Weekly announcements and environmental review notices

Volume 48, Number 42                                                                                      October 15, 2024

Announcements

Environmental Quality Board meeting

Wednesday, October 16, 1 – 4:00 p.m. Join us in person or virtually for the October 2024 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the Board will hear recommendations for oil and gas production, and hear an update on the regulatory framework for agriculturally-related genetically engineered organisms in Minnesota. The Board will also discuss and hear details about the draft Mandatory Category Report.

More information, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting details, can be found on the Board meeting webpage.

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.

Superior Sand and Gravel Crow Pit – Greenfield, MN

Location (city/township; county): Greenfield; Hennepin
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: November 14, 2024

Project description: Superior Sand and Gravel (SSG) operates an existing sand and gravel mine located in Greenfield, Hennepin County, MN. SSG is proposing to expand the existing mine by an additional 30.43 acres. The expansion is a result of the depletion of usable aggregate at the existing mining site. The mining operation(s) would move into the new expansion area and SSG would continue reclamation of the existing Site. Operation would primarily include excavation of sand and gravel resources, and processing of the materials to produce aggregate products for use in area construction projects.
Superior Sand and Gravel Crow Pit – Greenfield, MN project link provided by RGU

Locations of public documents: 
Greenfield City Hall, 7738 Commerce Circle, Greenfield, MN 55373
Rockford Great River Regional Library, 8220 Cedar St, Rockford, MN 55373

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Greenfield, Brad Scheib, 
612-252-7122

West Meadows Development

Location (city/township; county): Rochester; Olmsted
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: November 14, 2024

Project description: The West Meadows Development consists of approximately 47 acres of which approximately 41 acres are proposed for medium density residential development and six (6) acres of commercial use in the City of Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. The project includes approximately 936 multi-family units in six structures with some underground parking and surface parking; and 22,000 square feet of commercial development. The project is adjacent to County Road 34 and 45th Avenue SW. The project will include one new internal public roadway, storm water treatment facilities, and municipal sanitary sewer and watermain.
West Meadows Development project link provided by RGU

Location of public documents: Development Services and Infrastructure Center, 4001
W River Parkway, Rochester, MN 55901

Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler,
507-328-2600

Farmington West Industrial

Location (city/township; county): Farmington; Dakota
Process: Large AUAR
Step: AUAR adoption

Responsible governmental unit decision: Adequate
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: October 7, 2024

Project description: The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 329 acres on six parcels in the City of Farmington, Dakota County, Minnesota. Project Bengal, LLC is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to a technology park or industrial uses.
Farmington West Industrial 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

General notices

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

MAC Assessment of Environmental Effects 2025-2031 Capital Improvement Program for Airports

Notice description: Minnesota Statutes, Section 473.614 requires the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to prepare an Assessment of Environmental Effects (AOEE) for projects in the Commission's seven-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 2025-2031 for airports included in its system. A copy of the AOEE may be downloaded on or after October 15, 2024, online at: https://metroairports.org/about-us/publications-financials A copy of the AOEE may be obtained by contacting Jenn Felger, MAC, 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450; 612-726-8189. Comments concerning the AOEE may be given at a public hearing to be held on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. in room 3048A, Mezzanine level, Terminal 1, MSP Airport, or in writing to Jenn Felger at the MAC address or via email to [email protected]. Comments on the AOEE must be received by 4:00 p.m. central time on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

First Public meeting date, time, location: November 4, 2024, 10:30 a.m., Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Room 3048A, Mezzanine level, Terminal 1, 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111
First Public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
First Public meeting additional details: The public hearing may be viewed virtually, but public comment can only be received in person at the public hearing or in writing to Jenn Felger at the MAC, 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis MN, 55450, or via email to [email protected]. Written comments on the AOEE must be received by 4:00 p.m. central time on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.
Second Public meeting date, time, location: November 4, 2024, 10:30 a.m., Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) Room 3048A, Mezzanine level, Terminal 1, 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111
Second Public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second Public meeting additional details: The public hearing may be viewed virtually, but public comment can only be received in person at the public hearing or in writing to Jenn Felger at the MAC, 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis MN, 55450, or via email to [email protected]. Written comments on the AOEE must be received by 4:00 p.m. central time on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024.

