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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 20                                                                                              May 20, 2025






Announcements

*Environmental Quality Board meeting*

*Wednesday, May 21, 1 – 4:00 p.m. *Join us in person or virtually for the May 2025 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the board will hear about the final Climate Calculator and an update on the 2025 Groundwater Policy Report. The board will also vote on EQB by-laws and participate in a facilitated exercise on engagement strategies.

More information, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting details, can be found on the board meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

*Climate Calculator overview trainings*

The EQB and our contractor, ICF, have worked together for the past 15 months to create a climate calculator for environmental review. It facilitates the gathering of climate information and provides additional accuracy, transparency, and consistency in answering EAW items 7 and 18 while reducing the time, cost, and uncertainty for government units and project proposers.

EQB and ICF are providing *four trainings* over the next couple months to help users familiarize themselves with this new resource and help troubleshoot any issues that might arise. The first two training sessions will cover the same material and provide an overview of the Climate Calculator for users. Dates and meeting info are below.

*May 22, 10:00-11:00 a.m*.
Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
Meeting ID: 263 427 633 162 0
Passcode: Gc7Vt7sz
Or dial in by phone: 1-571-348-5774 
Phone conference ID: 212 670 753#

*June 4, 10:00-11:00 a.m*. 
Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
Meeting ID: 273 192 877 637 3
Passcode: vL7ED3T3
Or dial in by phone: 1-571-348-5774 
Phone conference ID: 352 565 041#

If you’re unable to attend these first two trainings, more opportunities will be scheduled soon; stay tuned for more details. EQB will also provide a recording of these trainings on our website and YouTube channel. A copy of the calculator can be found at the Climate Calculator webpage [ [link removed] ]. If you have further questions, please email Stephanie Aho at [email protected].

 






Ruby-throated hummingbird in flight




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] ].

 

Tonka Bay Indian Cemetery Soil Repatriation

*Location:* Tonka Bay, Hennepin County
*Process:* Petition
*Step:* Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* City of Tonka Bay, CH Holl <[email protected]> <[email protected]>, 952-474-7994

 

Archer Datacenters Faribault Campus [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Faribault; Rice
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *June 20, 2025

*Project description: *The Archer Datacenters Faribault Campus project is south of 150th Street West and east of Acorn Trail in Faribault, Rice County, MN. The site consists of one parcel of approximately 84.3 acres of agricultural and undeveloped woodland. Archer Datacenters proposes to develop the study area from existing agriculture to up to 500,000 square feet of data center buildings with associated utilities and parking lot.

*Location of public documents:* Faribault City Hall, 208 1st Ave NW, Faribault, MN 55021

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Faribault, Harry Davis <[email protected]>,
507-333-0388

 

Highway 5 Improvements Project: EAW and EA [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Victoria; Carver
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*Joint federal and state review: *Yes
*End of comment period: *June 20, 2025

*Project description: *Carver County, in cooperation with its partner, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), along with the cities of Chanhassen and Victoria, is proposing to reconstruct Highway 5 to an urban 4-lane roadway between Commercial Avenue in Victoria to Highway 41 in Chanhassen. A roundabout is planned at Commercial Avenue and new traffic signals are proposed at Minnewashta Parkway and Park/Kochia Road. Roadway improvements are also proposed along County Highway 13 (Rolling Acres Rd/Bavaria Rd), which includes reconstruction of the rural 2-lane roadway to an urban 2-lane divided road with a center landscaped median and roundabout intersections at Inter Laken and Tamarack Trail. Several pedestrian/bicycle improvements will be made, which include closing gaps in the existing system and adding enhanced crossings in the form of trail underpasses and a trail bridge. The Project includes drainage features to collect and treat runoff.
Highway 5 Improvements Project: EAW and EA project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Carver County Public Works Facility, 11360 Highway, Cologne, MN 55322

*Public meeting date, time, location: *June 12, 2025, 5:00 p.m., City of Chanhassen Recreation Center, 2310 Coulter Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN 55317

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Transportation, Diane Langenbach <[email protected]>, 651-271-7334

 

Oakwater Ridge [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Elk River; Sherburne
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *June 20, 2025

*Project description: *The Oakwater Ridge residential/commercial development is proposed on approximately ±248 acres west of U.S. Highway 10/169 and east of the Mississippi River in the City of Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota. The project will include 536 single-family residential homes and a commercial parcel (likely consisting of a multi-tenant retail strip and a gas station). The project will include several internal roadways, a river overlook, an open space/recreational area, a future trail, a greenway corridor, and stormwater features.

