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.
*This project notice was previously published in the EQB Monitor with the end of comment period listed as November 13. The comment period has been extended per the below.
Location (city/township; county): Saint Paul; Ramsey
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: December 12, 2025
Project description: The City of Saint Paul is proposing to construct the Mississippi River Learning Center, which would include a multi-use, river-focused space with the Welcome Station atop the bluff along Shepard Road next to Crosby Farm Regional Park. The center would provide year-round environmental learning opportunities and outdoor recreation experiences. The project is located within the City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Mississippi River Learning Center project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Planning and Economic Development Office,
25 W. Fourth Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Saint Paul, Joshua Williams,
651-266-6659
Location (city/township; county): Grand Rapids; Itasca
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: December 18, 2025
Project description: The Soring Pit is located on Minnesota Trust Land leased to Hawkinson by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The lease is for the removal of earth materials per cubic yard. Materials allowed to be extracted with the lease boundary include sand, gravel, boulders, and uncrushed rock. The lease will be in effect from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with an option to renew. Revenues generated from the lease go to support State of Minnesota's Permanent School Fund.
Location of public documents: City of Cohasset, 305 NW 1st Ave, Cohasset, MN 55721
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Cohasset, Anthony Valtinson,
218-328-6225 x20
Location (city/township; county): Rochester Township; Olmsted
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: December 18, 2025
Project description: The proposed project is a residential development in Cascade and Rochester townships, Minnesota, on property proposed to be annexed into the City of Rochester. The development will be built on approximately 176 acres and will be developed with 317 single-family detached units, stormwater management areas, curvilinear roads, and open spaces. The Rochester City Council approved the annexation of 120 acres of the 176 acres into the Rochester city limits on September 8, 2025. The City of Rochester has been coordinating with Cascade and Rochester Townships to execute Joint Powers Agreements (JPAs) for administration of the EAW. These JPAs will delegate authority to the City of Rochester as the lead RGU for the EAW process.
Nigon Development EAW project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Development Services and Infrastructure Center,
4001 W River Parkway NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Rochester, Elliot Mohler,
507-328-2600
Location (city/township; county): Owatonna; Steele
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: December 18, 2025
Project description: Construct a new north-south, two-lane county highway between SE 18th St in Owatonna Township to Kenyon Road in Clinton Falls Township with a bridge over Maple Creek. The Project will realign Claremont Road to the north to create more space between the new 29th Avenue/Claremont Road intersection and the Canadian Pacific railroad crossing. The Project includes American with Disabilities Act (ADA) elements, intersection control, and stormwater treatment. Trails for pedestrians and bicyclists will be constructed along the new highway between SE 18th St and 26th St NE and portions of SE 18th St and 26th Street NE, along with a connection to a trail on Rose St. Portions 26th St NE, Claremont Road, and SE 18th St will be reconstructed.
Owatonna East Side Corridor (29th Ave Corridor) project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Steele County Public Works Facility, 3000 Hoffman Drive NW, Owatonna, MN 55060
Public meeting date, time, location: December 11, 2025, 4:30 p.m., Owatonna City Hall, 540 W Hills Cir, Owatonna, MN 55060
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Steele County, Ronald Gaines,
507-444-7671
Location (city/township; county): Cottage Grove; Washington
Process: EIS
Step: EIS Adequacy Determination
Responsible governmental unit decision: Adequate
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: November 5, 2025
Project description: Amrize (formerly known as "Holcim – MWR, Inc" and "Aggregate Industries") currently mines land leased from a private landowner on Lower Grey Cloud Island in Cottage Grove, Washington County, MN, and processes materials nearby. The existing facility will exhaust its current reserves in approximately four years. Amrize is proposing to shift mining operations over a 20 to 25-year period to adjacent private property located in the backwaters area of the Mississippi River between Lower Grey Cloud Island and barrier islands created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The proposed project would allow Amrize to continue use of their mechanical dredge, processing facilities and barge system to supply the local Twin Cities market with construction quality natural aggregate.
Nelson Mine Backwaters Project project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South,
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Cottage Grove, Emily Schmitz,
651-458-2874
Location (city/township; county): Monticello Township; Wright
Process: Large AUAR
Step: Draft AUAR
End of comment period: December 18, 2025
Project description: This AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 550 acres on 16 parcels in Monticello Township, Wright County, Minnesota. The study is comprised of land generally located south of 85th St NE, west of Edmonson Ave NE, and east of Davidson Ave NE. Two development scenarios are proposed to be evaluated in the AUAR.
Monticello Industrial project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Monticello City Hall, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello,
MN 55362
Public meeting date, time, location: November 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Monticello City Hall, 505 Walnut Street, Monticello, MN 55362
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Monticello, Angela Schumann,
763-271-3224
General notices
Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.