Link to additional information: Capital Improvement Program for Airports additional information

Contact: Metropolitan Airports Commission, Bridget Rief, 612-725-8371

Notice of Informational Meetings, Public Hearings, and Draft EIS

Notice description: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public and evidentiary hearings on the applications of Xcel Energy for a certificate of need and a route permit for the Minnesota Energy Connection Project, a new approximately 171- to 174-mile 345-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line between Sherburne and Lyon counties (MNEC Project). The Department has prepared a draft EIS for the proposed MNEC Project. The purpose of the draft EIS is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed MNEC Project, suggest possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluate the alternatives contained in the scoping decision. https://eera.web.commerce.state.mn.us/web/project/15000
Commission's eDocket System: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/edockets/searchDocuments.do?method=eDocketsResult&docketYear=22&docketNumber=132

First public meeting date, time, location: October 29, 2024, 11:00 a.m., Monticello Community Center, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
First public meeting additional details: Doors will open one hour prior to each meeting/hearing. Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps and materials on the proposed MNEC Project and ask questions of Xcel Energy and state staff. During this time, comments made by attendees will become a part of the record for consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing. Forms will be available for this purpose. The formal public meetings/hearings will be conducted by an administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommendation. Written comments will be accepted through November 25, 2024, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket number in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission. Online: https://mn.gov/puc/consumers/public-comments Email: [email protected] U.S. Mail: Consumer Affairs Office, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101
Second public meeting date, time, location: October 29, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2498 811 3968
Webinar Password: X6FnmJHTh24 (96366548 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 249 881 13968
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.
Third public meeting date, time, location: October 30, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Litchfield Opera House, 136 N Marshall Avenue, Litchfield, MN 55355
Fourth public meeting date, time, location: October 30, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Kimball Schools Cafetorium, 100 Highway 55 West, Kimball, MN 55355
Fifth public meeting date, time, location: November 6, 2024, 10:00 a.m., Kilowatt Community Center, 600 Kilowatt Drive, Granite Falls, MN 56241
Sixth public meeting date, time, location: November 6, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Max’s Grille, 2425 W Lincoln Avenue, Olivia, MN 56277
Seventh public meeting date, time, location: November 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Redwood Area Community Center, 901 East Cook Street, Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Eighth public meeting date, time, location: November 7, 2024, 10:00 p.m., 5 Family Ranch, 2717 County Road 6, Marshall, MN 56258

Link to additional information: Notice of Informational Meetings, Public Hearings, and Draft EIS additional information

Contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Scott Ek, 651-539-1070

Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meetings (TL-24-132)

Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings on the application of Great River Energy and Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative's (Applicants) for a route permit for the construction of a new 4.3-mile 115-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit high-voltage transmission line (HVTL) and substation (Project) in Laketown and Dahlgren townships in Carver County, Minnesota. The purpose of the meeting is to: (1) provide information to the public about the proposed project and the state's high-voltage transmission line route permitting processes; and (2) provide members of the public an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. This includes commenting on issues or concerns related to the proposed project and proposing alternatives for consideration.

First public meeting date, time, location: October 23, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
First public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
First public meeting additional details: Date: October 23, 2024 Time: 6:00 pm Join by WebEx (Webinar) Link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m3aa990fef6f97ed7118ac396fb77f2bd Webinar Number: 2496 193 2236 Webinar Password: laketown2024 (52538697 when dialing from a phone or video system) Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 2496 193 2236 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/
Second public meeting date, time, location: October 28, 2024, 6:00 p.m., Chaska Event Center, 3210 Chaska Blvd, Chaska, MN 55318
Second 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 both 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.

Link to additional information: Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meetings (TL-24-132) additional information

Contact: MN 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].