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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 12                                                                                          March 24, 2026

Announcements

*Environmental Review 101: Minnesota Conservation Explorer & Natural Heritage Review*

Join EQB staff and Jim Drake, Natural Heritage Review Specialist at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a webinar on using the Minnesota Conservation Explorer [ [link removed] ] (MCE) to address EAW Question 14. This session will cover the data available in the MCE, its use in conservation planning and environmental review, and step-by-step guidance for requesting natural heritage review documentation.

*Date:* Tuesday, March 31
*Time:* 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Register on Teams [ [link removed] ]

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

 

Election of Chair and Vice Chair for ERIS

At the March 18 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting, ERIS re-elected EQB member Commissioner Sarah Strommen as Chair and elected EQB member Angie Smith as Vice Chair, to serve until the first ERIS meeting in 2027.











Swan landing on icy water by a Mallard duck




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] ].

 

Owatonna Public Safety Facilities

*Location: *Owatonna, Steele County
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) need decision

*Responsible governmental unit decision:* EAW not required
*Responsible governmental unit decision date: *March 17, 2026

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Owatonna, Jenna Tuma <Jenna%20L.%20Tuma%20%[email protected]%3e>,
507-774-7361

 

Rockwell RV and Adventure Park [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lime Township; Blue Earth
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *April 23, 2026

*Project description: *The Rockwell RV and Adventure Park will include campsites, a check-in office, multiple entrances, parking, bike trail facilities, restrooms, a maintenance building, and a service road. Additional amenities include a rental/snack shack, bike trails, an aquatic park, a water cable park, restrooms, and swimming areas.
Rockwell RV and Adventure Park project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Locations of public documents:* 
Mankato Regional Airport, 3030 N Airport Road, Mankato, MN 56001
Blue Earth County Library, 100 E Main Street, Mankato, MN 56001

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Lime Township, Jill Hilgers <[email protected]>, 507-995-9666

 

Timm’s Marina Dock Addition [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Forest Lake; Washington
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *March 9, 2026

*Project description: *Timm's Marina proposes to add two new non-permanent slip docks to the existing marina in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The new docks would provide an additional 72 boat slips on Forest Lake and increase the size of on-water marina operations by approximately 1.48 acres (including boat slips, docks, and boat navigation areas).
Timm’s Marina Dock Addition project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City of Forest Lake - City Hall, 1408 Lake Street South,
Forest Lake, MN 55025

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Forest Lake, Steven Gilmore <[email protected]>,
651-209-9724

 

Turtle, Connection, Cross Lakes Flood Damage Reduction Project [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered) 
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *March 13, 2026

*Project description: *The Red Lake Watershed District is developing the Turtle Connection Cross Lakes Project (Project) designed for Flood Damage Reduction, improved fish passage, and establishing preferred normal lake levels. The Project will change lake levels during agreed upon times of the year and allow for seasonal lake level adjustments based upon an approved operating plan.
Turtle, Connection, Cross Lakes Flood Damage Reduction Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Red Lake Watershed District, 1000 Pennington Ave S,
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Red Lake Watershed District,
Tammy Audette <[email protected]>, 218-681-5800

 

Waterside Estates Development EAW [ [link removed] ]

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

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Positive (EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *March 9, 2026

*Project description: *UC-Barefoot Bay, LLC proposes to develop approximately 115 acres on 10 parcels in Fairview Township, Cass County into residential land use. The proposed project will construct 79 residential lots, 2 outlots, an amenity center, utilities, and internal road network. The amenity center will provide access to docks and boat slips, as well as beach and dock access to Gull Lake. The development will be constructed as a Conservation Development Design Planned Unit Development (PUD), following the natural topography and vegetation of the site.

*Location of public documents:* Cass County Courthouse, 303 Minnesota Ave W, Walker, MN 56484

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Cass County, Scott Wold <[email protected]>, 218-547-7256

 

Downtown Duluth Alternative Urban Areawide Review [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *April 23, 2026

*Project description: *The City of Duluth is preparing an AUAR for an approximately 335 acre area encompassing the traditional downtown, Essentia Health Medical Campus and surrounding Hillside neighborhood, as well as the proposed “Lot D” development in the Bayfront area. The purpose of this AUAR is to prepare for infill or redevelopment of key sites within this broader area. Two development scenarios will be evaluated as part of the AUAR which include an existing conditions scenario and a maximum mixed use (commercial and residential) redevelopment scenario consistent with the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan.
Downtown Duluth Alternative Urban Areawide Review project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Duluth City Hall, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802

