New_EQB_Logo




EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 14                                                                                               April 7, 2026 






Announcements

*Environmental Quality Board meeting *

*Wednesday, April 15, 1 – 4:00 p.m.
*Join us for the April 2026 Environmental Quality Board meeting. At this meeting, the board will hear a Spring pollinator report update and hear an update on gas production rulemaking before voting on approval.

More information can be found on the board meeting webpage [ [link removed] ], including the meeting packet and details on attending the meeting virtually or in person.

 

*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, April 21
*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.

(This is rescheduled from the 3/31/26 canceled webinar of the same title)

* *

*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.  * 

 






Kawishiwi Falls, Superior National Forest, Ely,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] ].

 

*West River Dairy Expansion* [ [link removed] ]

*MPCA is extending the comment period for this Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) to May 7, 2026. MPCA will host a public informational meeting regarding the EAW and the proposed feedlot permit for the proposed West River Dairy Expansion. Meeting details will be provided when available.

*Location (city/township; county): *Morris; Stevens
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *May 7, 2026

*Project description: *Riverview, LLP proposes to expand the existing West River Dairy 7,855-cow (10,997 AU) facility by adding an 11,000-cow dairy (15,400 AU) facility in Section 1 of Synnes Township, Stevens County. Cows will be housed in a cross-ventilated, total-confinement, free-stall barn and will use clay-lined basins with impermeable covers to collect and store manure and wastewater. Liquid manure will be land applied as fertilizer on cropland.

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

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Charles Peterson <[email protected]>, 651-757-2856

 

Annandale-Maple Lake-Howard Lake-Montrose-Waverly Wastewater Treatment Facility [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Albion Township; Wright
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *May 7, 2026

*Project description: *Annandale-Maple Lake-Howard Lake Wastewater Commission (AMHWC) plans to regionalize the Annandale-Maple Lake-Howard Lake wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) (Facility) with the Montrose WWTF (Project). This Project will provide expanded treatment capacity for municipal wastewater. Improvements include expansion of aeration basins, construction of a blower building, and construction of a new stormwater pond. The Project will expand the existing average wet weather design flow (AWWDF) from 1.184 million gallons per day (mgd) to 2.49 mgd. The regional Facility will be at 1759 Country Road 7 NW, Maple Lake, MN 55358 (Site).
Annandale-Maple Lake-Howard Lake-Montrose-Waverly Wastewater Treatment Facility project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*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

 

Milestone Materials - Highland Quarry [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Highland; Wabasha
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *May 7, 2026

*Project description: *The proposed Highland Quarry would be a limestone quarry providing quality aggregate products to the Wabasha County and southeast Minnesota area. The aggregate products produced at this site would be primarily used in road construction for base course, surfacing, and hot mix asphalt and concrete production. Additional quarry products include rip rap, erosion control stone, landscape stone, and other products.

*Location of public documents:* Planning & Zoning Office in the Courthouse Annex Building, 625 Jefferson Avenue, Wabasha, MN 55981

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Wabasha County, Joe Kaltenbach <[email protected]>,
651-565-3062

 

Summerfield [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Carver; Carver
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft AUAR
*End of comment period: *May 7, 2026

*Project description: *Southwest growth area in Carver - 1,500 acres with the potential for 5,075-6,075 residential units.
Summerfield project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Carver City Hall, 316 Broadway St, Carver, MN 55315

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Carver, Erin Smith <[email protected]>, 952-448-8743

 

Lake Wilhelm North [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *St. Michael; Wright
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): *April 21, 2026

*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.
Lake Wilhelm North project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

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

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

 

Big Bend Wind 161 kV Transmission Line Project Public Hearings; Docket# IP-7013/TL-25-389 [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Trimont, Martin
*Process: *Alternative review
*End of public comment period:* April 20, 2026

*Notice title: *Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Draft Permit
*Notice description: *In the Matter of the Application of Big Bend Wind, LLC and Great River Energy for a Route Permit for a 161 kV High Voltage Transmission Line and Associated Facilities in Martin County, Minnesota PUC Docket Number: IP-7013/TL-25-389; CAH Docket Number: 22-2500-41594. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the application of Big Bend Wind, LLC and Great River Energy (Applicants) for a 161 kV high voltage transmission line and associated facilities (Extension Project) in Martin County, Minnesota.

*Project description: *The Applicants propose to construct a new 4.5-mile 161 kilovolt (kV) single-circuit transmission line and associated facilities, including new substations, to connect the Big Bend Wind Project to GRE's Lakefield Generating Substation in Martin County (map attached). The Applicants request generally a route width of 200 to 635 feet, with up to 1,731 feet on GRE-owned property. The Extension Project is needed to interconnect Big Bend Wind's approximately 311.1 MW wind project and associated facilities in portions of Cottonwood, Watonwan, and Martin counties to the transmission grid. The Commission issued Big Bend Wind a site permit for the wind project in September 2022, extended the site permit in December 2024, and amended the site permit in February 2026. You may find information on the project on the Commission's project webpage. [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Windom Public Library, 904 4th Ave Windom, MN 56101

*First public meeting date, time, location: *April 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Windom Community Center, 1750 Cottonwood Lake Dr., Windom, MN 56101
*First public meeting additional details:* The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Christa Moseng, an administrative law judge from the Court of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a summary of the public comments received. 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 route 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 route 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. Topics for Comment - Should the Commission grant a route permit for the proposed 161 kV Transmission Line Project? If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the route permit? Written comments will be accepted through April 20, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket numbers. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission. Comments will be made available to the public via the Commission's website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Commission does not edit or delete personal identifying information from submissions.

