EQB Monitor, August 30, 2022

Announcements

Subcommittee for Pilot Program Implementation meeting

Join us for the Subcommittee for Pilot Program Implementation (SPPI) meeting on August 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. At this meeting, SPPI members will discuss Climate Change and Environmental Review Pilot Program implementation activities and early takeaways from feedback received to date on the draft revised EAW form and make recommendations to EQB staff. Members of the public are invited to provide comment at the meeting. More information about this virtual meeting, including the meeting packet and opportunities to participate, can be found on the meeting page.

Share your ideas to help pollinators!

The Interagency Pollinator Protection Team (IPPT) is developing an action framework to help pollinators in Minnesota. The framework is a set of recommended actions to help pollinators over the long term. These recommendations will include state-led actions and actions members of the public can do.

Visit our engagement platform where you can share your ideas for action with the IPPT, and vote for the ideas you think should be prioritized.

The IPPT will consider the ideas submitted by August 31 and release a draft of the framework by December 1.

For more information on the pollinator action framework or the public engagement platform, please contact Rebeca Gutierrez-Moreno (phone, 651-757-2268).

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.

We need your feedback: Some governmental units are completing environmental review using the draft revised Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) form that includes information about greenhouse gases and climate change. These reviews are noted below with a star (*) in front of the project title. Help us understand the usefulness of the climate change information in these EAWs by completing a brief survey. Your feedback is important to the Environmental Quality Board and will inform decision making on the final EAW form.

Valley Paving

Location: Belle Plaine and St. Lawrence Townships, Scott County
Process: Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW)
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: September 29, 2022

Project description: Valley Paving is proposing to expand their existing mining operation to a total of 88.5 acres as well as increasing the max depth of the original mine area to include mining in to the water table. The sand and gravel mine is located on a 166-acre parcel in both Belle Plaine and St. Lawrence Townships. Mine operations include topsoil and overburden removal, excavation, processing (screening, crushing, and washing), asphalt production, stockpiling, loading, recycling of concrete and asphalt, and reclamation. The project proposes to mine approximately 25 feet below the water table. Reclamation consists of an open water body feature as well as leaving the area suitable for future City of Belle Plaine development.

Link to public documents: Valley Paving EAW
Location of public documents: Scott County Government Center, 200 4th Ave W, Shakopee, MN 55379

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Scott County, Jesse Krzenski, 952-496-8361

Glenwood Gravel Pit Expansion Project

Location: Glenwood Township, Pope County
Process: Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW)
Step: Environmental impact statement (EIS) need decision

Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit decision date: August 16, 2022

Link to public documents: Glenwood Gravel Pit Expansion Project EIS need decision
Location of public documents: Pope County Land & Resource Management, 130 East Minnesota Ave Suite 113, Glenwood, MN 56334

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Pope County, David Green, 320-634-7791

*South Fork Nine Mile Creek Bank Stabilization Project

Location: Eden Prairie and Bloomington, Hennepin County
Process: Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW)
Step: Environmental impact statement (EIS) need decision

Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit decision date: August 17, 2022

Link to public documents: South Fork Nine Mile Creek Bank Stabilization Project EIS need decision
Location of public documents: Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, 12800 Gerard Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55346

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Nine Mile Creek Watershed District,
Randy Anhorn, 952-835-2078

I-494 from Trunk Highway 169 to Trunk Highway 5

Location: Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield, Hennepin County
Process: Environmental assessment worksheet (EAW)
Step: Environmental impact statement (EIS) need decision
Joint federal and state review: Yes

Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit decision date: August 18, 2022

Link to public documents: I-494 from Trunk Highway 169 to Trunk Highway 5 EIS need decision
Location of public documents: MnDOT Metro District, 1500 County Road B2,
Roseville, MN 55113

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Department of Transportation, Andrew Lutaya, 651-234-7563

Submit an environmental review notice to the EQB Monitor

The EQB Monitor is published every Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. 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:

Use the EQB Monitor submission form

Questions? Contact EQB by phone at 651-757-2873 or email us at [email protected].

Weekly announcements and environmental review notices