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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 16                                                                                             April 22, 2025






Announcements

*Feedback on environmental review webinars*

A huge thank you to all that joined and shared great questions at last week’s “ER 101” webinar. Whether you were able to attend or missed out, please be sure to fill out our survey [ [link removed] ] by Monday, April 28, to tell us your thoughts and what we should include in any upcoming webinars. To view a recording of the webinar, visit our YouTube page [ [link removed] ]. 

This is the first in a planned series of webinars with a goal of providing information about environmental review on a regular basis and creating a community of practice for those interested. Watch the "EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ]" or follow our social media accounts for a calendar of events and registration for upcoming webinars.

 

Feedback on draft greenhouse gas emission calculator

The EQB has contracted with ICF to create a greenhouse gas emission calculator to answer questions 7 and 18 on the environmental assessment worksheet (EAW). We want your feedback on the draft calculator regarding bugs, calculations, general approach, etc., or other ideas you might have. You can access a copy of the calculator by emailing Steph Aho at [email protected] <[email protected].> and submit feedback at Engagement HQ [ [link removed] ]. The deadline to submit feedback has been extended to Friday, April 25.






Canadian Lynx




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] ].

 

Florida Creek Channel Augmentation and Fish Passage in Lac qui Parle County [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Garfield Township; Lac Qui Parle
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*Joint federal and state review: *Yes
*End of comment period: *May 22, 2025

*Project description: *This project will improve fisheries habitat in Florida Creek. The project consists of increasing the channel size approx. 1200 feet of stream channel and constructing a rock-arch fishway downstream of a flood plain culvert. Both elements of the project are located near the intersection of county highway 12 and county road 13.

*Location of public documents:* Lac qui Parle County Courthouse, 600 6th St, Madison, MN 56256

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Lac qui Parle Yellow Bank Watershed, 
Eric Stahl <[email protected]>, 320-598-3319

 

Mud Lake Habitat Restoration [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *May 22, 2025
*Project description: *The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources proposes to improve hydrologic connectivity, reestablish deep-water habitat, reduce invasive species, and enhance coastal wetland habitat at Mud Lake within the St. Louis River Estuary. The proposed project would create a new channel, deep water habitat, hemi marsh and coastal marsh, remove a derelict concrete structure, and install a new 50-foot bridge. This is part of a collaborative effort under the Great Lakes Area of Concern Program to mitigate degradation and loss of habitat from historic activities in the St. Louis River.
Mud Lake Habitat Restoration project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
500 Lafayette Road, Saint Paul, MN 55155

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Caroline Oswald <[email protected]>, 651-259-5655

 

Voyageur Country ATV System Phase 2 [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rainy Lake Unorganized; Koochiching, St. Louis
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *April 11, 2025

*Project description: *The Voyageur Country ATV Club (VCATV) is proposing up to 125 additional miles of roadway and natural surface trail to be included in the Voyageur Country ATV System, connecting communities in Koochiching and St. Louis counties. The proposed project includes 39 possible miles of existing route, 78 possible miles of existing route with improvements, and 8 possible miles of new trail.
Voyageur Country ATV System Phase 2 project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

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

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Kathy Metzker <[email protected]>, 651-259-5694

 

Sioux Rock Quarry Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Jeffers; Cottonwood
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *April 15, 2025

*Project description: *Minnesota Paving and Materials is proposing to expand its existing permitted mine area located in Delton Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The project will include expanding the mineral extraction area of the existing mine operation by approximately 10 acres across two parcels of land.

*Location of public documents:* Cottonwood County Environmental Office, 210 10th St., Windom, MN 56101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Cottonwood County, Alex Schultz <[email protected]>,
507-832-8287

 

Hampton Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

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

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *April 15, 2025

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 140 acres on seven parcels in the City of Hampton and Hampton Township, both of which are in Dakota County, Minnesota. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 400,000 square feet of industrial, 150,000 square feet of highway commercial development, and 3.4 million square feet of agricultural land. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1.5 million square feet of proposed light industrial, technology park.
Hampton Industrial AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Hampton City Hall, 5265 238th Street East, Hampton,
MN 55031

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Hampton, John Knetter <[email protected]>,
651-437-8846

 

Olam Lakeville Industrial [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lakeville; Dakota
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *May 22, 2025

*Project description: *The study area encompasses approximately 152 acres on 4 parcels in the City of Lakeville, Dakota County, Minnesota. Olam Holdings is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to light industrial or office park uses. The study area can be accessed primarily by 215th W St (CSAH 70) to the north. Secondary access points to the study area also include Jacquard Ave to the east and Kaparia Ave to the west. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,360,000 square feet of a proposed light industrial development. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,075,000 square feet of industrial and 285,000 square feet of office space. The proposed development within the study area is anticipated to begin construction in 2025.
Olam Lakeville Industrial project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Lakeville City Hall, 20915 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville,
MN 55044

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Lakeville, Tina Goodroad <[email protected]>,
952-985-4421

 

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

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