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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 18                                                                                                May 6, 2025











Closeup of morels in the forest




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] ].

 

*Elm Island RV Park*

**Location:* *Nordlund Township, Aitkin County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: * Aitkin County Environmental Services, Andrew Carlstrom <[email protected]>, 218-927-7342

 

Zachman Meadows EAW [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *April 28, 2025

*Project description: *Boyd Dollansky, LLC (Proposer) proposes to expand an existing mixed-use development in Otsego (RGU). The project will include 159 single family homes and 222,000 sq. ft. of commercial space for car condos on 67.46 acres. The first portion of the project was approved in 2024 and is actively under construction. Phase two of the project is the addition of 12.12 acres north to the approved development and will add 44 new single family villa homes. Construction of the project is ongoing with completion anticipated in the Fall of 2026.
*Location of public documents:* Otsego City Hall, 13400 90th Street NE, Otsego,
MN 55330

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Otsego, D. Daniel Licht <[email protected]>,
763-441-4414

 

Mankato – Mississippi River 345 kV Transmission Line Project in Southeast Minnesota [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Mankato; Blue Earth, Dodge, Goodhue, Le Sueur, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS Scoping EAW and Draft Scoping Decision
*End of comment period: *June 5, 2025

*Project description: *The proposed Project is a new approximately 130-mile 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the existing Wilmarth Substation in Mankato to the Mississippi River near Kellogg, and a new approximately 20-mile 161 kV transmission line between the existing North Rochester Substation near Pine Island and an existing transmission line northeast of Rochester. The Project may cross portions of Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Waseca, Rice, Dodge, Olmsted, Goodhue, Winona, Wabasha, and Steele counties and is divided into the four segments. The applicant has requested a route width of 1,000 feet along most of the proposed alignments (500 feet to either side of proposed centerlines), with wider areas (up to 1.25 miles wide) around Project substations, in locations with routing constraints, and where route options come together. The 345 kV portion of this Project typically requires a permanent 150-foot-wide right-of-way.

*Location of public documents:* Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main Street,, Mankato, MN 56001

**In person public* meeting details:* The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the application of Xcel Energy for a certificate of need and a route permit for the Mankato - Mississippi River Transmission Line Project (MMRT). Doors will open one hour prior to each public hearing. Attendees will have an opportunity to review maps and materials on the proposed MMRT Project and ask questions of Xcel Energy and state staff. Discussions and questions posed during the open house do not become part of the official record. Comments are received only during the public hearing. Members of the public may, however, leave written comments with Commission staff during the open house, which will be offered into the official record when the public hearing begins. Forms will be available for this purpose. The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Ann O'Reilly, an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommendation. The purpose of the public hearings is to obtain public input on the proposed project and the draft EIS, and compile the record for the Commission to consider in making a final decision on the certificate of need and route permit applications. Specifically, interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of state staff and the applicant; (2) offer oral and written comments on the merits of the proposed project and on the draft EIS; and (3) suggest possible conditions to be considered for inclusion in a route permit. Written comments will be accepted through June 10, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers CN-22-532 and TL-23-157 in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *May 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Country Inn and Suites by Radisson, 1900 Premier Dr., Mankato, MN 56001

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *May 27, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Waterville High School, 500 E Paquin St., Waterville, MN 56096

*Third public meeting date, time, location: *May 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m., Eagles Club Owatonna, 141 E Rose St., Owatonna, MN 55060

*Fourth public meeting date, time, location: *May 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Zumbrota VFW Post 5727, 25 E 1st St., Zumbrota, MN 55992

*Fifth public meeting date, time, location: *May 29, 2025, 9:00 a.m., Online meeting
*Fifth public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Fifth public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2492 633 3729
Webinar Password: MNPUC
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2492 633 3729
The virtual hearing will commence at 9:00 a.m. and conclude as soon as the last person present has had an opportunity to speak, or at the designated end time, whichever occurs first. 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. 
Link to Additional Webex information and instructions [ [link removed] ]

*Sixth public meeting date, time, location: *May 29, 2025, 5:00 p.m., Faribault American Legion Post 43, 112 5th St. NE, Faribault, MN 55021

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Cezar Panait <[email protected]>, 651-201-2207

 

Hermantown Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Hermantown; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft order for review
*End of comment period: *June 5, 2025

*Project description: *This AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 395 acres on 27 parcels in the City of Hermantown, St. Louis County, Minnesota. The study area is bounded to the north by Morris Thomas Road, to the east by Midway Road, and to the west by Solway Road. The southern boundary of the study area extends parallel to Saint Louis River Road, approximately 0.25 miles to the north. One development scenario is proposed to be evaluated in the AUAR. The development scenario includes multiple buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet of proposed light industrial development.

