Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 27 enforcement cases totaling $527,491 in penalties during the third quarter of 2006. The cases occurred at facilities in 18 counties throughout Minnesota.

Minnesotans are invited to share their vision of the state's future environmental education planning efforts via the Internet, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced today.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking preliminary applications for grants to be used in the development of environmentally sustainable practices that prevent pollution and conserve resources. Both public and private organizations and partnerships are eligible. Preliminary applications are due Nov. 27, 2006.

This fall, keep your clean-up clean. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reminds you that following these five steps as you prepare for winter will keep Minnesota's out-of-doors as tidy and beautiful as your home and yard.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is hosting informational meetings in Breckenridge, Moorhead and Thief River Falls to describe the progress of projects underway to improve water quality in 25 reaches (portions) of 12 area rivers that are listed as impaired for turbidity. Turbidity refers to how clear water is. Biological processes in fish and other aquatic life can be affected by particles such as silt, sediment or algae in the water.

The BNSF Railway Company has agreed to pay a $70,675 civil penalty and take actions to prevent future permit violations at its rail yard in Dilworth as part of an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared for an ethanol facility proposed by US BioEnergy. The proposed facility would be located near Janesville. Interested parties may submit comments on the EAW until 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requests public comments on a draft report about fecal coliform bacteria pollution in the Chippewa River. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, is on public notice Oct. 9 through Nov. 7, 2006.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. agreed to pay a $40,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for allegedly violating a stormwater permit. The company will also pay $20,000 to the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) for stormwater improvements in the Miller Creek watershed.

Based on citizen feedback at a recent public meeting, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the public comment period on the Scoping Environmental Assessment Worksheet and draft Scoping Decision Document for the proposed Xcel Energy ash landfill project.

Minnesotans have a strong interest in learning how they can improve the environment and many will take action on that interest, according to attendance counts and surveys completed at the new Eco Experience exhibit co-sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota State Fair.

OSI Environmental Inc. of Milwaukee, Wis. has agreed to modify its procedures, retrain staff, and pay a $16,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) as a result of alleged hazardous waste violations at their Rosemount, Minn. facility.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement for a proposal by Olmsted County Public Works. The county proposes construction of a third municipal solid waste combustor at its Olmsted Waste-to-Energy facility in Rochester.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requests public comments on the draft "Total Maximum Daily Load Evaluation of Chloride Impairments in Shingle Creek." The report, known as a TMDL, is on public notice until Oct. 24, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet and draft wastewater discharge and air emissions permits for an ethanol facility proposed by VeraSun Energy Corporation. The proposed facility would be located near Welcome in Rolling Green Township. Interested parties may submit comments on the EAW until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, and on the draft permits until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2006.

Agriculture is the dominant land use in the Red River Valley. Runoff from fields can impair streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. That's why the Red River Basin Water Quality Team will be talking about the northwest Minnesota farm economy in Moorhead on Monday, Sept. 25.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will hold a public information meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, to discuss preliminary environmental review documents associated with the proposed Xcel Energy ash landfill.

After failing to meet a variety of pollution control requirements for its industrial wastewater treatment since January 2002, the Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative processing plant near Renville has agreed to make improvements and pay a $280,700 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

To help curb toxic pesticides and garden chemicals from running off lawns, down storm sewers and into Lake Superior, the Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education (EAGLE) and the Duluth Community Garden Program (DCGP) recently created the Safe Lawn and Garden Campaign to help northeastern Minnesota residents protect local water resources.

A public meeting will be held 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Lakeside Ballroom in Glenwood to provide information about a report on fecal coliform bacteria pollution in portions of the Chippewa River.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared environmental review scoping documents for a proposal by Xcel Energy to build and operate a landfill for disposal of coal ash from the A.S. King Electric Generating Plant. The public review period for these documents begins on Aug. 28, 2006, and will end on Oct. 12, 2006.

Governor Tim Pawlenty celebrated the opening of the Eco Experience Building at the Minnesota State Fair today by officially launching www.renewable.state.mn.us, a new state Web site that provides a one-stop shop for information on renewable energy from all over state government. The Web site is a cooperative effort of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

When you visit the Minnesota State Fair this summer, look up. In addition to the soaring, 123-foot-tall, commercial wind turbine blade planted at the entrance of the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Eco Experience, fairgoers can also get a look at a more humble, residential-variety of wind turbine recently acquired by Jerry Lilyerd of Mora.

Governor Tim Pawlenty will welcome fairgoers to the Eco Experience - the most comprehensive exhibit of green products and services in the state of Minnesota. He will be touring the building afterward.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently approved loans and grants in 2006 totaling more than $6.8 million for 24 local water-quality improvement projects. They range from conservation-type projects on the land to education and research.