Weekly announcements and environmental review notices

Volume 48, Number 23                                                                                                June 4, 2024

Announcements

Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee meeting

Wednesday, June 12, 1 – 4 p.m.
Join us in person or virtually for the June 2024 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting. The subcommittee will hear details about the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Environmental Review Draft Workplan, data gathering for the FY25 Data Management Plan, and an update on the 2024 Mandatory Categories Report. More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the ERIS meeting webpage.

Public input on the EQB Strategic Plan

We want to hear from you! The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) has been working to update the organization’s strategic plan to guide our activities for the next five years. Starting with the existing strategic plan, developed in 2019, our goal was to draft a plan that helps us align our capacity and aspirations, and which provides guidance to the Board, EQB staff, and all our partners about our role and the work we plan to take on. Now is your opportunity to chime in and share your thoughts and ideas by taking
this online survey.

Deadline: 6/14/2024

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.

Brightsdale Dam River Restoration

Location (city/township; county): Lanesboro Township; Fillmore
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: July 5, 2024

Project description: The Brightsdale Dam was constructed in 1903 as part of a hydropower facility and was removed in 2003. The Minnesota DNR, Fillmore SWCD, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, and private landowners are working together to restore the Root River back to its pre-dam location to reduce streambank erosion and improve channel stability and habitat quality. This project will restore approximately a half mile of the Root River to its historic location and be used for educational purposes for the public and students attending Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

Location of public documents: Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, 902 Houston St. NW, Preston, MN 55965

Public meeting date, time, location: July 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m., Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District Offices, 902 Houston St. NW, Preston, MN 55965
Public meeting additional details: Fillmore SWCD Public Board Supervisor meeting.

Responsible governmental unit and contact: Fillmore Soil and Water Conservation District, Riley Buley, 507-304-2026

Woodbury Northeast Area

Location (city/township; county): Woodbury; Washington
Process: AUAR update
Step: Revised AUAR
End of comment period: June 18, 2024

Project description: The Woodbury Northeast Area (study area), is approximately 580 acres of contiguous land located along Interstate 94, a major transportation corridor. The study area is bordered by I-94 on the north and Manning Avenue on the east with development to the west and south. The City of Woodbury adopted the Northeast Area Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) in February 2009. An update was completed in 2014 and in 2019. Two development scenarios are currently being reviewed with this update.

Link to public documents: Woodbury Northeast Area revised AUAR
Location of public documents: Woodbury City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Rd, Woodbury,
MN 55125
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Woodbury, Kristin Seaman,
651-714-3593

General notices

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

Dairyland Wabasha Relocation Project - Notice of Public Information and Scoping Meetings

Notice description: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) and Minnesota Department of Commerce will hold public information and environmental assessment scoping meetings on Dairyland Power Cooperative's Wabasha Relocation 161 kV Transmission Line Project. The proposed project would relocate approximately 10.4 miles of Dairyland's existing 161-kV LQ34 line, which presently connects to the Wabaco Substation to the Alma Substation and is collocated on the existing CapX2020 345-kV transmission line structures. The existing 161-kV circuit must be relocated from the CapX2020 structures to make room for a new, second 345-kV circuit proposed for those structures. The new relocated transmission line is proposed to be a 13.3-mile 161-kV transmission line between an existing Dairyland transmission line structure in Plainview Township and a new proposed substation (Kellogg Substation) east of the city of Kellogg, Minnesota.

First public meeting date, time, location: June 11, 2024, 1:00 p.m., Online meeting
First public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
First public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2509 042 3278
Webinar Password: PUC!2024 (78202024 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 2509 042 3278
Second public meeting date, time, location: June 12, 2024, 6:00 p.m., St. Agnes Church Hall, 125 West Belvidere Avenue, Kellogg, MN 55945
Second public meeting additional details: 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 meeting. To find out if a hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc.

Contact: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Jim Sullivan, 651-539-1059

Link to additional information: Dairyland Wabasha Relocation Project additional information

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.

Access the EQB monitor submission service

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].