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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 13                                                                                         March 31, 2026 

 

Announcements

 

Submit your ideas for improving the MN Environmental Review Program

We'd like to hear from you! Whether you've petitioned for review or served as a Responsible Governmental Unit, your perspective can help us continuously improve the way that environmental review makes usable information available to decision-makers and the public. Your idea could be anything that pertains to Minnesota's Environmental Review Program rules and procedures. This includes forms, guidance, rules, reports, data management, and more. Share your ideas through the EQB Engagement Platform [ [link removed] ].

*Feedback accepted through May 1, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.  * 

 






Black Bear, Ursus americanus, two spring cubs sleeping in a tree, taken in wild, 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] ].

 

Talon Nickel January 12, 2026 Exploratory Drilling Plan

*Location:* Aitkin and Carlton Counties
*Process:* Petition
*Step:* Petition exempt from review

Notice description: On March 24, 2026, EQB staff received notice from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (the designated responsible government unit) that the above-named project is exempt from environmental review under Minn R. 4410.4600 Subp. 2 B.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact*: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Jill Townley <[email protected]>, 651-259-5168

 

Hadley Valley Subdivision [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Haverhill Township; Olmsted
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *April 30, 2026

*Project description: *The Hadley Valley residential housing development subdivision (project) will consist of 177 detached, single-family homes and 28 multi-family duplexes, for a total of 233 residential units. Dedicated parkland areas and stormwater treatment basins are expected to be located along the southern edge of the project area.

*Location of public documents:* Development Services and Infrastructure Center,
4001 W River Parkway, Rochester, MN 55902

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler <[email protected]>,
507-328-2600

 

North Zumbro Sanitary Sewer District (NZSSD) [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Zumbrota; Goodhue
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *April 30, 2026

*Project description: *The Project involves the creation of a new regional sanitary district (Project) to serve the communities of Goodhue, Pine Island (Prairie Island Indian Community), Wanamingo, and Zumbrota with a combined population of approximately 10,460 residents as of 2026. The Project includes construction of a new wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) on the edge of the City of Zumbrota, with the site extending into Zumbrota Township, along with pump stations and conveyance lines (forcemains) to connect all four communities to the new WWTF.

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

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Doree Husnik <[email protected]>, 651‐757‐2374

 

Willow Pond Maintenance [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Roseville; Ramsey
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *April 30, 2026

*Project description: *The project would consist of dredging approximately 20,000 cubic yards of sediment from Willow Pond. Construction is anticipated to occur for a month during the winter of 2026-2027. Alternatively, if construction occurs during the summer of 2027, contractors would perform a wet dredge and utilize floating barges to remove dredged material. Dewatering may be required to expose the sediment for excavation. Stormwater infrastructure in or near the pond would be upgraded as needed.
Willow Pond Maintenance project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City of Roseville, 2660 Civic Center Dr., Roseville,
MN 55113

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Roseville, Ryan Johnson <[email protected]>,
651‐792‐7049

 

Rochester Regional Sports and Recreation Complex [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *March 16, 2026

*Project description: *The Rochester Regional Sports and Recreation Complex will transform 170 acres in Rochester, Minnesota, into a multi-phase outdoor and indoor facility with fields, courts, trails, and community spaces. Phase 1 includes turf fields and amenities; Phase 2 adds a large indoor center. Future plans support commercial and residential development.

*Location of public documents:* Development Services and Infrastructure Center,
4001 W River Parkway NW, Rochester, MN 55901

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler <[email protected]>,
507-328-2600

 

Waterside Estates Development [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Fairview Township; Cass
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS Scoping EAW and Draft Scoping Decision
*End of comment period: *April 30, 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 an 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

*Public meeting date, time, location: *April 13, 2026, 1:30 p.m., Cass County Land Department, 218 Washburn Ave, Backus, MN 56435

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

 

Updated Hermantown Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Hermantown; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft order for review
*End of comment period: *April 30, 2026

*Project description: *This AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 278 acres on 26 parcels in the City of Hermantown, St. Louis County, Minnesota. The study area is bounded to the north by Morris Thomas Road, to the east by Midway Road, and to the west by Solway Road. The southern boundary of the study area extends parallel to Saint Louis River Road, approximately 0.25 miles to the north. One development scenario is proposed to be evaluated in the AUAR. The development scenario includes multiple buildings totaling 1.8 million square feet of proposed light industrial development.

*Location of public documents:* Hermantown City Hall, 5105 Maple Grove Road,
Hermantown, MN 55811

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Hermantown, Eric Johnson <[email protected]>,
218-729-3600

 

Brooklyn Park NW Growth Area Plan [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Brooklyn Park; Hennepin
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Final order for review

*Project description: *The Study Area is located in Section 6 and 7, Township 119N, Range 21W in Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The proposed development scenario would include the development of the Study Area including residential, commercial, transit-oriented development, and biotechnology development including research, office, production, and manufacturing space. The development scenario would also include the construction of infrastructure including roads and utilities.
Brooklyn Park NW Growth Area Plan project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Brooklyn Park City Hall, 5200 85th Avenue, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Brooklyn Park, Erin McDermott <[email protected]>,
763-493-8082

 

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*



3/21/2026



Monticello



Wright



Mississippi River



Bullheads, Carp, Smallmouth bass, Sucker fish



40



 

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

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