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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 45                                                                                   November 12, 2025






Announcements

*Environmental Quality Board meeting*

*Wednesday, November 19, 1 – 4:00 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the November 2025 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the board will hear an overview and vote to accept the 2025 Annual Pollinator Report and will vote to approve an update on Continuous Improvement for the Environmental Review Program. The board will also hear the second installment of presentations on the basics of data centers, focusing on water.

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






Two mallard ducks on a water in dark pond with floating autumn leaves, top view.




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] ].

 

Fischer Pit Expansion

*Location: *Vermillion Township, Dakota County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Vermillion Township, Jeramy Ladzun <[email protected]>,
651-491-6603

 

General Waste Landfill Conversion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Keewatin; Itasca
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *December 12, 2025

*Project description: *General Waste & Recycling, LLC proposes to convert two cells of its existing landfill to accept less than 100,000 cubic yards of municipal solid waste per year. The landfill is currently permitted to accept industrial solid waste and construction and demolition debris. The Project will not increase the footprint of the existing permitted facility.

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

*Public meeting date, time, location: *November 24, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Keewatin Community Center, 215 N 1st St, Keewatin, MN 55753

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

 

Knife River - Holthaus Pit Expansion [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 21, 2025

*Project description: *Knife River is proposing an expansion to the Holthaus Pit north of Buffalo in Buffalo Township in Wright County, MN. Like the existing pit, the proposed expansion will involve excavation (mining), aggregate production (crushing), and aggregate washing. The overall project area is about 200 acres (which includes the existing pit). Of this, there is an estimated 50+ acres planned for mining expansion.

*Location of public documents:* Wright County Planning & Zoning, 3650 Braddock Ave NE, Buffalo, MN 55313

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Wright County Planning & Zoning, 
Scott Deckert <[email protected]>, 763-682-7338

 

Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project [ [link removed] ]

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

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 27, 2025

*Project description: *The Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project is a comprehensive effort to improve the ecological health of the Nine Mile Creek corridor by improving woodland and prairie habitat, repairing unstable stream embankments and eroded slopes, restoring creek meanders, replacing bridges and trails, and improving amenities in several parks.

*Location of public documents:* Bloomington Public Works, 1700 W 98th St, Bloomington, MN 55431

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Bloomington, Nick Johnson <[email protected]>,
952-563-8925

 

Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Fergus Falls; Otter Tail, Wilkin
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS Adequacy Determination

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *February 21, 2025

*Project description: *The Otter Tail to Wilkin Project consists of approximately 28.1 miles of 4-inch diameter CO2 pipeline and associated facilities in portions of Wilkin and Otter Tail counties. The Project would capture CO2 from the Green Plains Ethanol Plant near Fergus Falls and transport it to the North Dakota and Minnesota border south of Breckenridge. The Project would interconnect to a larger proposed CO2 pipeline network, referred to as the Midwest Carbon Express Project, to transport the CO2 to a sequestration area in North Dakota.
Otter Tail to Wilkin Carbon Dioxide Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place E, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Craig Janezich <[email protected]>, 651-201-2203

 

Prairie Island Nuclear Plant Fuel Storage Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Red Wing; Goodhue
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS Adequacy Determination

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *October 17, 2025

*Project description: *Northern States Power Company, d/b/a Xcel Energy proposes to construct and operate an expanded independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at PINGP to provide 20 additional years of spent fuel storage between 2033/2034 and 2053/2054. The expansion would use a welded canister dry fuel storage (DFS) system licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for both storage and transportation. The Project is proposed with the Company's intent to seek necessary federal approvals to extend the existing operating life of the two pressurized water reactors at the plant. The Project would construct up to two pads, as needed, to store a projected 34 additional DFS systems (approximately 1,200 spent fuel assemblies) within the current fence line of the ISFSI.

*Location of public documents:* Metro Square Building, 121 7th Pl E #350, St. Paul,
MN 55101

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Jenna Ness <[email protected]>, 651-539-1061

 

Lake Wilhelm North [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *St. Michael; Wright
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *The AUAR area includes one parcel that comprises approximately 137.7 acres in St. Michael, Wright County, Minnesota. The AUAR area is generally located west of Kadler Ave NE and north of Lake Wilhelm, and is bisected by Jamison Ave/17th St NE. The AUAR area has historically been used for agricultural purposes. Summergate Companies LLC (Proposer) is proposing to develop the AUAR area into a master planned residential development over the next few years. The concept plan and Development Scenario are consistent with the City's adopted comprehensive plan which guides the AUAR area for low-density residential development.

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

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

 

General notices

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

 

Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Draft Site Permit - Bent Tree North Wind Farm

*Notice description: *In the Matter of Wisconsin Power & Light Company's Site Permit Application for a Large Wind Energy Conversion System of up to 153 MW in Freeborn County, Minnesota PUC Docket Number: IP-7145/WS-24-349 CAH Docket Number: 25-2500-41066 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Wisconsin Power & Light Company's (WPL) application for a site permit for the Bent Tree North Wind Farm, a new up to 153 megawatt (MW) Large Wind Energy Conversion System in Freeborn, Hartland, and Bath townships in Freeborn County; Byron and New Richland townships in Waseca County; and Berlin Township in Steele County, Minnesota. Written comments will be accepted through December 2, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Online: [link removed]; Email: [email protected]; or U.S. Mail: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101

*First public meeting date, time, location: *November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Oak View Golf Club, 25177 665th Avenue, Alden, MN 56009
*First public meeting additional details:* 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 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 (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 at 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: *November 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m.,
Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2485 684 6861
Webinar Password: WbCUvSFH563 (92288734 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Phone Access Code: 248 568 46861
If you are joining the hearing via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the hearing, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the hearing moderator. If you are joining the hearing 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 information: *Bent Tree North Wind Farm additional information [ [link removed] ]

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

 

Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of EA - Crane & Sandhill BESS

*Notice description: *PUC Docket Number: IP-7148/ESS-24-406, IP-7149/ESS-24-407 OAH Docket Number: CAH-25-2500-40988 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings for the Crane Energy Storage LLC and Sandhill Energy Storage LLC (Applicants) 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 Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on November 10, 2025. The EA is available on the Commission's website ([link removed]) and on eDockets. Print copies of the EA are available from the Commission upon request; please contact Tessa Kothlow at [email protected] or 651-539-1069.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *December 2, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Byron City Hall,
680 Byron Main Ct. NE, Byron, MN 55920
*First public meeting additional details:* The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Megan McKenzie, an administrative law judge from the Court 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 compile the record for the Commission to consider in making a final decision on the site permit application(s). 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. Written comments will be accepted through December 16, 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 Should the Commission grant a site permit for the proposed solar energy battery energy storage system(s)? If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the site permit(s)?

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *December 3, 2025, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:*  Webinar Number: 2498 607 9506
Webinar Password: crane2025 (27263202 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2498 607 9506
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. Additional information and instructions are available at: [link removed]

*Link to additional information: *Crane & Sandhill BESS 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*



10/30/2025



Dalton



Otter Tail



Lake adjacent to their property w/ no public access



Bullheads



1,000



 

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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