The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment on a proposal from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) to replace a wastewater lift station intended to accommodate future population growth in the northwest region of the metro area.
Currently, MCES is permitted to process 43 million gallons of wastewater per day at its current lift station in Brooklyn Park. MCES has proposed to construct a new lift station along the Mississippi River in Fridley that can process up to 67 million gallons of wastewater per day, decommission the existing lift station across the Mississippi River in Brooklyn Park, and rehabilitate the pipes crossing the Mississippi River. The lift station moves wastewater from different elevations and contains monitoring equipment, odor control equipment, and backup power to maintain service. The new lift station will help send wastewater to be treated at the MCES water resource recovery facility located in Saint Paul.
Comment on the draft documents
The public is encouraged to comment on draft documents for environmental review that are open for public comment for 30 days starting Tuesday, Aug. 11.
MCES outlined the proposal in an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) that it submitted to the MPCA for review. An EAW is a short document designed to lay out a project’s basic facts and assess its potential for significant environmental effects. The MPCA uses the EAW, public comments received, permit applications, and other relevant information to decide next steps for a project, including whether additional environmental review is required.
Those who wish to comment on the EAW should consider the EAW’s accuracy, potential impacts from the project that warrant further investigation, or the need for further environmental review. The public can review the draft EAW and submit public comments by visiting the Engagement HQ portal on the MPCA website. The EAW will be available for comments from Aug. 11 to Sept. 10, 2026.
After the public comment period ends, the agency will review all comments and determine whether additional environmental review is necessary. If the agency determines there is no need for additional environmental review, the project will proceed through permitting.
During the Walz administration, the MPCA has completed 50 EAWs, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to protecting human health and the environment while enforcing state law.