New_EQB_Logo




EQB Monitor




Weekly announcements and environmental review notices





Volume 49, Number 50                                                                                   December 16, 2025






Announcements

*Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee meeting*

*Wednesday, December 17, 1 – 4 p.m.
*Join us in person or virtually for the December 2025 Environmental Review Implementation Subcommittee (ERIS) meeting. The subcommittee will hear updates on the Environmental Review (ER) workplan, the Climate Calculator, and the use and guidance of the Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR). They will also hear an update on ER rulemaking including energy infrastructure, Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) scoping, and gas production. More information about the meeting, including the meeting packet and virtual meeting information, can be found on the ERIS meeting webpage [ [link removed] ].

 

*No publication of December 30, 2025 "EQB Monitor" *

Due to the holidays there will not be a December 30 "EQB Monitor" edition publication. The next edition will be published on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.






Snowy Owl landing at sunset taken in central MN in the wild




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] ].

 

Cottage Grove East Ravine AUAR and Mitigation Plan Update [ [link removed] ]

*Location (city/township; county): *Cottage Grove; Washington
*Process: *AUAR update
*Step: *AUAR update adoption
*End of comment period: *November 12, 2025

*Responsible governmental unit decision: *Adequate
*Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: *December 3, 2025

*Project description: *This 2025 update to the East Ravine AUAR and Mitigation Plan covers a 3,988-acre area north of 70th St, east of County Rd 19, and west of Lamar/Kimbro Aves. The proposed development aligns with the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, aiming for full build-out per future land use. It includes mostly single-family homes with some medium/high-density housing to support lifecycle needs. Two commercial nodes are planned: one in Cedarhurst at 70th & Keats with a neighborhood focus. A key goal is creating a safe, efficient, and connected local and collector street system.
Cottage Grove East Ravine AUAR and Mitigation Plan Update project link provided by RGU [ [link removed] ]

*Location of public documents:* City of Cottage Grove, 12800 Ravine Parkway South,
Cottage Grove, MN 55016

*Responsible governmental unit and contact: *City of Cottage Grove, Emily Schmitz <[email protected]>,
651-458-2874

 

General notices

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

 

DNR proposes to update the Public Waters Inventory for Aitkin County

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its proposal to update the Public Waters Inventory (PWI) for Aitkin County. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minn. Stat. § 103G.201 (f) which directed the DNR to update the state's PWI. The DNR has prepared a map and list of preliminary corrections which will update the PWI for Aitkin County. The DNR is proposing a total of 17 public waters corrections including 16 additions and 1 removal in Aitkin County. The map and list of preliminary corrections can be viewed on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). The DNR will provide a 60-day public comment period and host a public meeting in the county to obtain feedback on the preliminary corrections.

*Public meeting date, time, location: *January 28, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Aitkin Public Library (Community Room), 110 First Avenue NE, Aitkin, MN 56431
*Public meeting additional details:*  The DNR will accept written comments on the preliminary corrections from December 29, 2025 until 4:30 p.m. February 27, 2026. Comments may be submitted online via the public comment tool on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). Written comments may be submitted to Public Waters Inventory Update, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025, or [email protected]. Comments cannot be submitted by phone. General questions about the project may be asked by email, postal mail or by calling 651-259-5416. Any information submitted will be part of the public record. Individual comments will not receive a reply. The DNR will review feedback received during the comment period and make necessary modifications to the preliminary map. A revised map, now a provisional final map, will be submitted to the county and made available on the DNR's project webpage. Sign up for email updates on the project webpage to receive information as the project progresses.

*Link to additional information: *DNR Aitkin County additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wes Saunders-Pearce <[email protected]>, 
651-259-5416

 

DNR proposes to update the Public Waters Inventory for Benton County

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its proposal to update the Public Waters Inventory (PWI) for Benton County. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minn. Stat. § 103G.201 (f) which directed the DNR to update the state's PWI. The DNR has prepared a map and list of preliminary corrections which will update the PWI for Benton County. The DNR is proposing a total of 4 public waters corrections including 1 addition and 3 removals in Benton County. The map and list of preliminary corrections can be viewed on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). The DNR will provide a 60-day public comment period and host a public meeting in the county to obtain feedback on the preliminary corrections.

*Public meeting date, time, location: *January 26, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Foley High School, 840 Norman Avenue N, Foley, MN 56329
*Public meeting additional details:* The DNR will accept written comments on the preliminary corrections from December 27, 2025 until 4:30 p.m. February 25, 2026. Comments may be submitted online via the public comment tool on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). Written comments may be submitted to Public Waters Inventory Update, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025, or [email protected]. Comments cannot be submitted by phone. General questions about the project may be asked by email, postal mail or by calling 651-259-5416. Any information submitted will be part of the public record. Individual comments will not receive a reply. The DNR will review feedback received during the comment period and make necessary modifications to the preliminary map. A revised map, now a provisional final map, will be submitted to the county and made available on the DNR's project webpage. Sign up for email updates on the project webpage to receive information as the project progresses.

