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): Vermillion Township; Dakota
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: March 19, 2026
Project description: Dakota Aggregates proposes to operate a sand and gravel mine at the Property located southeast of the intersection of 190th Street East and Clayton Avenue in Vermillion Township, Minnesota. The mine will include 94 acres of mining and related activities on a 144.85-acre site. The Site is currently cultivated agricultural land and will be restored as grassland with tree plantings.
Sobiech Pit project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Vermillion Township Town Hall, 118 Park Avenue S,
Vermillion, MN 55085
Location of public documents additional information: By appointment only. Contact Cynthia Ladzun to schedule.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Vermillion Township, Cynthia Ladzun,
651-491-6603
Location (city/township; county): Rice Lake; St. Louis
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: January 26, 2026
Project description: The project is a new utility service center to replace Minnesota Power's existing Herbert Service Center (HSC) in Duluth and provide more material storage space, more space to accommodate service vehicles, more space for employees, and address safety and security concerns at the existing site.
Location of public documents: City of Rice Lake, 4107 W Beyer Rd, Rice Lake, MN 55803
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Rice Lake, Carley Hungerford,
218-249-0947
Location (city/township; county): St. Michael; Wright
Process: Large AUAR
Step: Draft AUAR
End of comment period: March 19, 2026
Project description: The AUAR area includes one parcel that comprises approximately 137.7 acres in St. Michael, Wright County, Minnesota. The AUAR area is generally located west of Kadler Ave NE and north of Lake Wilhelm, and is bisected by Jamison Ave/17th St NE. The AUAR area has historically been used for agricultural purposes. Summergate Companies LLC (Proposer) is proposing to develop the AUAR area into a master planned residential development over the next few years. The concept plan and Development Scenario are consistent with the City's adopted comprehensive plan which guides the AUAR area for low-density residential development.
Location of public documents: City of St. Michael - City Hall, 11800 Town Center Drive NE, St. Michael, MN 55376
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Saint Michael, Marc Weigle,
763-416-7932
Location: Rutland Township, Martin
Process: Alternative review
Notice title: Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Environmental Assessment
Notice description: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the joint application of Lake Charlotte Solar, LLC for site permits for the proposed Lake Charlotte Solar Project, including an up to 150 megawatt alternating current (MWac) solar energy generating system, a 150 MWac battery energy storage system (BESS), and other associated facilities. The application was filed with the Commission on June 3, 2025. The Commission issued an environmental assessment (EA) for the project on February 11, 2026. The purpose of the EA is to provide information on the potential human and environmental impacts of the proposed project, and possible mitigations for identified impacts. The EA is available on the Commission's project webpage and on eDockets (see below).
Project description: Lake Charlotte Solar proposes to construct the Lake Charlotte Solar Facility and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), in Rutland Township, Martin County, Minnesota. The Solar Facility is proposed as a solar energy conversion facility with a 150-megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) nameplate capacity. The associated BESS will consist of a stand-alone structure with a 150 MW / 600-megawatt hour (MWh) nameplate capacity and ancillary support infrastructure. Project information is located in the Commission's eDocket system via eDocket Numbers 25-205 and 25-206.
Lake Charlotte Solar Project project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Martin County Library, 110 N Park St Fairmont, MN 56031
First public meeting date, time, location: February 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
First public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
First public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2484 987 5494
Webinar Password: MNPUC (66782 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330
Toll Free Access Code: 2484 987 5494
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 Commission's meeting webpage.
Second public meeting date, time, location: February 25, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Fairmont Event Center, 1201 Torgerson Drive, Fairmont, MN, 56031
Second public meeting additional details: Doors will open at 5pm for a pre-meeting hour. The meeting will run from 6pm to 9pm or until there are no questions or comments. 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.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Jessica Livingston, 651-539-1068
General notices
Notices published in this section may be required under Minnesota Statute or Rule.
Notice of Public Hearing & Availability of EA (Midwater BESS, ESS-24-294, TL-24-295)
*This general notice was previously published in the February 10, 2026 EQB Monitor with an incorrect date listed for the online meeting. The correct date is listed below.
Notice description: PUC Docket Number: IP-7138/ESS-24-294, IP-7138/TL-24-295 CAH Docket Number: 71-2500-40799 PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Midwater BESS, LLC's (Applicant) Battery Energy Storage Project in Freeborn County, Minnesota. The Commission will issue an environmental assessment for the project on February 20, 2026. 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. The EA is available on the Commission's website and at the Albert Lea Public Library located at 211 E Clark St, Albert Lea, MN 56007. Print copies of the EA are available from Commission staff upon request.
Public meeting date, time, location: March 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Glenville-Emmons High School, 230 5th St SE, Glenville, MN, 56036
Public meeting additional details: Doors will open one hour prior to the public hearing to allow attendees to review the application, project maps, and other materials for the proposed project, and to 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. The public hearing begins at 6:00pm and ends when all people interested in speaking have had an opportunity to comment, or at 9:00 p.m., whichever occurs first. Therefore, it is important to arrive at the start of the hearing to ensure participation. Map to the hearing location
Public meeting date, time, location: March 4, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2480 709 7141 Webinar Password: midwater2025 (64392838 from phones) Join by Phone: 1-855-282-6330 Toll Free Access Code: 2480 709 7141 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 Commission's meeting webpage.
Link to additional information: Midwater BESS additional information
Contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jim Sullivan, 651-539-1059
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 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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