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.
Harmony Group Data Center Project
Location: Hermantown, St. Louis County
Process: Petition
Step: Petition exempt from review
Notice description: On November 4, 2026, EQB received notice from the City of Hermantown (the designated responsible governmental unit) that environmental review has already been completed for the above-named project and therefore the petition will not be considered (Minn R. 4410.4600 Subp. 2 E).
Responsible governmental unit and contact: City of Hermantown, Eric Johnson,
218-729-3600
Hidden Acres Commercial Dog Boarding Facility
Location: Monticello, Wright County
Process: Petition
Step: EAW need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EAW ordered)
Responsible governmental unit decision date: Nov 3, 2026
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Wright County, Barry Rhineberger,
763-682-7338
Location (city/township; county): Saint Paul; Ramsey
Process: EAW
Step: EIS need decision
Responsible governmental unit decision: Negative (no EIS ordered)
Responsible governmental unit record of decision date: November 3, 2026
Project description: Wold Engineers and Architects is preparing plans and specifications for demolition of the Centennial Office Building at 658 Cedar St, Saint Paul, MN. The project includes full structure removal, including foundations and utilities serving the site. Municipal utilities removal will comply with City requirements to remove the service to the main. After demolition and site fill, the area will be converted into an open landscaped green space with an infiltration area. Work is scheduled for 2028.
Location of public documents: Department of Administration, 50 Sherburne Ave Ste 112, Saint Paul, MN 55155
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Department of Administration, Stacie Christensen, 651-201-2500
Location: Fergus Falls, Otter Tail
Process: Alternative review
Notice title: Notice of Complete Site and Route Permit Application and Public Information Meetings (26-313, 26-314)
Notice description: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) will hold public information meetings on Otter Tail Power’s proposed Hoot Lake Battery Energy Storage System and Transmission Line Project, which consists of an up to 125-megawatt (MW)/500 megawatt hour (MWh) alternating current Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and an associated up to 2,874 foot 115-kV transmission line. The purpose of the public meetings is to provide information about the proposed project and the state's permitting process, and to accept public comments. Public comments will help determine the need for and scope of an addendum to the environmental assessment included in the application, as well as the need for special permit conditions for draft permits.
Project description: Otter Tail Power Company proposes to construct and operate a battery energy storage system with a nominal power rating of up to 125-megawatt alternating current with approximately 500 megawatt-hours of energy capacity on a site consisting of approximately 68 acres owned by Otter Tail Power in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The project will connect to the existing Otter Tail Power Hoot Lake Substation via an approximately 2,874-foot, 115 kilovolt (kV) transmission line. The applicants anticipate construction starting in the third quarter of 2027, with commercial operations at the end of 2027. Additional information is on the Commission's project webpage and on the Commission’s eDocket system: eDocket Numbers 26-313 and 26-314 (enter the number and select “search”).
Location of public documents: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
121 7th Pl E Ste 350, Saint Paul, MN 55101
First public meeting date, time, location: November 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m.,
Bigwood Events Center, 921 Western Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
First public meeting additional details: 5:30 p.m. (doors open pre-meeting hour)
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (formal meeting)
Second public meeting date, time, location: November 18, 2026, 6:00 p.m., Online meeting
Second public meeting virtual link: Join online meeting
Second public meeting additional details: Webinar Number: 2496 848 6154
Webinar Password: HootLake26! (46685253 from phones)
Join by Phone: 1-415-655-0003
Access Code: 2496 848 6154
Responsible governmental unit and contact: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission,
Emily Johnson, 651-539-1023
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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