Public Notices - Minnesota and Wisconsin

  • RFD II, LLC WETLAND COMPENSATORY MITIGATION BANK PROPOSAL

    Expiration date: 6/6/2026

    The proposal is to add a 10.36-acre parcel directly east of the existing 35.36-acre RFD II Mitigation Bank Site. The bank site was initially approved on November 20, 2020, and modified on June 5, 2024. The overall objective of the initial bank project was to restore wetlands and upland buffer to generate approximately 25.29 wetland credits as a source of mitigation for impacts authorized by state and federal regulatory programs. Specific objectives of the initial bank project included restoring wetland hydrology to effectively drained wetlands by disabling subsurface drain tiles, re-establishing wetland and upland communities with native, non-invasive plant communities, and improving the water quality, stormwater attenuation, groundwater recharge, and habitat functions of the site. The objective for the new parcel, identified as “Phase II”, will be to restore native vegetation to both wetland and upland plant communities to generate approximately 5.57 additional wetland credits. Vegetative restoration would require removal of the herbaceous layer and weedy/invasive shrubs and trees and seeding with native wetland seed mix. The wetland within Phase II is part of a contiguous wetland complex that may have been previously influenced by the hydrology restoration that was completed for the initial bank site.

  • Cascade Mill Pond Dam Removal

    Expiration date: 5/21/2026

    The applicant is requesting a DA permit to remove the existing Millpond Dam and restore approximately 1,200 linear feet of stream channel to reconnect high-quality cold-water habitat. The entire above-ground portion of the dam would be dismantled and removed from the site, and any subsurface footings or structural remnants would be excavated to a verified elevation below the proposed restored streambed to ensure they do not interfere with channel function. The regulated activities associated with the proposed project includes the permanent discharge of dredged and fill material into 700 square feet below the plane of the Ordinary High Water Mark of the Millpond for the purpose of removing a dam to improve stream connectivity and the permanent discharge of dredged and fill material into 7.09 acres below the plane of the Ordinary High Water Mark of the Millpond, along approximately 1,200 linear feet, for the purpose of stream restoration.

  • Special Public Notice- 2025 Banking Listening Sessions After Action Report

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District Regulatory Division (USACE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin DNR) are announcing the release of the After-Action Report for the 2025 Banking Listening Sessions held on September 3, 2025 (Wisconsin) and September 17, 2025 (Minnesota). The agencies have developed an After-Action Report as one combined document for both states.

  • Swedish Immigrant Trail Project

    Expiration date: 5/15/2026

    The applicant is requesting a DA permit to construct approximately 2.5 miles of a 10-foot-wide bituminous multi-use pathway that would connect to other segments of the existing trail corridor to form one continuous pathway. The trail segment would be located predominantly along an existing abandoned railroad line, cultivated agricultural farm fields, and small sections of City and County owned road rights-of-ways. The project follows the MNDOT bikeway facility design manual, as well as the United States Access Board guidelines for outdoor developed areas. These facilities by design are readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities. The construction plan details proposed work that includes the following: mobilization, tree clearing, grubbing, adding topsoil mix, aggregate base class 5, culverts, and bituminous pavement. The placement of geotextile fabric, silt fencing, pipe culverts and traffic controls will also be installed along the route. Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2026. The duration of construction activities will be approximately 4-7 months from start to finish with any proposed tree removal or disturbance concluding before the end of March 2027 timeframe.

  • Bradford Park Residential Development (Phase 2)

    Expiration date: 5/15/2026

    The applicant requests authorization to construct phase 2 and future phases of the Bradford Park residential development. The type of work proposed for this project includes grading, excavating, and discharging fill material into wetlands to construct single-family homes, public roads, site amenities, storm water facilities, and a park area. The residential development is split into a western and eastern side by two large shallow marsh wetlands. Portions of the residential development have already been constructed on the western side of the development. The applicant plans to connect the western side to the eastern side through a 24-foot-wide road crossing. The roadway leading up to the crossing from the eastern side would be connected to Cleveland Street Northwest. Before reaching the bridge, the roadway would divert north into a small cul de sac and south to the other parts of the neighborhood. After extending south, the road would eventually lead east again reconnecting to Cleveland Street Northwest. Four cul de sacs are planned to be incorporated into the southeastern section of the residential development with multiple storm water ponds built amongst the houses. The applicant plans to construct 232 single family homes for Phase 2 and the remaining future phases. A recreational trail is also proposed to be constructed within the residential development that would wrap around the two shallow marsh wetlands. Staging areas, grading, and the use of BMPs are planned to be utilized during construction.

