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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 21                                                                                              May 26, 2026






Aerial view of Minnesota North shore of Lake Superior, beautiful shoreline and cliffs with waterfall




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] ].

 

Olson Mine

*Location: *Houston Township, Houston
*Process: *Petition
*Step: *Responsible governmental unit assigned

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Houston County, Amelia Meiners <[email protected]%20%[email protected]%3e>,
507-725-5800

 

Kohnen Property [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *St. Michael; Wright
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 12, 2026

*Project description: *The Kohnen project is a proposed low-density residential development consisting of approximately 364 single-family homes on a 149.6 acre existing agricultural field in St. Michael, Wright County, Minnesota. It is located in the southeast quadrant of 15th St NE and Kadler Ave NE and will include a new internal roadway network, stormwater features, and the installation of municipal sanitary sewer and water utilities.
Kohnen Property project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

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

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

 

Mississippi River Learning Center [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Saint Paul; Ramsey
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 8, 2026

*Project description: *The City of Saint Paul is proposing to construct the Mississippi River Learning Center, which would include a multi-use, river-focused space with the Welcome Station atop the bluff along Shepard Road next to Crosby Farm Regional Park. The center would provide year-round environmental learning opportunities and outdoor recreation experiences. The project is located within the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Mississippi River Learning Center project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development, 25 W. 4th Street, Suite 1400, Saint Paul, MN 55102

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Saint Paul, Joshua Williams <[email protected]>,
651-266-6659

 

Rockwell RV and Adventure Park [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lime Township; Blue Earth
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 12, 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] ]

*Location of public documents:* Mankato Regional Airport, 3030 N Airport Road, Mankato, MN 56001

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

 

Vermillion Reserve [ [link removed] ]

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

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 18, 2026

*Project description: *Vermillion Reserve is a proposed residential development in Eureka Township, Minnesota of up to 370 single-family detached residential units on approximately 158.3 acres that is currently in agricultural use. The proposed project will also include extension of sanitary sewer and watermain to serve the site, roadway improvements, and stormwater management. The proposed project would be phased over the next several years. The City of Farmington adopted an ordinance permitting the annexation of the project site by ordinance. Certified copies of the ordinance have been filed and an administrative law judge is in the process of reviewing the annexation petition and ordinance.
Vermillion Reserve project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City Hall, 430 Third Street, Farmington, MN 55024

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Farmington, Tony Wippler <[email protected]>,
651-280-6822

 

Updated Hermantown Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

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

*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.
Updated Hermantown Industrial AUAR project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Hermantown City Hall, 51005 Maple Grove Road,
Hermantown, MN 55811

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

 

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

*Location (city/township; county): *Duluth; St. Louis
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): *June 9, 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

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

 

Summerfield [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Carver; Carver
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): *June 9, 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, 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: *AUAR adoption

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *May 18, 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 Hall, 11800 Town Center Drive NE, St. Michael,
MN 55376

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

 

General notices

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

 

MN Dept. of Agriculture: Notification of Release of Genetically Engineered Organisms

*Notice description: *The University of Minnesota filed a Notification (MDA no. NO2634) with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture for the release of a genetically engineered Soybean pending USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services approval (App. no. AUTH - 0000541880). Target counties for release: Ramsey County 1.3 acres. Project categories: Agronomic Properties, Fungal Resistance, Marker Gene, Other, Product Quality, Virus Resistance. 

*Contact: *Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Michael Merriman <[email protected]>, 612-508-8270

 

Notice of Permit Decision

*Notice description: *In the Matter of the Application of North Star Energy Storage, LLC for an up to 100-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System Site Permit for the North Star Storage Project in Chisago County, Minnesota; PUC Docket No. IP-7155/ESS-25-123. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in an order issued on March 12, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: (1) found that the environmental assessment and the record created at the public hearing addressed the issues identified in the scoping decision; and (2) granted a site permit to North Star Energy Storage, LLC for the up to 100-megawatt North Star Battery Energy Storage System Project in Chisago County, Minnesota.

*Link to additional information: *North Star Storage project additional information [ [link removed] ]

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

 

Notice of Permit Decision

*Notice description: *In the Matter of the Joint Application of Minnesota Power for a Site and Route Permit for the 85-megawatt Boswell Solar Project and Associated 2.45-mile, 230-kilovolt Transmission Line in Itasca County, Minnesota; PUC Docket Nos. E-015/GS-24-425 and E-015/TL-24-426. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in an order issued on January 28, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: (1) found that the environmental assessment and the record created at the public hearing addressed the issues identified in the scoping decision; and (2) granted a site permit and a route permit to Minnesota Power for the up to 85-megawatt Boswell Solar Energy Generating System and the associated 2.45-mile 230-kilovolt transmission line, respectively, in Itasca County, Minnesota.

*Link to additional information: *Boswell Solar project additional information [ [link removed] ]

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

 

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*



5/18/2026



Burnsville



Dakota



Alimagnet Lake



Crappies, Sunfish



80



5/18/2026



Minneapolis



Hennepin



hidden ponds



Carp,
Pumpkinseed



35



5/18/2026



Minneapolis



Hennepin



hidden ponds



Carp,
Pumpkinseed



35



5/18/2026



St. James



Watonwan



Long Lake



Bullheads



Thousands



5/18/2026



Rochester



Olmsted



Silver Creek



 



30



5/18/2026



Northfield



Rice



man made pond on a golf course



Bluegill



50



 

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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