Garvin Brook Habitat Enhancement Project
*This project notice was previously published in the September 22, 2026 EQB Monitor. The EAW was submitted for publication in error and is withdrawn; public comment will not be accepted. A revised project notice will be published at a later date.
Location (city/township; county): Winona; Winona
Process: EAW
Step: EAW submitted in error, withdrawn
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.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Stockton, Bethany Winchester,
507-689-2005
Location (city/township; county): Lakeville, Eureka Township; Dakota
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
Joint federal and state review: Yes
End of comment period: October 30, 2026
Project description: The project proposes to reconstruct the existing Runway 12/30 pavement, extend Runway 12/30 from 4,099 feet to 4,850 feet, minimize incompatible land uses, mitigate Runway 12/30 airspace penetrations requiring 30 tree removals, meet current FAA airport design standards, modify and/or replace visual navigational aids, expand the fixed base operator (FBO) apron, and relocate an existing stream to accommodate airport improvements.
Airlake Airport (LVN) Runway Extension and Associated Improvements project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) General Office, 6040 28th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55450
Public meeting date, time, location: October 5, 2026, 10:30 a.m., MSP Airport Conference Center (Terminal 1), 4300 Glumack Drive, St. Paul, MN 55111
Public meeting additional details: The MAC will hold the public hearing on October 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. during the MAC Planning, Development & Environment Committee Meeting. For instructions on how to obtain a concourse security pass to attend the meeting see MAC's meetings webpage.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Metropolitan Airports Commission,
Bridget Rief, 612-725-8371
Location (city/township; county): Maple Grove; Hennepin
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: October 29, 2026
Project description: North Memorial Health proposes to expand the existing Maple Grove Hospital campus located at 9875 Hospital Drive both vertically and horizontally (Project). The Project would include an addition of roughly 315,000 gross square feet (GSF), expanding the hospital campus to the north and west and increasing the height of the hospital campus to 8 stories.
Maple Grove Hospital Expansion Environmental Assessment Worksheet project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Maple Grove City Hall, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway,
Maple Grove, MN 55311
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Maple Grove, Peter Vickerman,
763-494-6046
Location (city/township; county): Rapidan Township; Blue Earth
Process: EAW
Step: EAW available
End of comment period: October 29, 2026
Project description: Rapidan Dam, owned by Blue Earth County (BEC), was built in 1910 on the Blue Earth River to produce electricity for the Mankato area. Flooding in 1965, 2019/2020, and 2024 damaged the dam, and electric generation has ceased. The Project would consist of removing the remaining dam structures, allowing the river to naturally re-establish, and stabilizing adjacent lands.
Rapidan Dam Removal Project project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Blue Earth County Government Center (2nd Floor),
410 S. 5th St., Mankato, MN 56001
Public meeting date, time, location: October 7, 2026, 7:00 p.m., Historic Courthouse (2nd Floor), 204 S 5th Street, Mankato, MN 56001
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Blue Earth County, Mark Manderfeld,
507-304-4262
Location (city/township; county): Hastings; Dakota
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: September 1, 2026
Project description: The project will reconstruct seven miles of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 54 from 18th Street in Hastings to CSAH 68. Improvements include correcting substandard curves, widening the roadway, and adding a roundabout at the current intersection of CSAH 54 and CSAH 68. Dakota County has included a 10-foot-wide multi-use trail to extend the Mississippi River Greenway and link Hastings to the Prairie Island Indian Community in this EAW to ensure impacts from the maximum disturbance alternative are appropriately evaluated. However, per County Board direction on June 16, 2026, it has been determined that this project would not include a multi-use trail.
Location of public documents: Dakota County, 14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley,
MN 55124
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Dakota County, Imran Ahmed,
952-891-7991
Location (city/township; county): La Grand Township; Douglas
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: September 15, 2026
Project description: Pazdernik Properties, LLC proposes an aggregate mine on 97-acres in La Grand Township, Douglas County, MN. Operations include excavation, screening, crushing, and stockpiling of materials. Proposed lifespan is 50 years, after which the site will be restored to a usable condition for agricultural production, forest management/recreational uses, and rural residential development.
Location of public documents: Douglas County Land & Resource Management Department, 305 8th Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Douglas County, David Rush, 320-762-3863
Location (city/township; county): Nininger Twp (to be annexed to Hastings); Dakota
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: September 21, 2026
Project description: The proposed project, Pleasant Valley Farms, is a new residential development in the City of Hastings, Minnesota. Pleasant Valley Farms will be built on approximately 158.0 acres and will be developed with up to 407 residential homes consisting of 341 single-family detached units and 66 townhomes. The development will also include a homeowners' association area, curvilinear roads, stormwater management areas, and open spaces. The City of Hastings and Nininger Township adopted a Joint Resolution for Orderly Annexation of property primarily owned by Conzemius Family Limited Partnership. Upon approval and sale of the property for development, the land will be transferred from Township to City jurisdiction.
Location of public documents: City of Hastings, 101 East 4th St, Hastings, Minnesota,
MN 55033
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Hastings, John Hinzman,
651-480-2378
Location (city/township; county): City of Shakopee; Scott
Process: AUAR update
Step: Revised AUAR
End of objection period (for state agencies and Met Council only): October 13, 2026
Project description: The Southern Shakopee Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) area is approximately 435 acres, located south of Valley View Road and west of Mystic Lake Drive, City of Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. The original AUAR was adopted in 2022 and evaluated two residential development scenarios. This AUAR update captures development that has occurred in the past five years, an update to the environmental analysis where necessary, and a review of mitigation measures.
Southern Shakopee AUAR Update project link provided by RGU
Location of public documents: Shakopee City Hall, 485 Gorman Street, Shakopee,
MN 55379
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Shakopee, Mark Noble,
952-233-9348
Location: Westbrook, Cottonwood
Process: Alternative review
Notice title: Notice of Public Hearings and Availability of Draft Permit (IP 6997/ESS-26-157)
Notice description: PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public hearings on Plum Creek Storage, LLC’s (Applicant) proposed project for an up to 200-megawatt (MW)/800-megawatt hour (MWh) battery energy storage system in Ann Township, Cottonwood County, Minnesota. The energy storage system will operate in conjunction with the previously permitted Plum Creek Wind Project.
Project description: In the Matter of the Application of Plum Creek Storage, LLC for a Site Permit for the up to 200 MW Plum Creek Battery Energy Storage System Project in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. You may find information on the project, including the application, the environmental assessment and the Commission’s draft permit, on the Commission’s project webpage and on the Commissions eDocket system: eDocket Number 26-157 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Westbrook Public Library, 556 1st Ave Westbrook,
MN 56183
First public meeting date, time, location: October 14, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Westbrook Community Center, 849 5th St., Westbrook, MN 56183
First public meeting additional details: The hearing ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation. Directions to Westbrook Community Center. 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 hearing. To find out if a hearing is canceled due to bad weather or other reason, call 1-855-731-6208 or visit the Commission's website.
Second public meeting date, time, location: October 15, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2499 120 2914
Webinar Password: Plum2026
Join by Phone: +1-415-655-0003
Toll Access Code: 2499 120 2914
If you are joining the hearing via WebEx and would like to ask a question or make a comment during the designated portion of the hearing, use the raised-hand function or the chat function to send a message to the hearing moderator. If you are joining the hearing 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 meetings webpage.
The hearing ends when all present attendees have commented or at 8:00 p.m., whichever comes first. Please arrive at the start time to ensure participation.
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Jacques Harvieux, 651-201-2233