  • City of Carver Levee Improvements

    Expiration date: 5/13/2026

    The basic purpose of this project, as determined by the Corps, is levee improvements and bank stabilization. The overall purpose of this project is to bring the existing Carver Levee up to current Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certification levels, protect the Minnesota Riverbank, protect city infrastructure, and protect the historic district. Construction is anticipated to vary widely across the project limits. The applicant requests authorization to temporary impact to Spring Creek is 425-lf (0.19-ac) for the realignment and concrete lining of the channel. Impacts to Tributary 2 total 40-lf (0.02-ac) of permanent impact and 20-lf (0.01-ac) of temporary impact. These impacts are due to levee grading and utility replacement. Permanent impact to wetlands along the levee totals 0.43-ac. These impacts are due to the levee grading, flattening slopes and shifting the levee riverward to accommodate 15-ft clear zones along the landside of the levee. Temporary impact to wetlands along the levee total 0.46- ac. These impacts are due to disturbances from tree clearing and utility relocations. The proposed total permanent impact to the Minnesota River totals 669-lf (1.14-ac). These impacts are due to levee grading, riprap, and bendway weirs. The proposed temporary impacts to the river total 70-lf (0.13-ac) due to equipment access.

  • Lower Sugar River Floodplain Wetland Bank

    Expiration date: 5/21/2026

    The sponsor is proposing to restore and enhance 39 acres of sedge meadow/wet prairie, 18.8 acres of shallow marsh, 7 acres of deep marsh, and 14 acres of shrub-carr wetland communities on approximately 102 acres of land within the proposed Lower Sugar River Wetland Mitigation Bank site. The site has been partially drained by ditches and a tile system and is currently in an agricultural use. The sponsor proposes to disable the tile system and remove a berm to restore hydrology and establish native vegetation in all upland and wetland communities.

  • 2026 Nationwide Permits (NWP) Background and Updates

    Expiration date: 2/27/2027

    In the June 18, 2025, issue of the Federal Register (90 FR 26100), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published its proposal to reissue 56 existing NWPs, to issue one new NWP, and not to reissue one NWP. To solicit comments on its proposed regional conditions for these NWPs and proposed revocation of certain NWPs within Minnesota and Wisconsin, the St Paul District issued a public notice on June 18, 2025. The St. Paul District’s public notice sought to solicit comment on the District’s proposal to (re)issue 43 NWPs and associated regional conditions and revoke 14 NWPs within Minnesota and Wisconsin. In the final action published in the Federal Register on January 8, 2026 (91 FR 768), the Corps reissued 56 existing NWPs and issued one new NWP. In that final action, the Corps also reissued the NWP general conditions and definitions. Those NWPs and the NWP general conditions and definitions are effective March 15, 2026. The NWPs will expire on March 15, 2031. After the issuance of the final NWPs, the St. Paul District considered the need for regional conditions for these NWPs. On March 16, 2026, when the 2026 NWPs go into effect, the St. Paul District will authorize activities under the following 2021 NWPs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 51, 52, 53, 54, 59, and 60. The 2026 regional conditions, water quality certifications, and CZMA consistency decisions applicable to these 2026 NWPs are provided in this public notice and are outlined in the enclosures to this document.

  • 2020-00260 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Issues Validated Permit to Enbridge Energy for Line 5 Wisconsin Segment Relocation

    The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Paul District has issued a validated permit to Enbridge Energy to cross the White River, permanently discharge fill material into 998 square feet of wetlands, and temporarily discharge dredged and fill materials into 101.1 acres of wetlands and 0.20 acres of non-wetland waters for the construction of the Line 5 Wisconsin segment relocation. The project is located in parts of Bayfield, Ashland and Iron Counties, Wisconsin.

  • ANNOUNCEMENT OF RELEASE OF THE WISCONSIN GUIDELINES VERSION 2

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers St. Paul District Regulatory Division (Corps) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (Wisconsin DNR) are announcing the official release of the Wisconsin Guidelines, Version 2 (Wisconsin Guidelines). The agencies have developed the Wisconsin Guidelines as two documents, one tailored for sponsors titled Procedures for Developing Wetland Compensatory Mitigation Sites in Wisconsin and the second for applicants/permittees titled Procedures for Project Proponents on Compensatory Mitigation Requirements in Wisconsin.