July 28, 2026



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*Minnesota DNR News
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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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July 28, 2026




*For more information: *

Contact the DNR Information Center by email  <[email protected]>or call 888-646-6367.





In This Issue

* Minnesota DNR launches new online tools for updated State Wildlife Action Plan [ #link_1491411839600 ]
* Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed Cedar Lake Manoomin Restoration Project [ #link_1491411977526 ]
* Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for the Mile Post 7 west ridge railroad relocation, dam progressions and stream mitigation project [ #link_1491412003165 ]

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Minnesota DNR launches new online tools for updated State Wildlife Action Plan

Online resources include new data viewer

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has launched new web resources for “Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan 2025–2035: Conserving Habitats and Biodiversity.” The plan guides, facilitates and inspires conservation actions for a diversity of wildlife and plants, with a focus on at-risk species and their habitats.

The new resources for engaging with the plan are now available on the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/eco/mnwap/index.html). In addition to easy-to-navigate chapters, a new interactive data viewer and maps help users explore topics of interest, such as species and habitat.

“This Wildlife Action Plan is a roadmap and invitation for all Minnesotans to participate in the protection, restoration and recovery of our state's most vulnerable wildlife and their vital habitats,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “It brings to light the many ways in which we can all work together to research, conserve and protect our treasured wildlife heritage.”

“The DNR leads development and implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan, but conserving at-risk species involves everyone, including other agencies, Tribes, conservation organizations, private landowners, educators, and Minnesotans across the state,” DNR State Wildlife Action Plan Coordinator Alison Cariveau said.

To help facilitate participation, the plan outlines numerous conservation actions to recover species and habitats, including recommendations for public engagement.

For more information about the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program, visit mndnr.gov/nongame [ [link removed] ].

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Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for proposed Cedar Lake Manoomin Restoration Project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments from July 28 until Aug. 27 on an environmental assessment worksheet related to the proposed Cedar Lake Manoomin Restoration Project, located in Carlton County.

The Minnesota Land Trust, in partnership with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and the Minnesota DNR, proposes to reestablish water levels favorable for Manoomin (wild rice) productivity at Cedar Lake, a designated wild rice lake on the Fond du Lac Reservation.

The project would restore historic lake levels by removing downstream beaver dams and associated materials. It would also include installation of a s boat ramp to enable long-term lake management. Access to the boat ramp would be restricted to members of the Fond du Lac band for the purposes of vegetation management, outflow channel maintenance,  and wild rice harvesting. It would not be open for general public use and would only be used for non-motored watercraft.

A copy of the environmental assessment worksheet is available on the project page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/input/environmentalreview/cedar-lake-manoomin-restoration.html).

A print copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5694.

The environmental assessment worksheet is also available for public review at the following locations:


* Cloquet Public Library, 320 14th St., Cloquet, MN 55720
* Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802
* DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
* Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401

The environmental assessment worksheet notice was published in the Tuesday, July 28 edition of the EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ] (eqb.state.mn.us/eqb-monitor), a publication of the Environmental Quality Board.

*How to comment*

The DNR will accept comments until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. People can submit comments on the environmental assessment worksheet by:


* Using the DNR’s online commenting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.commentinput.com/?id=GEhmc7a3B)
* Mailing comments to Cedar Lake EAW Project Manager, Environmental Review Unit, DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 25, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting online comments will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names and email or postal addresses will be publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.

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Minnesota DNR accepting comments on environmental review documents for the Mile Post 7 west ridge railroad relocation, dam progressions and stream mitigation project

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is accepting comments from July 28 until Aug. 27 on an environmental assessment worksheet related to the proposed Mile Post 7 project, located in Lake County.

Northshore Mining Company proposes relocating the west ridge railroad, progressing Dams 1 and 2, constructing a Dam 1 rail switchback, and developing a clay borrow site at the Mile Post 7 tailings basin. The proposal also includes approximately 12,900 linear feet of stream mitigation across four sites.

A copy of the EAW is available on the project page of the DNR website [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.gov/Input/EnvironmentalReview/mile-post-7-tailings-basin-project.html).

A print copy may be requested by calling 651-259-5122.

The EAW is also available for public review at:


* Silver Bay Public Library, 9 Davis Drive, Silver Bay, MN 55614
* DNR Library, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
* Hennepin County – Minneapolis Central Library, Government Documents, Second Floor, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN

The EAW was published in the July 28 edition of the EQB Monitor [ [link removed] ] (eqb.state.mn.us/eqb-monitor), a publication of the Environmental Quality Board.

*How to comment*

The DNR will accept comments until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026. People can submit comments on the EAW by:


* Using the DNR’s online commenting webpage [ [link removed] ] (mndnr.commentinput.com?id=kGj5DYgHi)
* Mailing comments to Mile Post 7 EAW Project Manager, Environmental Review Unit, DNR Ecological and Water Resources Division, 500 Lafayette Road, Box 25, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025

Anyone providing a mailing address or submitting online comments will receive a copy of the subsequent decision document, which will include responses to comments. Because all comments and related information are part of the public record for this environmental review, commenters’ names and email or postal addresses will be publicly available as they appear in the materials commenters submit.

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*Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  |  mndnr.gov [ [link removed] ]*

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