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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 23                                                                                              June 10, 2025






Announcements

*Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee meeting*

*Wednesday, June 18, 1 – 4 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the June 2025 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting. The subcommittee will hear an update on the Energy Infrastructure Rulemaking draft. They will also hear about the proposed Environmental Review Program FY25 Workplan and an update on petition guidance. More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the ERIS meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

*Climate Calculator overview trainings in June*

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 training sessions in June to help users familiarize themselves with this new resource and help troubleshoot any issues that might arise. Join us at either of the sessions listed below to learn more and see a live demonstration of the calculator.

*June 11, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
**Join online **meeting* [ [link removed] ]
Meeting ID: 253 875 920 704 3
Passcode: zY6FE36g
Or dial in by phone: 1-571-348-5774
Phone conference ID: 873 672 904#

*June 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
**Join online meeting* [ [link removed] ] 
Meeting ID: 233 399 970 452 3
Passcode: ym3Sw7Lx
Or dial in by phone: 1-571-348-5774
Phone conference ID: 542 899 241#

If you are unable to attend these sessions but still want to learn about the calculator, more training opportunities will be available 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].






Golden Thunderstorm Clouds on Horizon Over Northern Minnesota Lake at Sunset




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] ].

 

*Valley Paving Asphalt Plant*

*Location:* Henderson Township, Sibley County
*Process:* Petition
*Step:* Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) need decision

*Responsible government unit decision:* EAW not required
*Responsible government unit decision date*: June 2, 2025

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* Sibley County Zoning, Geoff Beranek <[email protected]>,
507-237-4091

 

Litchfield AD1 [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Forest City; Meeker
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *July 10, 2025

*Project description: *Vanguard Organics, LLC (Vanguard) proposes construction and operation of the Litchfield AD1 Facility (Project) which would include two anaerobic digesters, storage buildings, and other necessary infrastructure within a lease area on the Wagner Dairy Farm, northeast of the intersection of 650th Avenue and 288th Street in Forest City Township, Minnesota. The goal of the Project is to take both manure from the Wagner Dairy Farm and food waste from other sources and convert these organic wastes into renewable natural gas, organic fertilizer, and bio-solids for animal bedding.

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, Saint Paul, MN 55155

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Audrey Maass <[email protected]>, 218-302-6686

 

South Shores on Lake Pulaski [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Buffalo; Wright
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *July 10, 2025

*Project description: *This 210.1-acre housing project features a phased development plan, commencing in 2025 with a total of 303 single family housing units and 608 attached housing units. The project also includes a 10.2-acre natural park, new infrastructure, storm ponds, wetlands, and recreational enhancements, transforming farmland and grassland into a diverse residential community over a five-year period.
South Shores on Lake Pulaski project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Buffalo City Center, 212 Central Avenue, Buffalo,
MN 55313

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Buffalo, David Kelly <[email protected]>, 763-682-1181

 

800 53rd Avenue NE - Redevelopment to High Density residential [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Columbia Heights; Anoka
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *July 10, 2025

*Project description: *Lincoln Avenue Communities proposes to redevelop the former Medtronic office building and parking lot site. The proposed project includes three multi-story residential apartment buildings (443 units) with surface and underground parking; 58 townhome units; and 12,000 square feet of commercial space. The 12.5-acre site is located at 800 53rd Avenue NE.
800 53rd Avenue NE - Redevelopment to High Density residential project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Columbia Heights City Hall, 3989 Central Ave NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421

*Public meeting date, time, location: *July 1, 2025, 4:30 p.m., Online meeting
*Public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Public meeting additional details:
*Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 290 795 362 748 0
Passcode: ts3c3u32

The City of Columbia Heights will be hosting an informal virtual public meeting to receive and record comments with regard to the 800 53rd Ave NE Environmental Assessment Worksheet. This meeting will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 Tuesday July 1st. Comments can also be submitted to City staff at [email protected]. The meeting will be held via Microsoft Teams. The link can be found above, and on the City's website under the public notice page. 

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Columbia Heights, Mitchell Forney <[email protected]>, 763-706-3675

 

Asplin Ekre Pit Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Hawley Township; Clay
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 20, 2025

*Project description: *Asplin Inc. proposes to expand the existing, approximately 56.1 acre, Ekre Pit in Hawley Township, Clay County, Minnesota. The approximately 48.1-acre expansion Project would provide for mining, storage, and distribution of sand, rock, and gravel aggregate. The proposed expansion would extend the current 20-year mine life by approximately 10-20 years.

*Location of public documents:* Clay County Planning & Zoning, 3510 12th Avenue South, Moorhead, MN 56560

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Clay County, Matt Jacobson <[email protected]>, 218-299-7330

 

North Mankato Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *North Mankato; Nicollet
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of comment period: *June 25, 2025

*Project description: *The North Mankato Industrial AUAR study area encompasses an area of approximately 678 acres on 16 parcels within Nicollet County, Minnesota. Project Deacon, LLC is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to technology park or office/warehouse use. Two scenarios, Scenarios 1 and 2, are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 4 million square feet of proposed technology park development. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 4 million square feet of proposed office/warehouse development. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to begin in 2025.
North Mankato Industrial AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* North Mankato City Hall, 1001 Belgrade Ave, 
North Mankato, MN 56003

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of North Mankato, Mike Fischer <[email protected]>,
507-625-4141

 

General notices

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

 

Notice of Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting (ESS-24-406/407) - Crane and Sandhill Energy Storage  

*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings for the Crane and Sandhill (Applicant) applications for site permits to construct and operate respective up to 200-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) battery energy storage systems (BESS) and associated facilities (BESS Facilities). The Crane and Sandhill Energy Storage Projects will each have a standalone up to 200-megawatt (MW)/800-megawatt hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The Point of Interconnection (POI) for the projects would be the Southwest Minnesota Municipal power Agency's Byron Substation via an approximately 700-foot 161-kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The Applicant intends to charge its battery with energy from the grid via the POI, store the energy in the BESS, and later provide energy back to the grid using the same POI.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *June 25, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Byron City Hall,
680 Byron Main Ct NE, Byron, MN 55920
**First 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 the public with an opportunity to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. 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 meeting 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 information call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *June 26, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**Second public* meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
**Second public* meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2496 733 9988
Webinar Password: sandhill2025 (72634455 when dialing from a phone or video system) Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2496 733 9988
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: *Crane and Sandhill Energy Storage additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux <[email protected]>, 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 [ [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*



5/29/2025



Chisago City



Chisago



Chisago Lake



Bluegill, Crappie



30



5/31/2025



Hopkins



Hennepin



Shady Oak Lake



Sunfish



50



 

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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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