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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 40                                                                                         October 7, 2025






Announcements

*Environmental Quality Board meeting*

*Wednesday, October 15, 1 – 4:00 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the October 2025 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the board will hear the annual update from the Office of Enterprise Sustainability and the first installment of presentations on the basics of data centers.

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

 

Environmental Review 101: using the submittal service

Join EQB staff for a webinar on using the "EQB Monitor" online submittal service, an essential tool in completing environmental review publishing requirements. This session will cover submittal deadlines, account set up, and step-by-step guidance for submitting notices and documents. Staff will highlight common errors and share troubleshooting tips to help users resolve issues quickly.

*Tuesday, October 21
*11 a.m. to Noon (CDT)
**Register via Teams [ [link removed] ]

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

*Environmental Review Technical Assistance Survey*

If you’ve completed an environmental review process since July 1, 2025 and submitted a notice for the Monitor, we want to hear from you! Tell us how we’re doing providing guidance and assistance by taking this short five-question survey [ [link removed] ]. Your responses are for EQB use only and will help us provide better assistance for you in the future.

 






Eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus in Minnesota.




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] ].

 

Reno Bottoms Floodplain Forest and Backwater Restoration EAW [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Jefferson Township; Houston
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *November 6, 2025

*Project description: *The project includes dredging accumulated sediments from an approximately 5 acre area of a backwater in Upper Pool 9 of the Mississippi River to create deep lentic aquatic habitat for fishes. Dredged material will be used to increase land elevation in ~5 acres of floodplain to facilitate the re-establishment of forest killed by flooding and changing hydrology to restore floodplain forest and promote natural regeneration.
Reno Bottoms Floodplain Forest and Backwater Restoration EAW project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Rochester Public Library, 101 Second Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904

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

 

East Central Solid Waste Commission Sanitary Landfill (SW-17) Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Mora; Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS Scoping EAW and Draft Scoping Decision
*End of comment period: *November 6, 2025

*Project description: *The East Central Solid Waste Commission Sanitary Landfill is an existing municipal solid waste, construction and demolition waste, and industrial waste landfill is applying for a 10-year permit to add 1.7 million cy of MSW capacity for continued filling of Phases 7A through 8A while conducting environmental review for the unpermitted portions of Phase 7A through Phase 9.

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

*Public meeting date, time, location: *October 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Kanabec County Courthouse, 317 Maple Avenue East, Mora, MN 55051
*Public meeting additional details:* Located in the meeting room.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Megen Kabele <[email protected]>, 651-757-2044

 

Fields of Andover AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Andover; Anoka
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *The AUAR study area includes 30 parcels that comprise approximately 808.2 acres in Andover, Anoka County, Minnesota. The study area is undeveloped and has historically been in agricultural use including vegetable fields and sod farming. Artemis Development Company is proposing to phase development of the study area to convert the existing farmland into a master planned residential and commercial development over the next decade. Scenario 1 proposes uses that are consistent with the Andover 2040 Comprehensive Plan which guides the entire study area for one residential unit per 10 acres for a total of approximately 80 residential units. Scenario 2 generally reflects the developer's concept plan that includes a mix of residential uses and approximately 30 acres of commercial land to be served by municipal services.
Fields of Andover AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City of Andover - City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Blvd NW,
Andover, MN 55304

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Andover, Joe Janish <[email protected]>, 763-767-5140

 

Henry Area 2025 AUAR Update - Rogers, MN [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rogers; Hennepin
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *September 23, 2025

*Project description: *An update to the Alternative Urban Areawide Review for an approximately 135 acre area in the west central area of the city. The update corresponds to an original AUAR approved on June 24, 2014, which was subsequently updated on 2020. The proposed update reflects updated conditions and is being updated in advance of potential light industrial development. The update is pursuant to MN Rules 4410.3610 Subp. 7 which requires the document be updated every five years.
Henry Area 2025 AUAR Update - Rogers, MN project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Rogers City Hall, 22350 S Diamond Lake Rd, Rogers,
MN 55374

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rogers, Brett Angell <[email protected]>, 763-494-0915

 

General notices

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

 

Notice of Intent to Adopt Expedited Permanent Rules Without a Public Hearing

Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Environmental Review and Energy Infrastructure, "Minnesota Rules", Chapter 4410.

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) published a notice in the October, 6 2025, "Minnesota State Register [ [link removed] ]", and is requesting comment on the proposed amendments to the rules related to environmental review of energy projects. Comments are due by 4:30 pm on November 14, 2025. The notice is available on the EQB rulemaking webpage. [ [link removed] ]

The proposed rule amendments address legislative changes. They update the environmental review process for large energy infrastructure facility projects, make necessary changes to Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) assignments, publishing requirements, definitions, and mandatory category rules authorized under Minnesota Rules, ch. 4410. The EQB must use the expedited rulemaking process authorized under Minnesota Statutes, 116D.04, subd. 5a., to reflect the changes made in Minn. Law 2024, Ch. 126, Art. 7 and Art. 9, Sec. 2 and 17.

More information about this rule including a justification memo and how to comment is available on the EQB’s rulemaking website. Comments must be submitted to the Court of Administrative Hearings and are preferred via their Rulemaking eComments website [ [link removed] ].

 

Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of EA Castle Rock Solar
Project

*Notice description: *PUC Docket #: IP-7137/GS-24-267 CAH Docket #: 65-2500-40800 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Castle Rock Solar LLC's (Castle Rock Solar) application for a site permit to construct an up to 150-megawatt (MW) solar energy generating system in Castle Rock Township in Dakota County, Minnesota. The Commission will issue an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on October 10, 2025. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, offer possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluate alternatives contained in the scoping decision. The EA is available for review and download on the Commission's eDocket System. Print copies of the EA are available from the Commission upon request; please contact Lauren Agnew at [email protected] or 651-539-1838.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *October 22, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Empire Public Works Building, 2577 Vermillion River Trail, Farmington, MN 55024
*First public meeting additional details:* Link to location directions [ [link removed] ]
The hearing ends when all persons present have had an opportunity to comment or at 10:00 p.m., whichever occurs first. Therefore, it is important to arrive at the start of the hearing to ensure participation. 
The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Ann O'Reilly, an administrative law judge with the Court of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations. 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 present 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. Accordingly, it is recommended that all interested persons arrive at the scheduled start time. 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: *October 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:* The hearing ends when all persons present have had an opportunity to comment or at 10:00 p.m., whichever occurs first. Therefore, it is important to arrive at the start of the hearing to ensure participation.
Webinar Number: 2492 116 8800
Webinar Password: Castle2025 (22785321 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2492 116 8800
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 function to send a message to the meeting moderator indicating your desire to speak. When it is your turn to speak, you will be unmuted and able to turn on your camera, if you choose to appear on camera. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *3 to indicate your desire to speak. 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 the PUC virtual meeting webpage. [ [link removed] ]

*Link to additional information: *Castle Rock Solar 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*



9/24/2025



Kenyon



Goodhue



Zumbro River



Sucker Fish



100



9/24/2025



Kenyon



Goodhue



Zumbro River



Creek Chubs



Not quantified



9/25/2025



Silver Lake



McLeod



Swan Lake



Walleye



Not quantified



 

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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