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): Winona; Winona
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: October 22, 2026
Project description: Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) proposes to conduct a stream habitat enhancement project at Garvin Brook located in Stockton, Winona County, MN to address floodplain abandonment, channel incision, and degraded instream habitat to enhance the ecological and hydrologic functions of the creek and adjacent floodplain. The project will include reconnecting the creek with the floodplain, reshaping eroded stream banks, installing rock riffles to expand aquatic habitat and limit channel incision, installing woody material, and boulders for instream habitat, and planting native riparian vegetation. The project area occurs in the Garvin Brook Aquatic Management Area (AMA), and the MN Department of Natural Resources owns an angling easement along the creek within the project boundary. MNTU secured funding for the project through the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund Program.
Garvin Brook Habitat Enhancement Project project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: City of Stockton, 8600 North D Street, Stockton,
MN 55987
Public meeting date, time, location: October 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., City of Stockton,
8600 N. D Street, Winona, MN 55987
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Stockton, Bethany Winchester,
507-689-2005
Location (city/township; county): Otsego; Wright
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: October 22, 2026
Project description: Darkenwald Corporation (Proposer) proposes to develop three parcels totaling 137 acres in Otsego, MN (RGU). The project will include 431 residential units, 34,000 sq. ft. of institutional space, and 60,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Phase One includes 122 single family homes. Phases Two will include the commercial, multifamily, and senior living campus facilities. Construction of the project is planned to start 2026 with Phase One and will continue for the next 5 to 8 years.
Location of public documents: Otsego City Hall, 13400 90th St NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Public meeting date, time, location: October 26, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Otsego Prairie Center, 8899 Nashua Avenue NE, Otsego, MN 55330
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Otsego, D. Daniel Licht,
763-441-4414
Location (city/township; county): Duluth; Saint Louis
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: October 22, 2026
Project description: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes the Tallas Bay Mitigation Project in Duluth, Minnesota. The project would mechanically dredge shallow areas of Tallas Bay between Knowlton Creek and Tallas Island to remove excess sediment, increase depth diversity and wetland connectivity, improve fish and coastal wetland habitat, and facilitate recreational access.
Location of public documents: City Hall, 411 W 1st St, Duluth, MN 55802
Public meeting date, time, location: October 15, 2026, 5:00 p.m., City Council Chambers, Room 330 (3rd floor) of Duluth City Hall, 411 W. First Street, Duluth, MN 55802
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Duluth, Jason Mozol, 218-730-5331
Location (city/township; county): Lake Sarah Township; Murray
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: September 10, 2026
Project description: Minnesota DNR proposes to restore a channelized stream and create and restore wetland habitat within the Skandia Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The channel within this segment of the WMA was historically straightened (channelized) to accommodate agricultural activities. The proposed project will restore stream sinuosity via re-meandering to improve water quality, habitat, and floodplain connectivity.
Skandia WMA Stream and Wetland Restoration project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Rd N,
St. Paul, MN 55155
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Environmental Review Unit, Yvette Gault, 651-259-5101
Location: La Grand Township, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin
Process: Alternative review
End of comment period: October 27, 2026
Notice title: Notice of Public Hearings, Availability of Environmental Report, and Public Comment Period (PUC Docket Number E002, ET2, E015, E017, ET6135/TL-09-1056, CN-25-116. OAH Docket Number 50-2500-41816)
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Court of Administrative Hearing (CAH) and the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on the certificate of need application and the application for a route permit amendment filed by Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy (Xcel Energy), along with Great River Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail), and Missouri River Energy Services, on behalf of Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (Western Minnesota), (collectively, the Applicants) for their proposed Bison to Alexandria Second Circuit 345 kV Transmission Line Project.