*Link to additional information: *DNR Benton County additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wes Saunders-Pearce <[email protected]>, 
651-259-5416

 

DNR proposes to update the Public Waters Inventory for Blue Earth County

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its proposal to update the Public Waters Inventory (PWI) for Blue Earth County. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minn. Stat. § 103G.201 (f) which directed the DNR to update the state's PWI. The DNR has prepared a map and list of preliminary corrections which will update the PWI for Blue Earth County. The DNR is proposing a total of 11 public waters corrections including 10 additions and 1 removal in Blue Earth County. The map and list of preliminary corrections can be viewed on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). The DNR will provide a 60-day public comment period and host a public meeting in the county to obtain feedback on the preliminary corrections.

*Public meeting date, time, location: *January 22, 2026, 6:00 p.m., South Central College (North Mankato Campus), 1920 Lee Boulevard, North Mankato, MN 56003
*Public meeting additional details:* The DNR will accept written comments on the preliminary corrections from December 22, 2025 until 4:30 p.m. February 21, 2026. Comments may be submitted online via the public comment tool on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). Written comments may be submitted to Public Waters Inventory Update, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025, or [email protected]. Comments cannot be submitted by phone. General questions about the project may be asked by email, postal mail or by calling 651-259-5416. Any information submitted will be part of the public record. Individual comments will not receive a reply. The DNR will review feedback received during the comment period and make necessary modifications to the preliminary map. A revised map, now a provisional final map, will be submitted to the county and made available on the DNR's project webpage. Sign up for email updates on the project webpage to receive information as the project progresses.

*Link to additional information: *DNR Blue Earth County additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wes Saunders-Pearce <[email protected]>, 
651-259-5416

 

DNR proposes to update the Public Waters Inventory for Clay County

*Notice description: *The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on its proposal to update the Public Waters Inventory (PWI) for Clay County. In 2024, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minn. Stat. § 103G.201 (f) which directed the DNR to update the state's PWI. The DNR has prepared a map and list of preliminary corrections which will update the PWI for Clay County. The DNR is proposing a total of 9 public waters corrections including 9 additions and no removals in Clay County. The map and list of preliminary corrections can be viewed on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). The DNR will provide a 60-day public comment period and host a public meeting in the county to obtain feedback on the preliminary corrections.

*Public meeting date, time, location: *January 20, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Hjemkomst Center,
202 1st Avenue N, Moorhead, MN 56560
*Public meeting additional details:* The DNR will accept written comments on the preliminary corrections from December 20, 2025 until 4:30 p.m. February 19, 2026. Comments may be submitted online via the public comment tool on the PWI Update project webpage (mndnr.gov/pwi-update). Written comments may be submitted to Public Waters Inventory Update, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4025, or [email protected]. Comments cannot be submitted by phone. General questions about the project may be asked by email, postal mail or by calling 651-259-5416. Any information submitted will be part of the public record. Individual comments will not receive a reply. The DNR will review feedback received during the comment period and make necessary modifications to the preliminary map. A revised map, now a provisional final map, will be submitted to the county and made available on the DNR's project webpage. Sign up for email updates on the project webpage to receive information as the project progresses.

*Link to additional information: *DNR Clay County additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Wes Saunders-Pearce <[email protected]>, 
651-259-5416

 

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission - Annual Infrastructure Permitting Hearing

*Notice description: *On 12/9/2025, The Commission held the Annual Infrastructure Permitting Hearing under Minnesota Statute § 216I.15 - however, it was inadvertently missed that the notice was not submitted to the EQB Monitor. The 12/9/2025 recording of the hearing will be played at an additional, online only hearing via WebEx that will be held on December 29, 2025 at 10:30 AM. Information to join that meeting can be found on the PUC calendar on the date of the hearing, 12/9/2025, at: [link removed]. You can also find an updated version of the Notice in eDockets using the docket number 25-18, at: [link removed] You can also join the WebEx meeting using the login information below.

*Public meeting date, time, location: *December 29, 2025, 10:30 a.m., Online meeting
*Public meeting virtual link: *Join online meeting [ [link removed] ]
*Public meeting additional details:* Telephone: 1-855-282-6330
Event Password: PUC2025! (667820 when dialing from a phone)
Webinar Number: 2485 945 6472
Meeting video and audio are available via the internet. Logon five to 15 minutes before the meeting begins. You will be asked to join the meeting through a Webex application or through a plug-in for your web browser. You will be asked to enter your name and email address. Attendees will be muted. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment during the meeting, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. Your line will be unmuted, and you will be able to ask your question or make a comment. You may call in on your telephone and listen to the meeting. If you would like to ask a question or make a comment during the meeting, press *3 on your telephone. General information about attending a hearing using the WebEx platform can be found at: [link removed]
If you have questions about participating in the meeting or need assistance during the meeting, please contact Commission staff person Sam Lobby (details below).

**Link to additional information: **PUC infrastructure permitting additional information [ [link removed] ]

*Contact: *Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Sam Lobby <[email protected]>, 651-201-2205

 

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

*Environmental Quality Board | eqb.state.mn.us [ [link removed] ] *

Email: [email protected] | Phone: 651-757-2873

Facebook [ [link removed] ]   Twitter [ [link removed] ]   LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]   you tube [ [link removed] ] SUBSCRIBER SERVICES:
Manage Subscriptions [ [link removed] ]  |  Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]  |  Help [ [link removed] ]

Bookmark and Share [ [link removed] ]



body .abe-section-table {max-width:601px !important;} body .abe-column-block {min-height: 5px;} ________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Environmental Quality Board · 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]