Minnesota Environmental Quality Board

The Environmental Quality Board brings together the Governor’s Office (as chair), five citizens and the heads of nine state agencies that play a vital role in Minnesota’s environment and development. The board develops policy, creates long-range plans and reviews proposed projects that would significantly influence Minnesota’s environment.

Media releases

• Environmental Quality Board seeks comment regarding consideration of new wild rice rules: Public notice announcing opportunity for comments on rule amendments concerning genetically engineered wild rice. Comments due by 4:30 p.m., Monday, July 16, 2007, May 7, June 29, 2007. (Media release)
• State board presses for clean water, water-supply and wetlands initiatives: Environmental Quality Board adopts state water priorities, May 10, 2007. (Media release)
• Panel sees limits to state water supplies: State study finds metro counties near limits to sustainable water use, April 4, 2007. (Media release)

Notices

• Agendas and minutes: The Environmental Quality Board meets on the third Thursday of each month.
• EQB monitor: A bi-weekly publication announcing environmental review documents, public comment periods, and other actions of the Environmental Quality Board. | report details
• Calendar: A resource listing public meetings, hearings and deadlines for comment.
• EQB issues revised guidance documents: Updated versions of the Guide to Minnesota Environmental Review Rules, the EAW form, and AUAR Content and Format Guidance have been issued by the EQB and are available through this link. September 25, 2008 | Notice details
• Statement of Need and Reasonableness: Final Statement of Need and Reasonableness approved by EQB and signed by EQB Chair on September 27, 2007. Includes the text of proposed rule amendments approved by the EQB. | Notice details
• EQB Seeks Further Informal Comment on Definition and Use of Term : Public notice announcing additional opportunity for informal comments on proposed rule amendments concerning the definition of Cumulative Potential Effects | Notice details
• Customer satisfaction survey: Provide feedback on services provided by the Environmental Quality Board and board staff, March 6, 2006.   (HTML page) | Comment details

Ongoing projects and studies

• Water availability project: The Environmental Quality Board created a Water Availability Work Group in February 2008. (Project record)
• 2007 Energy Facility Permitting Annual Hearing: Documents from the 2007 Energy Facility Permitting annual hearing. PUC docket number: 07-1579. . (Project record)
• Clean Water Cabinet: The Environmental Quality Board works with and through Clean Water Cabinet to accomplish its water mission. (Project record)
• Biennial water priorities report: Minnesota Statutes directs the Environmental Quality Board to coordinate state water programs and develop a biennial water policy and priorities report. (Project record)
• Water sustainability biennial assessment: This assessment is used to create a framework for understanding potential constraints to future development through the routine estimation of water demand and its comparison to known supplies. (Project record)
• 2006 Energy Facility Permitting Annual Hearing: Documents from the 2006 Energy Facility Permitting annual hearing. PUC docket number: 06-1733 . (Project record)
• Amending the Environmental Review program rules - Phase 2: On June 15, 2006, the Environmental Quality Board authorized issuance of a Request for Comments on possible “Phase 2” amendments to the Environmental Review program rules. (Project record)
• 2005 Energy Facility Permitting Annual Hearing: Documents from the 2005 Energy Facility Permitting Annual Hearing. No PUC docket established. . (Project record)
• Study of environmental review: Evaluation of the Environmental Review Program to ensure it meets its goals in a way that balances administrative burden and public benefit. (Project record)
• Generic Environmental Impact Statement for animal agriculture: Study of effect of feedlots. (Project record)
• State water plan: The Environmental Quality Board is charged with initiating, coordinating, and developing a comprehensive long-range water resources planning report, to be completed every 10 years. (Project record)

Completed projects and studies

Environmental Quality Board, 658 Cedar St., Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55155