Project description: The Applicants propose to add approximately 100 miles of a second 345 kV transmission circuit on existing double-circuit capable transmission structures between the existing Alexandria Substation in Alexandria, Minnesota, in Douglas County and the Minnesota/North Dakota border in Holy Cross Township, Clay County (Project). The existing 345 kV structures were previously permitted and constructed as double-circuit capable as part of the CapX2020 Fargo-St. Cloud 345 kV Transmission Project. The Project will be located within the existing 150-foot transmission line right-of-way (ROW). While the Project largely consists of adding a second 345 kV circuit to the existing double-circuit transmission line structures, an estimated 107 new monopole structures, including 86 within Minnesota are planned for specific locations along the route to accommodate required turns and highway crossings. Additional information can be found on the Commission's project webpage and on the Commissions eDocket system: eDocket Number 25-116 and 09-1056 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101
First public meeting date, time, location: October 6, 2026, 11:00 a.m., Barnesville Event Center, 101 2nd St SE, Barnesville, MN 56514
Second public meeting date, time, location: October 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Bigwood Events Center, 921 Western Ave, Fergus Falls, MN, 56537
Second public meeting additional details: The hearings end when all present attendees have commented or at the indicated end time, whichever comes first. Please arrive at the meeting start time to ensure participation.
Third public meeting date, time, location: October 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Third public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Third public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2481 669 4252
Webinar Password: MNPUC (66782 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0003
Access Code: 2481 669 4252
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 raised-hand function or the chat function 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 Commission's meetings webpage.
Fourth public meeting date, time, location: October 7, 2026, 11:00 p.m., Broadway Ballroom Event Center, 115 30th Ave E, Alexandria, MN, 56308
All public meetings additional information: The public hearings will be presided over by the Honorable Judge Nicholas Lienesch, an administrative law judge with the Court of Administrative Hearings, who will provide the Commission with a summary of the public testimony received at the hearings and during the post-hearing comment period. The purpose of the public hearings is to obtain public input on the proposed project and compile the record for the Commission to consider in making a final decision on the certificate of need and route permit amendment applications. Specifically, interested persons will have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of state staff and the applicant; (2) offer oral and written comments on the merits of the proposed project; and (3) suggest possible conditions to be considered for the route permit amendment.
Comments received at the hearings and during the comment period will be used to inform the record and help the Commission make its final decisions. The information presented will be the same at all in-person and online hearings. The hearings will end when all present attendees have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded, or at the scheduled end time of the hearing, whichever occurs first. Accordingly, it is recommended that all interested persons arrive at the scheduled start time. Members of the public may participate without the necessity of intervening as a party; representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required. Written comments will be accepted through October 27, 2026, by 4:30 p.m.
Be sure to include docket numbers 25-116 and 09-1056 in all communications. Topics for Comment: Should the Commission grant a certificate of need for the proposed transmission line project? Should the Commission issue an amended route permit? If granted, what additional conditions or requirements should be included in the route permit?
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Cezar Panait, 651-201-2207
Location: Clear Lake, Sherburne
Process: Alternative review
End of comment period: October 20, 2026
Notice title: Notice of Complete Permit Application and Public Information Meetings (E002/GS-26-213; E002/TL-26-214)
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) has determined that the joint site and route permit application of Northern States Power Company d/b/a Xcel Energy (Xcel Energy) is sufficiently complete to begin the permitting review process. The Commission will hold public information and scoping meetings for the Sherco Solar 4 Project (Project).
Project description: The Project consists of an up to 200 MW AC solar energy generating system and associated facilities (solar facility) and approximately 2.7-miles of 345 kV single-circuit high voltage transmission line and a new switching station (collectively, the transmission facility) to connect the solar facility to the transmission grid along the future Minnesota Energy Connection transmission line. The solar facility would be located north of the city limits of Clear Lake, Minnesota on a site of 1,161 acres with permanent project infrastructure occupying approximately 1,013 acres. The transmission line would require a 150-foot right-of-way (ROW) and would be located within a route width of approximately 420 to 660 feet with wider areas at endpoints to facilitate interconnection facilities. Additional information can be found on the Commission's project webpage and on the Commissions eDocket system: eDocket Number 26-213 and 26-214 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 Saint Paul, MN 55101
First public meeting date, time, location: October 6, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Holiday Inn & Suites St. Cloud, 75 37th Ave, St. Cloud, MN, 56301
First public meeting additional information: 5:00 p.m. open house, 6:00 p.m. meeting. The meeting ends when all attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation.
Second public meeting date, time, location: October 7, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2496 788 1987
Webinar Password: MnPUC! (667820 when dialing from a phone or video system)
Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0003
Access Code: 2496 788 1987
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Saarah Maxon, 651-201-2200
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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9/10/2026
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Clearwater
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Wright
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Limestone Lake
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Bluegill, Crappie
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500
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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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