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *April 8, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**Second *public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
**Second *public meeting additional details:* Webinar Number: 2494 731 3515
Webinar Password: MNPUC
(66782 when dialing from a phone or video system) Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2494 731 3515
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 the Commission's meetings webpage. [ [link removed] ] The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Christa Moseng, an administrative law judge from the Court of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a summary of the public comments received.

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 route 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 route permit. Topics for Comment - Should the Commission grant a route permit for the proposed 161 kV Transmission Line Project? If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the route permit? Written comments will be accepted through April 20, 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.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Cezar Panait <[email protected]>, 651‐201‐2207
*
*

 

Benton Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project in Benton County [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Minden Township, Benton
*Process: *Alternative review

*Notice title: *Notice of Final Permit Decision
*Notice description: *On January 28, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issued tree permits in the following dockets: IP-7115/GS-23-423, IP-7115/ESS-24-283, IP-7115/TL-23-425. In the Matter of the Application of Benton Solar, LLC for a Site Permit for the 100 MW Solar Energy Generating System for the Benton Solar Project in Benton County, Minnesota. In the Matter of the Application of Benton Solar, LLC for a Site Permit for the 100 MW Battery Energy Storage System for the Benton Solar Project in Benton County, Minnesota. In the Matter of the Application of Benton Solar, LLC for a Route Permit for a 115 kV High Voltage Transmission Line Associated with the Benton Solar Project in Benton County, Minnesota.

*Project description: *Benton Solar, LLC (a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC), proposed to build a 100-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) solar energy generating system, a 100 MW battery energy storage system, and a 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line project. The proposed project footprint includes approximately 632 acres of private land on a 951.4-acre project site located 4.0 miles east of St. Cloud in Minden Township, Benton County, Minnesota. The main components of the project include, but are not limited to, solar modules and tracking systems, electrical collector lines, inverters, transformers, battery energy storage systems, a project substation, security fencing, access roads, stormwater basins, an operation and maintenance building, and weather stations. On January 28, 2026, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission issues two site permits and a route permit for the Benton Solar Project.
Benton Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project in Benton County project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

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

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Cezar Panait <[email protected]>, 651-201-2207

 

Castle Rock Solar Project in Dakota County, Minnesota [ [link removed] ]

**Location: **Castle Rock Township, Dakota*
*Process: **Alternative review*
*

**Notice title: **Notice of Final Permit Decision for Castle Rock Solar project in Dakota County, Minnesota
*Notice description:* Docket No. IP-7137/GS-24-267. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in an order issued on March 17, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: (1) Adopted the ALJ's Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommendations; (2) Adopted specific exceptions and clarifications to the ALJ Report; (3) Determined that the Environmental Assessment and the record created at the public hearings and subsequent comment period address the issues identified in the Scoping Decision; (4) and Issued the Proposed Site Permits for the Castle Rock Solar Project in Dakota County, Minnesota, with the adoption of specific permit conditions that are contained and may be referenced in the issued Order and Permit. 

*Project description:* The Project is an up to 150 megawatt solar energy generating facility to be located on approximately 1,442 acres in Castle Rock Township in Dakota County, Minnesota. The solar energy generating facility will take up 972 acres of the total land. The solar facility will consist of photovoltaic (PV) panels, trackers, inverters, transformers, access roads, security fencing, electric collection lines and communication lines, a project substation, switchyard, and associated interconnection facilities, conduit, metering, and switchgear, an operations and maintenance building, weather stations, a stormwater management system, and laydown yards. The solar facilities will be connected to the project substation via 34.6 kilovolt (KV) electric collection lines. A short aboveground 345 kV transmission line (approximately 200 ft in length) will run from the substation to the existing Xcel Energy 345 kV Chub Lake to Hampton Corners transmission line.
Castle Rock Solar Project in Dakota County, Minnesota project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Dakota County Public Library, 503 3rd Street Farmington, MN 55024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact:* Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Jacques Harvieux <[email protected]>, 651-201-2233

 

General notices

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

 

METRO Blue Line Extension LRT FHWA Notice of Decision

Notice description: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has determined that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and related federal environmental statutes, regulations, and executive orders have been satisfied for those portions of the proposed METRO Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project (Project) requiring FHWA action, and has therefore issued a Record of Decision dated March 4, 2026.

*Link to additional information:* METRO Blue Line Light Rail Transit (BLRT) additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact:* Metro Transit, Kelcie Young <[email protected]>, 612-373-3886

 

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

Facebook [ [link removed] ]   Twitter [ [link removed] ]   LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]   you tube [ [link removed] ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]



body .abe-section-table {max-width:601px !important;} body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Environmental Quality Board · 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]