*Location of public documents:* Elk River City Hall, 13065 Orono Parkway, Elk River,
MN 55330

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Elk River, Zachary Carlton <[email protected]>,
763-635-1035

 

Carver Industrial Park [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Carver; Carver
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *March 3, 2025

*Project description: *United Properties (Proposer) proposes to develop a multi-purpose light industrial complex (mixture of corporate office and warehouse) north of Highway 212, in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of Jonathon Carver Parkway/ County State Aid Highway 11 (CSAH 11) and Levi Griffin Road in the City of Carver. Two buildings are proposed on the approximately 29.5 acre site, with a total square footage of 378,000 (189,000 square feet each), as well as landscaping and new entrance roads and parking lot. Construction is anticipated to begin Spring 2025.
Carver Industrial Park project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Carver City Hall, 316 Broadway, Carver, MN 55315

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Carver County, Erin Smith <[email protected]>, 952-448-5353

 

Lakeview Replacement Hospital and Medical Campus [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Stillwater; Washington
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 6, 2025

*Project description: *Health Partners, Inc. desires to replace their existing hospital located in the south-central part of Stillwater, MN. The existing hospital is ageing, no longer meets the needs of today's health care services, is limited to local roadway access and is located within a residential area. A new 400,000 square foot hospital and medical office campus is proposed in a commercial area with better access to TH 36, Manning Avenue (CR 15) and Stillwater Blvd. (CR 5). The 64-acre site is located on the northeast corner of TH 36 and Manning Avenue. The new hospital will include 85 inpatient beds, 20 observation beds, and 11 emergency room beds. Plans are to initiate construction in Spring 2025 with completion in Summer 2027.
Lakeview Replacement Hospital and Medical Campus project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Stillwater City Hall, 216 4th Street North, Stillwater,
MN 55082

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Stillwater, Ben Gutknecht <[email protected]>,
651-430-8818

 

Project Skyway [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Pine Island; Goodhue
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *Ryan Companies US, Inc. is preparing an AUAR for an approximate 482-acre area in the City of Pine Island and Pine Island Township, Goodhue County, Minnesota. The AUAR area is bounded by 490th Street to the north, Trunk Highway (TH) 52 to the west and south, and 195th Avenue to the east. Development scenarios include a Mixed Technology Center/ Light Industrial Scenario (Scenario A) and Technology Center Scenario (Scenario B).
Project Skyway project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Pine Island City Hall, 250 South Main Street, Pine Island, MN 55963

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Pine Island, Elizabeth Howard <[email protected]>,
507-356-4591

 

General notices

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

 

*Notice Of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meetings *- North Star Storage project

*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and the Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings on North Star Energy Storage, LLC's (an affiliate of DESRI Renewables, L.L.C.) (North Star Energy) application for a site permit for its proposed 80-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility to be located in Section 36 of North Branch Township, Chisago County, Minnesota.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *May 28, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Lent Town Hall,
33155 Hemingway Avenue, Stacy, MN 55079
*First public meeting additional details:* Written comments will be accepted through
June 13, 2025, 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. Topics for Comment: What potential human and environmental impacts or unique characteristics of the proposed project should be considered in the environmental assessment? Are there any methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project that should be considered in the environmental assessment?
Link to submit comments online [ [link removed] ]
Email: [email protected]
U.S. Mail:
Sam Weaver
Minnesota Department of Commerce
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *May 29, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:
*Webinar Number: 2492 987 9168
Webinar Password: vbGbZGXM346
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 82429496
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] ]

*Link to additional information: *North Star Storage project additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Scott Ek <[email protected]>, 651-539-1070

 

*Responsible Governmental Unit Request for Re-designation - Elm Island RV Park*

*Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) Re-designation: *On April 30, 2025, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) received a petition for the Elm Island RV Park project in Nordlund Township, Aitkin County. The EQB designated Aitkin County as the Responsible Governmental Unit using selection procedures found in Minn. Rules 4410.0500.

On May 5, 2025, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) received an email request from the petitioner’s representative requesting the EQB replace Aitkin County as the RGU for Elm Island RV Park project with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

*Recommendation: *The EQB Chair’s preliminary recommendation is to deny the re-designation. Under Minn. Rule 4410.4300, subp. 20a: "Resorts, campgrounds, and RV parks in shorelands.", the local governmental unit is the RGU. Aitkin County is the governmental unit with the greatest responsibility for approving the project as a whole and issuing the permits for the project. A re-designation can be appropriate if another governmental unit has greater expertise, but there was not enough evidence presented to re-designate the RGU and Aitkin County has experience in reviewing these projects.

*Next Steps: *A denial of re-designation of the RGU for the Elm Island RV Park will be made by the EQB chair on May 28, 2025, unless any Board member, on behalf of the public, requests a full review by the Board. A member of the public may contact any Board member to make a request for full Board review on their behalf. Here is a link to contact information for EQB Board members [ [link removed] ].

 

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*



5/7/2025



Waseca



Waseca



Clear Lake



n/a, n/a



unknown



5/10/2025



Albert Lea



Freeborn



Fountain Lake



Bullheads



100's



5/12/2025



Long Lake



Watonwan



Long Lake



Black bullheads



thousands



 

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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