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.
Location (city/township; county): Little Falls Township; Lyon, Morrison
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: November 5, 2026
Project description: 3C Dairy is proposing to construct a new dairy milking facility capable of housing 3,600 head (5,040 animal units) dairy milking cows (Project). The Project will be 47-48 acres and include one tunnel-ventilated dairy barn with milking parlor and associated holding area. 3C Dairy will store all liquid manure produced at the facility in a three-stage synthetic lined liquid manure storage area. 3C Dairy will haul separated solids and liquid manure produced to cropland for manure application after harvest activities are complete in the fall or prior to planting activities in the spring.
3C Dairy Feedlot Expansion project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North, St Paul, MN 55155
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
Megen Kabele, 651-757-2044
Location (city/township; county): Rochester; Olmsted
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: November 5, 2026
Project description: Olmsted County, in coordination with the City of Rochester, is proposing the realignment of 4,229 linear feet of the existing South Branch of Cascade Creek in Olmsted County. The realignment will move the stream north of the existing channel and will be designed to establish a channel that has the dimension, pattern, and profile of a natural stream similar to the stream restoration completed in Phase 1, east of the Project Site. The project will realign and restore the creek while also improving water quality, floodplain connectivity, and in-stream habitat.
Location of public documents: Development Services and Infrastructure Center,
4001 W River Parkway, Rochester, MN 55901
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler,
507-328-2600
Location (city/township; county): Big Lake; Sherburne
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: September 16, 2026
Project description: Fisher Construction Group proposes a 550,000 sq. ft. single story factory and warehouse building with an office and parking area. The building will be built on the south end of the 115.3- acre property on agricultural land. The building will be served with public utilities and will utilize infiltration with stormwater ponding. The building site is located in Big Lake, Sherburne County, Minnesota on the north side of Highway 25 as shown on Figure 4.
Location of public documents: Big Lake City Hall, 160 Lake Street N, Big Lake, MN 55309
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Big Lake, Marie Popp, 763-463-9638
Location: Castle Rock Township, Dakota
Process: Alternative review
End of comment period: November 4, 2026
Notice title: Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Draft Permit (ESS-25-430)
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Castle Rock Solar’s application for the 150-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) Castle Rock Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Castle Rock Township, Dakota County, Minnesota. Associated facilities of the project will include battery energy storage enclosures, inverters and transformers, electrical collection lines, access roads, fencing, and other minor equipment and subcomponents typical of a BESS project. The project site is approximately 6.8 acres and is located entirely within the footprint of the previously permitted Castle Rock Solar facility (IP-7137/GS-24-267).
Project description: In the Matter of the Application of Castle Rock Solar LLC for a Site Permit for the up to 150 MW Castle Rock Battery Energy Storage System Project in Dakota 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 and on the Commissions eDocket system: eDocket Number 25-430 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Dakota County Public Library, 503 3rd St, Farmington,
MN 55024
First public meeting date, time, location: Monday, October 19, 2026, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Online meeting
First public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
First public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2491 617 1247
Webinar Password: Castle2026
Join by Phone: +1-415-655-0003
Toll Access Code: 2491 617 1247
The hearing ends when all present attendees have commented or at 4:30 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. If you 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.
Second public meeting date, time, location: Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Farmington High School, 20655 Flagstaff Ave, Farmington, MN 55024 (The meeting will be in the Lecture Hall, located inside door 16 on the south side of the high school)
Second 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.
Both public meetings additional information: 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.
The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Portia Hampton-Flowers, an administrative law judge from the Court of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a summary of public testimony. 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 site 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 site permit.
Written comments will be accepted through November 4, 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, Jacques Harvieux, 651-201-2233
Location: Shell Rock Township, Freeborn
Process: Alternative review
Notice title: Notice of Final Permit Decision (ESS-24-294, TL-24-295)
Notice description: In the Matter of the Joint Application of Midwater BESS, LLC for a Site Permit and Route Permit for the up to 150 MW Midwater Energy Storage Project and Associated 161 kV Transmission Line in Freeborn County. PUC Docket No. IP-7138/ESS-24-294, TL-24-295. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in an order issued on September 4, 2026, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission: Among other things, issued a site and route permit for the above-named project.
Project description: In the Matter of the Joint Application of Midwater BESS, LLC for a Site Permit and Route Permit for the up to 150 MW Midwater Energy Storage Project and Associated 161 kV Transmission Line in Freeborn County. More information is on the Commissions eDocket system: eDocket Number 24-295 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Albert Lea Public Library, 211 E Clark St. Albert Lea,
MN 56007
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux, 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. 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 are due by 4:00 p.m. on the Tuesday one week prior to the intended publication date. Please see the EQB Monitor schedule for more details.
To submit a notice for publication:
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].
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