*Location of public documents:* City of Hermantown, 5105 Maple Grove Road, Hermantown, MN 55811

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Hermantown, Eric Johnson <[email protected]>,
218-729-3600

 

Cannon Falls Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Cannon Falls; Dakota, Goodhue
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 251 acres on 5 parcels in the City of Cannon Falls and Randolph Township, Goodhue and Dakota Counties, Minnesota. MNLCO Dakota County Two, LLC & MNLCO Dakota County Three, LLC is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to industrial or technology park uses. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,750,000 square feet of a proposed industrial development. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,500,000 square feet of technology park. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to begin construction in 2026.
Cannon Falls Industrial AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Cannon Falls City Hall, 918 River Rd, Cannon Falls,
MN 55009

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Cannon Falls, Jon Radermacher <[email protected]>,
507-263-9304

 

I-35E Corridor AUAR Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lino Lakes; Anoka
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of comment period:* May 20, 2025

*Project description: *The City of Lino Lakes has prepared the required Update to the I-35E Corridor AUAR project. This is the fourth AUAR update and approximately 843 acres of the 4,670 acres project area has now received development approval.
I-35E Corridor AUAR Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City Hall, 600 Town Center Pkwy, Lino Lakes, MN 55014

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Lino Lakes, Michael Grochala <[email protected]>,
651-982-2427

 

Legacy Bay Farms [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Saint Michael; Wright
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *April 22, 2025

*Project description: *The Capstone AUAR area covers ±560 acres within the City of St. Michael, Minnesota. The AUAR area includes most of the shoreline of Uhl Lake (DNR public water 86-17P). The AUAR area is located south of CSAH 35 (30th Street NE), mostly west of Jamison Avenue NE, north of CSAH 34 (10th Street NE), and east of Iffert Avenue NE. The City of St. Michael adopted the AUAR and Mitigation Plan on March 24th, 2020. This report is intended to serve as an update of the 2020 AUAR, an update on the development status, an update to the environmental analysis as necessary, and a review of mitigation measures. The current site plan includes 1,219 homes (including 229 detached townhomes), two public parks, an athletic complex, neighborhood parks, interior roads, stormwater features, and open space. The 40 acres north of the future athletic complex were anticipated to be developed into commercial space at the time of the 2020 AUAR.

*Location of public documents:* City of St. Michael, 11800 Town Center Drive NE, 
St. Michael, MN 55376

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of St. Michael, Marc Weigle <[email protected]>,
763-416-7932

 

Solway Solar [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Lammers Township, Beltrami
*Process: *Alternative review
*Notice title: *NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
*Notice description: *The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Otter Tail Power Company’s (Otter Tail Power) site permit application for the construction and operation of the Solway Solar Project, an up to 66-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generating facility (Project) located in Lammers Township in Beltrami County, Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Commerce (Department) issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on April 30, 2025. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, and possible mitigations for identified impacts.

*Project description: *NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings on Otter Tail Power Company's site permit application for the construction and operation of the Solway Solar Project, an up to 66-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generating facility located in Lammers Township, Beltrami County, Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on April 30, 2025. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, and possible mitigations for identified impacts. The EA is available on the Department's website [ [link removed] ] and on eDockets [ [link removed] ], docket# 24-309. Print copies of the EA are available from the Department upon request; please contact Tessa Kothlow at [email protected] or 651-539-2732. 
Solway Solar project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Bemidji Public Library, 509 America Ave., NW Bemidji,
MN 56601

*First public meeting date, time, location: *May 14, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Solway Elementary School, 159 Lomen Avenue SE, Solway, MN 56678
**First public* meeting additional details:* The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Suzanne Todnem, an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a report including findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a recommendation. The purpose of the public hearings is to obtain public input on the proposed project and compile the record for the Commission to consider in making a final decision on the site permit application. Specifically, interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of state staff and the applicant; (2) offer oral and written comments on the merits of the proposed project and on the environmental assessment; and (3) suggest possible conditions to be considered for inclusion in the site permit.  Comments received at the hearings and during the comment period will be used to inform the record and help the Commission make its final decision. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online hearings. The hearings 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 hearing, whichever occurs first. Members of the public may participate without the necessity of intervening as a party; representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *May 15, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**Second public * meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
***Second public ** meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2487 820 8198
Webinar Password: MNPUC
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2487 820 8198
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. 
Link to additional WebEx information and instructions [ [link removed] ]

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Cezar Panait <[email protected]>, 651-201-2207

 

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

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