Weekly announcements and environmental review notices

Volume 48, Number 35                                                                                         August 27, 2024

Announcements

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!

2024 Environmental Congress Sign up today 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. Deadline to apply: September 4th

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.

Sofidel America - Duluth Facility Expansion

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

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, 218‐730‐5331

Brightsdale Dam River Restoration

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, 507-304-2026

Farmington Technology Park AUAR

*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

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

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Farmington, Tony Wippler,
651‐280‐6822

Farmington Technology Park AUAR

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,
651‐280‐6822

Moorhead East Growth Area AUAR Update

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

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

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: 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

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

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: 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

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

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

Woodbury Northeast Area

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,
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. 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].