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EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 09                                                                                            March 4, 2025






Announcements

*2025 Groundwater Policy Report*

We want to hear from you! We are currently leading an interagency working group to develop Minnesota’s 2025 Groundwater Policy Report, a required legislative report on the state’s groundwater protection programs, due in September 2025. Our goal is for the report to support informed decision making on groundwater issues by:


* Providing foundational information about groundwater in Minnesota
* Describing the state’s collaborative approach to protecting groundwater
* Describing important threats to Minnesota’s groundwater and the actions being taken to mitigate those threats
* Identifying important gaps and opportunities to be addressed

We are seeking feedback on a preliminary outline to make sure the report will be useful, informative, and fulfill these goals. Share your concerns about groundwater, and what you see as gaps and opportunities in protecting it on our Engagement HQ page [ [link removed] ]. You can also join us for a webinar presentation and discussion on March 12, 1 – 2:30 p.m. – register today [ [link removed] ]!

 






Beautiful landscape with white birches. Birch trees in bright sunshine. The trunks of birch trees with white bark. Birch trees trunks.




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] ].

 

Larson Quarry Expansion [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Grey Cloud Island Township; Washington
*Process: *EAW
*Step: *EIS need decision

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Positive (EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *February 18, 2025

*Project description: *Holcim-MWR, Inc. proposes to expand their existing limestone quarry, known as the Larson Quarry, to the east onto an adjacent 148-acre property that they own located east of County Road 75. The Larson Quarry and expansion area is in Grey Cloud Island Township, Washington County, Minnesota. No change in quarry operations or production levels is proposed. The expansion will extend the life of the mine by 20-25 years.
Larson Quarry Expansion project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Washington County Public Works, 11660 Myeron Rd N, Stillwater, MN 55082
*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Washington County, Daniel Elder <[email protected]>,
651-430-4307

 

Moorhead Center Mall Redevelopment Project [ [link removed] ]

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

**Responsible governmental unit decision: **Negative (no EIS ordered)
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *February 10, 2025

*Project description: *The City of Moorhead is proposing to demolish the Moorhead Center Mall and subdivide the property into several downtown mixed-use lots consisting of multistory buildings with commercial, residential and civic properties. The redevelopment will include the expansion of the current stormwater system, utilities, and roadways. The purpose of this project is to redevelop and revitalize the Moorhead Center Mall area in downtown Moorhead as a key step in Moorhead's future growth and diversification. The project will benefit the citizens of the City of Moorhead and visitors by providing new commercial, retail, residential, and community spaces in the downtown area.

*Location of public documents:* City of Moorhead - Planning and Zoning, 403 Center Ave.,  Moorhead, MN 56561

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Moorhead, Robin Huston <[email protected]>,
218-299-5370

 

Haven Township Sand and Gravel Mine [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Haven Township; Sherburne
*Process: *EIS
*Step: *EIS preparation notice

*Project description: *Holcim - MWR, Inc. proposes to develop a new 683-acre sand and gravel mine on property located in Haven Township, Sherburne County, MN. Mining operations will include removal of vegetation, topsoil and overburden, sand and gravel extraction, processing (crushing, washing, screening), recycling asphalt and concrete, stockpiling, loading, hauling, and site reclamation.
*Summary of scoping decision: *Through preparation of the Scoping EAW and review of public comments, the following topics were categorized as 'C' or 'D' and will be further addressed in the Draft EIS: Land Use; Water Resources; Contamination/Hazardous Materials/Wastes; Fish, Wildlife, Plant Communities, and Sensitive Ecological Resources; Historic Properties; Visual; Air; Greenhouse Gas/Carbon Footprint; Noise, Transportation; Cumulative Potential Effects. The Draft EIS will also include an executive summary that includes a summary of all identified health impacts associated with each topic studied in the EIS.
Haven Township Sand and Gravel Mine project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Sherburne County Planning and Zoning, 13880 Business Center Drive NW, Elk River, MN 55330

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *Sherburne County, Lynn Waytashek <[email protected]>,
763-765-4461

 

Cannon Falls Industrial AUAR [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Cannon Falls; Dakota, Goodhue
*Process: *Large AUAR
*Step: *Draft order for review
*End of comment period: *April 3, 2025

*Project description: *The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 251 acres on 5 parcels in the City of Cannon Falls and Randolph Township, Goodhue and Dakota Counties, Minnesota. MNLCO Dakota County Two, LLC & MNLCO Dakota County Three, LLC is proposing to develop the study area from existing farmland to industrial or technology park uses. Two scenarios are proposed for evaluation in the AUAR. Scenario 1 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,750,000 square feet of a proposed industrial development. Scenario 2 includes multiple buildings for a total of 1,500,000 square feet of technology park. The proposed development within the AUAR study area is anticipated to begin construction in 2026.

*Location of public documents:* Cannon Falls City Hall, 918 River Rd, Cannon Falls,
MN 55009

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Cannon Falls, Jon Radermacher <[email protected]>,
507-263-9304

 

Project 100: Mixed Use Development in NW Maple Grove AUAR Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Maple Grove; Hennepin
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption
*End of comment period: *February 4, 2025

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *February 18, 2025

*Project description: *Ryan Companies prepared an AUAR in 2019 for the Project 100 Area in Northwest Maple Grove, bounded by I-94 to the west and Highway 610 to the north. This 5-year AUAR Update is being conducted per MN Rules 4410.3610, Subpart 7a. The development scenario included in the AUAR (Maximum Build) aligns with the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and studies a mix of uses including office, medical office, hospital/medical, multi-family residential and senior living.
Project 100: Mixed Use Development in NW Maple Grove AUAR Update project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* Maple Grove Government Center, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway N, Maple Grove, MN 55369

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

 

General notices

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

 

Birch Coulee Solar Environmental Assessment Availability

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Commerce issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on February 25, 2025. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, possible mitigations for identified impacts, and evaluation of any alternatives contained in the scoping decision. Birch Coulee Solar is proposing to construct an up to 125 MW solar energy generating system in Birch Cooley, Bandon, and Camp Townships and the City of Franklin in Renville County, Minnesota. The proposed project would be located on 1,041 acres, and use photovoltaic solar panels mounted on single axis tracking systems The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public hearings on the application of Birch Coulee Solar, LLC for a site permit for the up to 125 MW alternating current photovoltaic solar energy generating system and associated facilities in Renville County, Minnesota.

*First public meeting date, time, location: *March 11, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Franklin Community Center, 221 E 2nd Ave E, Franklin, MN 55333
*First public meeting additional details:* Google Maps, Franklin 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 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.
*Second public meeting date, time, location: *March 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
*Second public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Second public meeting additional details:* 
Webinar Number: 2486 974 3691
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
United States Toll Free Access Code: 2486 974 3691
If you are joining the meeting via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the meeting, use the chat or raised-hand functions to send a message to the meeting moderator. If you are joining the meeting 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 WebEx information and instructions [ [link removed] ] 
Comment Period: Written comments will be accepted through Monday, March 24th, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the PUC Docket Number 23-477 in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission. Topics for Comment: ▪ Should the Commission grant a site permit for the proposed solar energy generating system? ▪ If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the site permit?

*Link to additional information: *Birch Coulee Solar Project additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contacts:
*Minnesota Department of Commerce, Lauren Agnew <[email protected]>, 651‐539‐1838  *
*Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Craig Janezich <[email protected]>, 651-201-2203

 

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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