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.
Location (city/township; county): Rochester; Olmsted
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: February 5, 2026
Project description: The Rochester Regional Sports and Recreation Complex will transform 170 acres in Rochester, Minnesota, into a multi-phase outdoor and indoor facility with fields, courts, trails, and community spaces. Phase 1 includes turf fields and amenities; Phase 2 adds a large indoor center. Future plans support commercial and residential development.
Rochester Regional Sports and Recreation Complex 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): Forest Lake; Washington
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: February 5, 2026
Project description: Timm's Marina proposes to add two new non-permanent slip docks to the existing marina in Forest Lake, Minnesota. The new docks would provide an additional 72 boat slips on Forest Lake and increase the size of on-water marina operations by approximately 1.48 acres (including boat slips, docks, and boat navigation areas).
Location of public documents: City of Forest Lake, 1408 Lake St S, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Forest Lake, Steven Gilmore,
651-209-9724
Location (city/township; county): Brainerd; Crow Wing
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: December 15, 2025
Project description: The Voyageur Heights Apartments project (hereafter referred to as "Project") is proposed on 49 acres and will be constructed in two phases. The Project includes five buildings with 38 units per building for a total of 190 multifamily housing units along with complimentary interior and exterior amenity spaces, and park/open space areas with public amenities. The main entrance will be from Greenwood Street.
Voyageur Heights Apartment Project project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: City Hall, 501 Laurel Street, Brainerd, MN 56401
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Brainerd, James Kramvik,
218-454-3408
Location (city/township; county): Minneapolis and St. Paul; Hennepin, Ramsey
Process: EIS
Step: EIS Scoping EAW and Draft Scoping Decision
End of comment period: March 9, 2026
Project description: MnDOT is providing notice of the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for Rethinking I-94. The agency will be preparing a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for improvements on a 7.5-mile length of I-94 between the I-35W and Hwy 55 interchange in Minneapolis and Marion Street in St. Paul.
The Tier 1 EIS will analyze the program area on a broad scale and identify a preferred design for the I-94 mainline and will identify alternatives where access changes are proposed. Potential impacts will be identified around these locations. A program of construction projects will be identified for future environmental documents.
Federal environmental review documents for this project are available as a separate document and has been published as a General Notice. Additional information about the project is available in the Scoping Document (SD), which is available as a separate document. While the SD and EAW have similar information, there are slight differences in the social, economic, and environmental content. Documents can be downloaded from the project website, which also lists locations for in-person review and methods for providing comments.
Rethinking I-94 project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: MnDOT Metro District Office, 1500 County Road B2 W,
Roseville, MN 55113
First public meeting date, time, location: January 29, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Wilder Center,
451 Lexington Parkway N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
First public meeting additional details: Meeting duration: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Second public meeting date, time, location: February 4, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Registration is required for the virtual meeting and can be submitted on the project website: https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/rethinking-i94/news_feed/meetings. Meeting duration: 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Department of Transportation - Metro District, Mark Lindeberg, 651-775-5485
Location (city/township; county): Carver; Carver
Process: Large AUAR
Step: Final order for review
Project description: Southwest growth area in Carver - 1,500 acres with the potential for 5,075-6,075 residential units.
Location of public documents: City of Carver, 316 Broadway, Carver, MN 55315
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Carver, Erin Smith, 952-448-8743
Location (city/township; county): Chaska; Carver
Process: Large AUAR
Step: Draft AUAR
End of comment period: February 5, 2026
Project description: The AUAR study area encompasses an area totaling approximately 359 acres on 17 parcels in the City of Chaska and Dahlgren Township, Carver County, Minnesota. The study area is located northwest of Chaska Boulevard and US 212. Two parcels within the AUAR study area are located within Dahlgren Township; these parcels are intended to be annexed into the City of Chaska. Two development scenarios are proposed to be evaluated in the AUAR. Scenario 1 and Scenario 2 both include Business Park (industrial/office) and Commercial land uses.
Location of public documents: Chaska City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Chaska, MN 55318
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Chaska, Elizabeth Hanson,
952-448-9200
Location (city/township; county): Monticello Township; Wright
Process: Large AUAR
Step: Revised AUAR
End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): January 21, 2026
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
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Monticello, Angela Schumann,
763-271-3224
Location (city/township; county): Prior Lake; Scott
Process: AUAR
Step: Draft AUAR
End of comment period: February 5, 2026
Project description: The Prior Lake Annexation Area AUAR study area encompasses approximately 2,730 acres located in the southwest corner of Prior Lake, Scott County, Minnesota. The study area includes the Orderly Annexation Area of Spring Lake Township as well as adjacent areas within the City of Prior Lake. Two development scenarios are being studied. Scenario 1 is consistent with the land uses in the existing comprehensive plan and Scenario 2 involves a higher density of residential development. Both scenarios also include varying amounts of retail, business park, and industrial development.
