the Northeast Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) in February 2009. An update was completed in 2014 and in 2019. Two development scenarios are currently being reviewed with this update.

*Location of public documents:* City of Woodbury, 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury,
MN 55125

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Woodbury, Kristin Seaman <[email protected]>,
651‐714‐3593

 

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*



8/20/2024



Detroit Lakes



Becker



Meadow Lake



Tullibee, Walleye, some panfish



30



 

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] ]