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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 50, Number 39                                                                                  September 29, 2026






Announcements

*Environmental Review Distribution List update*

The Environmental Review Distribution List [ [link removed] ] has been updated as of September 23, 2026. The list can also be found on our Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) guidance webpage [ [link removed] ].






Panorama of blue lake in northern Minnesota with an island and pines on a foggy September morning




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] ].

 

*Garvin Brook Habitat Enhancement Project*

"*This project notice was previously published in the September 22, 2026 EQB Monitor. The EAW was submitted for publication in error and is withdrawn; public comment will not be accepted. A revised project notice will be published at a later date."

*Location (city/township; county):* Winona; Winona
*Process:* EAW
*Step:* EAW submitted in error, withdrawn

*Project description:* Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) proposes to conduct a stream habitat enhancement project at Garvin Brook located in Stockton, Winona County, MN to address floodplain abandonment, channel incision, and degraded instream habitat to enhance the ecological and hydrologic functions of the creek and adjacent floodplain. The project will include reconnecting the creek with the floodplain, reshaping eroded stream banks, installing rock riffles to expand aquatic habitat and limit channel incision, installing woody material, and boulders for instream habitat, and planting native riparian vegetation. The project area occurs in the Garvin Brook Aquatic Management Area (AMA), and the MN Department of Natural Resources owns an angling easement along the creek within the project boundary. MNTU secured funding for the project through the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund Program.

*Responsible governmental unit and contact*: City of Stockton, Bethany Winchester <[email protected]>,
507-689-2005

 

Airlake Airport (LVN) Runway Extension and Associated Improvements [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Lakeville, Eureka Township; Dakota

*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*Joint federal and state review: *Yes
*End of comment period: *October 30, 2026

*Project description: *The project proposes to reconstruct the existing Runway 12/30 pavement, extend Runway 12/30 from 4,099 feet to 4,850 feet, minimize incompatible land uses, mitigate Runway 12/30 airspace penetrations requiring 30 tree removals, meet current FAA airport design standards, modify and/or replace visual navigational aids, expand the fixed base operator (FBO) apron, and relocate an existing stream to accommodate airport improvements.
Airlake Airport (LVN) Runway Extension and Associated Improvements project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) General Office, 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450

*Public meeting date, time, location: *October 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m., MSP Airport Conference Center (Terminal 1), 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111
*Public meeting additional details:* The MAC will hold the public hearing on October 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. during the MAC Planning, Development & Environment Committee Meeting. For instructions on how to obtain a concourse security pass to attend the meeting see MAC's meetings webpage [ [link removed] ].

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Metropolitan Airports Commission,
Bridget Rief <[email protected]>, 612-725-8371

 

Maple Grove Hospital Expansion  [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Maple Grove; Hennepin
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *October 29, 2026

*Project description: *North Memorial Health proposes to expand the existing Maple Grove Hospital campus located at 9875 Hospital Drive both vertically and horizontally (Project). The Project would include an addition of roughly 315,000 gross square feet (GSF), expanding the hospital campus to the north and west and increasing the height of the hospital campus to 8 stories.
Maple Grove Hospital Expansion Environmental Assessment Worksheet project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Maple Grove City Hall, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway,
Maple Grove, MN 55311

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Maple Grove, Peter Vickerman <[email protected]>,
763-494-6046

 

Rapidan Dam Removal Project [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Rapidan Township; Blue Earth
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EAW available
*End of comment period: *October 29, 2026

*Project description: *Rapidan Dam, owned by Blue Earth County (BEC), was built in 1910 on the Blue Earth River to produce electricity for the Mankato area. Flooding in 1965, 2019/2020, and 2024 damaged the dam, and electric generation has ceased. The Project would consist of removing the remaining dam structures, allowing the river to naturally re-establish, and stabilizing adjacent lands.
Rapidan Dam Removal Project project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Blue Earth County Government Center (2nd Floor),
410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN 56001

*Public meeting date, time, location: *October 7, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Historic Courthouse (2nd Floor), 204 S 5th Street, Mankato, MN 56001

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Blue Earth County, Mark Manderfeld <[email protected]>,
507-304-4262

 

County State Aid Highway 54 Reconstruction and Mississippi River Greenway Extension [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *September 1, 2026

*Project description: *The project will reconstruct seven miles of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 from 18th Street in Hastings to CSAH 68. Improvements include correcting substandard curves, widening the roadway, and adding a roundabout at the current intersection of CSAH 54 and CSAH 68. Dakota County has included a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail to extend the Mississippi River Greenway and link Hastings to the Prairie Island Indian Community in this EAW to ensure impacts from the maximum disturbance alternative are appropriately evaluated. However, per County Board direction on June 16, 2026, it has been determined that this project would not include a multi-use trail.