Location of public documents: Prior Lake City Hall, 4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake,
MN 55372
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Prior Lake, Jason Wedel,
952-447-9815
Location (city/township; county): Trimont; Martin
Process: Alternative review
End of comment period: January 26, 2026
Notice title: Notice of Complete Route Permit Application and Public Information Meetings
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information and scoping meetings on the application of Big Bend Wind, LLC and Great River Energy (GRE) (applicants) for a route permit for a 161 kV high voltage transmission line and associated facilities (Extension Project) in Martin County, Minnesota. The applicants propose to construct a new 4.5-mile 161 kilovolt (kV) single-circuit transmission line and associated facilities, including new substations, to connect the Big Bend Wind Project to GRE’s Lakefield Generating Substation, which is associated with GRE’s Lakefield Junction Station, a natural-gas-fired generating plant in Martin County (map attached). The applicants indicate that the project will require a right-of-way of 100 feet when the transmission line follows parcel lines and a 150-foot-wide easement when adjacent to road right-of-way.
Project description: Big Bend Wind, LLC and Great River Energy (GRE) (applicants) propose to construct a new 4.5-mile 161 kilovolt (kV) single-circuit transmission line and associated facilities, including new substations, to connect the Big Bend Wind Project to GRE's Lakefield Generating Substation in Martin County. The applicants request generally a route width of 200 to 635 feet, with up to 1,731 feet on GRE-owned property. The applicants indicate that the project will require a right-of-way of 100 feet when the transmission line follows parcel lines and a 150-foot-wide easement when adjacent to road right-of-way. Structures utilized for the Project will be 70- to 120-foot-tall steel or laminate wood structures with spans of approximately 600 to 800 feet. Big Bend Wind has secured 100 percent of the easements for the Project right-of-way. The applicants anticipate construction to begin in July 2026 with an in-service date of March 2028.
25-389 Big Bend Wind 161-kV Transmission Line Extension Project in Martin County, MN project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Windom Public Library, 904 4th Ave Windom, MN 56101
First public meeting date, time, location: January 13, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Windom
Community Center, 1750 Cottonwood Lake Dr, Windom, MN 56101
First public meeting additional details: 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Open House 6:00 p.m. Meeting The meeting ends when all attendees have commented or at 9:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to the 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 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. Note: If there is inclement weather on January 13, 2026, and the Commission cancels the meeting, we have scheduled a backup meeting for January 20, 2026, at the same location (Windom Community Center) from 5:30pm - 9:00pm. This notice serves as the notice for both meetings. 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. Commission staff will facilitate the meeting. The purpose of the meeting, as outlined in Chapter 216I, includes the following: provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, accept public comments on the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment (EA), describe the sample site permit for high voltage transmission line projects, and explain how the applicants will be required to construct and operate the project in accordance with all conditions of the permit, if issued, respond to questions raised by the public. At this time, any verbal comments you make will become a part of the record. You may also submit written comments for the record.
Second public meeting date, time, location: January 14, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2504 925 8933
Webinar Password: MNPUC (66782 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Access Code: 2504 925 8933
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. The meeting ends when all attendees have commented or at 9:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. Commission staff will facilitate the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting, as outlined in Chapter 216I, includes the following: provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, accept public comments on the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment (EA), describe the sample site permit for high voltage transmission line projects, and explain how the applicants will be required to construct and operate the project in accordance with all conditions of the permit, if issued, respond to questions raised by the public. At this time, any verbal comments you make will become a part of the record. You may also submit written comments for the record.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Cezar Panait, 651-201-2207
General notices
Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.
Rethinking I-94
Notice description: MnDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are providing notice of the Scoping Document and Draft Scoping Decision Document (SD/DSDD) for Rethinking I-94. The agencies will be preparing a Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for improvements on a 7.5-mile length of I-94 between the I-35W and Hwy 55 interchange in Minneapolis and Marion Street in St. Paul.
The Tier 1 EIS, which begins after scoping is completed, will analyze the program area on a broad scale and identify a preferred design for the I-94 mainline and will identify alternatives where access changes are proposed. Potential impacts will be identified around these locations. A program of construction projects will be identified for future environmental documents.
A scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for this project is available as a separate document. While the SD and EAW have similar information, there are slight differences in the social, economic, and environmental content. The public has 60 days, from Jan. 6, 2026, to March 9, 2026, to review and make comments on the SD/DSDD. Documents can be downloaded from the project website, which also lists locations for in-person review and methods for providing comments: https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/rethinking-i94
First public meeting date, time, location: January 29, 2026, 5:30 p.m., Wilder Center,
451 Lexington Parkway N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
First public meeting additional details: Meeting duration: 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Second public meeting date, time, location: February 4, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Public meeting additional details: Registration is required for the virtual meeting and can be submitted on the project website at https://talk.dot.state.mn.us/rethinking-i94/news_feed/meetings. Meeting duration: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Link to additional information: Rethinking I-94 additional information
Contact: Minnesota Department of Transportation - Metro District, Mark Lindeberg,
651-775-5485
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.
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Date
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Location
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County
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Waterbody
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Species
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Count
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12/17/2025
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Wayzata
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Hennepin
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Lake Minnetonka-Grays Bay
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Carp, Northern Pike
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1000
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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 EQB.Monitor@state.mn.us.
For more information on environmental review, please visit the EQB website or contact us at env.review@state.mn.us.
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