Highway 8 Improvement Project Environmental Assessment (EA) - Notice of Availability
Notice description: Chisago County proposes to improve pavement conditions, vehicle safety, and vehicle mobility on Highway 8 (Hwy 8) from Interstate 35 (I-35) in Forest Lake to Karmel Ave in Chisago City. The project plans to preserve the pavement from I-35 to Hwy 61, reconstructing Hwy 8 as a four-lane highway from east of Goodview Cir to East Viking Blvd and reconstructing the two-lane rural section highway from East Viking Blvd to Karmel Ave. Additional improvements include local road connections/reconstruction, stormwater pond construction, intersection improvements, and construction of a multi-use trail on the north side of Hwy 8 from Hwy 61 to Karmel Ave. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027. The EA documents the purpose and need of the project along with the anticipated social, economic, and environmental impacts. The EA will be available for review and comment on the project website and hard copy locations from Nov. 18 to Dec. 18.
Public meeting date, time, location: December 2, 2025, 5:30 p.m., Lakeside Elementary School (Media Center), 29678 Karmel Ave, Chisago City, MN 55013
Public meeting additional details: Copies of the EA will be available for review at the public hearing and are also available for public viewing during business hours at the following locations from November 18 through December 18, 2025: • Chisago County Public Works: 31325 Oasis Rd, Center City, MN 55012 • Wyoming Area Library: 26855 Forest Blvd, Wyoming, MN 55092 • Chisago City Hall: 10625 Railroad Ave, Chisago City, MN 55013 • Chisago Lakes Area Library: 11754 302nd St, Chisago City, MN 55013 • Forest Lake City Hall: 1408 Lake St S, Forest Lake, MN 55025 • MnDOT Metro District Water's Edge Building: 1500 West Co. Rd. B-2, Roseville, MN 55113
To afford an opportunity for all interested persons, agencies, and groups to comment on the EA, a public hearing has been scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Lakeside Elementary School in the Media Center (29678 Karmel Ave, Chisago City, MN 55013). This will be an open house meeting and there will be no formal presentation.
Link to additional information: Highway 8 Improvement Project additional information
Contact: Chisago County, Joe Triplett, 651-213-8708
Notice of Public Information and EA Scoping Meetings - Lemon Hill Solar Project, GS-25-126
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will hold public information and environmental assessment (EA) scoping meetings on the application of Lemon Hill Solar, LLC (Lemon Hill) for a site permit application to construct and operate a 180 megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generating facility and associated infrastructure (project) in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Ranger Power is developing the project on behalf of Lemon Hill.
First public meeting date, time, location: November 19, 2025, 12:00 p.m., 125 Live,
125 Elton Hills Dr. NW, Rochester, MN 55901
Second public meeting date, time, location: November 19, 2025, 6:00 p.m., 125 Live,
125 Elton Hills Dr. NW, Rochester, MN 55901
First and second public meeting additional details: The purpose of the meetings is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process; and (2) provide an opportunity for the public to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each meeting to provide attendees an opportunity to review the application, maps, and other materials for the proposed project and ask questions of state staff and the applicant. During this open house time, comments made by attendees will become a part of the record for Commission consideration only if the attendee submits the comment in writing. Forms will be available for this purpose. State staff and the applicant will both make presentations during the meeting. State staff will explain the permitting and environmental review process, and the applicant will provide an overview of the proposed project. Following the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to offer oral and written comments for the record. The meetings will end when all attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has concluded, or the scheduled end time of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online meetings.
If any reasonable accommodation is needed to enable you to fully participate in these meetings, 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 meeting is canceled due to bad weather or other reason, call 1-855-731-6208 or visit mn.gov/puc. Written comments will be accepted through Monday, December 8, 2025, 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.
Third public meeting date, time, location: November 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Third public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Third public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2493 109 5863
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Access Code: 2493 109 5863
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 information and instructions are available at the PUC website.
The purpose of the meetings is to: (1) provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process; and (2) provide an opportunity for the public to participate in developing the scope of the environmental assessment. Written comments will be accepted through Monday, December 8, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. Please include the docket number, GS-25-126, in all communications. Comments received after the close of the comment period may or may not be considered by the Commission. Topics for Comment: What potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project should be considered in the EA? Are there any methods to minimize, mitigate, or avoid potential impacts of the proposed project that should be considered in the EA? Are there any unique characteristics of the proposed project that should be considered in the EA?
Link to additional information: Lemon Hill Solar Project additional information
Contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Lauren Agnew, 651-201-2198
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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