*Location of public documents:* Dakota County, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley,
MN 55124

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Dakota County, Imran Ahmed <[email protected]>,
952-891-7991

 

Pazdernik Gravel Pit - La Grand Township, MN [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *La Grand Township; Douglas
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

***Responsible governmental unit decision: ***Negative (no EIS ordered)

*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *September 15, 2026

*Project description: *Pazdernik Properties, LLC proposes an aggregate mine on 97-acres in La Grand Township, Douglas County, MN. Operations include excavation, screening, crushing, and stockpiling of materials. Proposed lifespan is 50 years, after which the site will be restored to a usable condition for agricultural production, forest management/recreational uses, and rural residential development.

*Location of public documents:* Douglas County Land & Resource Management Department, 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Douglas County, David Rush <[email protected]>, 320-762-3863

 

Pleasant Valley Farms [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Nininger Twp (to be annexed to Hastings); Dakota
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

****Responsible governmental unit decision: ****Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *September 21, 2026

*Project description: *The proposed project, Pleasant Valley Farms, is a new residential development in the City of Hastings, Minnesota. Pleasant Valley Farms will be built on approximately 158.0 acres and will be developed with up to 407 residential homes consisting of 341 single-family detached units and 66 townhomes. The development will also include a homeowners' association area, curvilinear roads, stormwater management areas, and open spaces. The City of Hastings and Nininger Township adopted a Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation of property primarily owned by Conzemius Family Limited Partnership. Upon approval and sale of the property for development, the land will be transferred from Township to City jurisdiction.

*Location of public documents:* City of Hastings, 101 East 4th St, Hastings, Minnesota,
MN 55033

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Hastings, John Hinzman <[email protected]>,
651-480-2378

 

Southern Shakopee AUAR Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *City of Shakopee; Scott
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *Revised AUAR
*End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): *October 13, 2026

*Project description: *The Southern Shakopee Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) area is approximately 435 acres, located south of Valley View Road and west of Mystic Lake Drive, City of Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. The original AUAR was adopted in 2022 and evaluated two residential development scenarios. This AUAR update captures development that has occurred in the past five years, an update to the environmental analysis where necessary, and a review of mitigation measures.
Southern Shakopee AUAR Update project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Shakopee City Hall, 485 Gorman Street, Shakopee,
MN 55379

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Shakopee, Mark Noble <[email protected]>,
952-233-9348

 

Plum Creek BESS [ [link removed] ]

*Location: *Westbrook, Cottonwood
*Process: *Alternative review

*Notice title: *Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Draft Permit (IP 6997/ESS-26-157)
*Notice description: *PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Plum Creek Storage, LLC’s (Applicant) proposed project for an up to 200-megawatt (MW)/800-megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system in Ann Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The energy storage system will operate in conjunction with the previously permitted Plum Creek Wind Project. 

*Project description: *In the Matter of the Application of Plum Creek Storage, LLC for a Site Permit for the up to 200 MW Plum Creek Battery Energy Storage System Project in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. You may find information on the project, including the application, the environmental assessment and the Commission’s draft permit, on the Commission’s project webpage [ [link removed] ] and on the Commissions eDocket system [ [link removed] ]: eDocket Number 26-157 (enter the number and select “search”).

*Location of public documents:* Westbrook Public Library, 556 1st Ave Westbrook,
MN 56183

*First public meeting date, time, location: *October 14, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 849 5th St., Westbrook, MN 56183
**First public *meeting additional details:*  The hearing ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. Directions to Westbrook Community Center [ [link removed] ]. 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 advance of the hearing. To find out if a hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other reason, call 1-855-731-6208 or visit the Commission's website [ [link removed] ]. 

*Second public meeting date, time, location: *October 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
**Second public *meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
**Second public *meeting additional details:*   Webinar Number: 2499 120 2914
Webinar Password: Plum2026
Join by Phone: +1-415-655-0003
Toll Access Code: 2499 120 2914
If you are joining the hearing via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the hearing, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the hearing moderator. If you are joining the hearing 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 hearing ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. 

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


 

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

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