*Public meeting date, time, location: *April 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m., Duluth City Hall,
411 West First Street, Council Chambers, Duluth, MN 55802

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Duluth, Jason Mozol <[email protected]>, 218-730-5331

 

Iron Range - St. Louis County - Arrowhead 345kV Transmission Line Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Floodwood, Itasca, St. Louis
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period:* April 23, 2026

*Notice title: *Notice of Complete Application and Rescheduled Public Information and Scoping Meetings
*Notice description: *The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) has rescheduled the public information and scoping meetings on the route permit application for the Iron Range – St. Louis County – Arrowhead 345 kilovolt (kV) Transmission Project. The purpose of the public meetings is to provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, and to accept public comments. Public comments will help determine the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment included in the application, the need for special permit conditions, and the scope of an Environmental Report to be prepared by Commission staff. Alternative meeting dates and times are provided in the notice in the case of cancellations due to inclement weather. To find out if a meeting is canceled, call (toll-free) 1-855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213, or visit mn.gov/puc. PUC Docket Numbers: E015/CN-25-111 and E015/TL-25-112.

*Project description: *Minnesota Power and American Transmission Company, LLC propose to construct approximately 67.5 miles of transmission line from Minnesota Power's Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Minnesota Power's St. Louis County Substation near Hermantown, Minnesota, with a connection to American Transmission Company's nearby Arrowhead Substation along portions of Itasca and St. Louis Counties. The route proposed is located along, and in some cases replaces, existing high-voltage transmission lines for 92 percent of its length. New transmission lines will be required to connect the existing substations in Grand Rapids and Hermantown. Existing substations would also require expansions.
Iron Range - St. Louis County - Arrowhead 345kV Transmission Line Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place E Saint Paul, MN 55101

*First public meeting date, time, location: *April 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Timberlake Lodge,
144 SE 17th Street, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744
*First public meeting additional details:* 5:00 p.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (formal meeting)

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *April 7, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Downtown Fair Center, 107 W. 7th Ave, Floodwood, MN 55736
*Second public meeting additional details:* 11:00 a.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour) 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (formal meeting)

*Third public meeting date, time, location: *April 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., AAD Shrine Meeting and Event Center, 5152 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, MN 55811
*Third public meeting additional details:* 5:00 p.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (formal meeting)

*Fourth public meeting date, time, location: *April 9, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Fourth public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Fourth public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2497 664 7260
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Access Code: 2497 664 7260

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Emily Johnson <[email protected]>, 651-539-1023

 

Summit Lake Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Reading, Nobles
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of comment period: *April 20, 2026

*Notice title: *Summit Lake Project- NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND AVAILABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
*Notice description: *Please take notice that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the joint site permit application of Summit Lake Solar, LLC and Summit Lake Storage, LLC (together Summit Lake, or applicants) for the proposed Summit Lake Project (project). The proposed project will include a solar energy generation system with up to 200 megawatts (MW) of nameplate capacity and a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) with up to 200 megawatts (MW)/800 megawatt-hour (MWh) of nameplate capacity. The project is proposed to be constructed on approximately 1,416 acres in Elk and Summit Lake townships in Nobles County. The Project’s components include, but are not limited to, solar modules, a tracking system, inverters, fencing, access roads, an electrical collection system, lighting, a substation, a 992-foot 345 kilovolt transmission line, a BESS, an operation and maintenance building, and a parking area.

*Project description: *Summit Lake Solar proposes to construct and operate an up to 200 MW solar energy generating facility and a 200 MW BESS in Nobles County, Minnesota. The project will occupy approximately 1,990 acres, 1,482 acres of which will be occupied by the solar panels and associated infrastructure. The project will use photovoltaic solar panels mounted on single axis tracking systems. Collection cables will gather and send the electric power generated by the solar panels to a project substation. The project substation will interconnect with the electrical grid through the existing Nobles substation via a new, short (<1,500 ft) overhead generation intertie transmission line. The project will also utilize a BESS in tandem with solar energy generation to provide power when it is most advantageous.
Summit Lake Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East Saint Paul, MN 55101

*First public meeting date, time, location: *April 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Worthington Event Center, 1477 Prairie Drive, Worthington, MN 56187
*First public meeting additional details:* If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these hearings, please contact the Commission at 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 at least one week in PUC Docket Number: IP-7153/GS-25-89 and IP-7153/ESS-25-88 OAH Docket Number: 21-2500-41031 Page 2 advance of the meeting. To find out if a hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *April 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2480 899 6709
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone or video system)
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.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Department of Commerce, 
Sam Weaver <[email protected]>, 651-539-1531

 

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

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 651-757-2873

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