Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Does your family's visit to the State Fair typically include splitting up and rendezvousing later in the day? Well this year, schedule your meet-up at one of the most kid-friendly buildings on the fairgrounds, the Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's new Eco Experience. It's certainly easy to find: Just look for the fair's newest piece of eco-sculpture, a 123-foot white wind turbine blade mounted vertically out front.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 35 enforcement cases totaling $226,010 in penalties during the second quarter of 2006. The cases occurred at facilities in 25 counties throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a sanitary sewer main trunk line beneath the proposed Water View Business Park in southeast Willmar. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Sept. 13, 2006.

With gas prices climbing to more than $3.00 a gallon this summer, "green" vehicles are becoming an attractive option. And the Eco Experience at this year's State Fair will feature a variety of cool alternative vehicles and fuels.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed new solid waste transfer facility near Fergus Falls. The public may review the EAW and submit written comments to the MPCA during a 30-day comment period that ends Sept. 13, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet that has been prepared for proposed construction of the Victoria and St. Bonifacius Area wastewater interceptor. The draft EAW is open for public comment until 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2006.

In late August, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will conduct six public input meetings to update its state environmental education plan, A GreenPrint for Minnesota, 3rd Edition. The resulting document will be published in September 2007.

As fairgoers start to dream of the latest food "on-a-stick" to boost their energy, come Friday the Eco Experience at the 2006 Minnesota State Fair will be home to a different sort of energy on-a- stick. Minneapolis-based Windustry has worked with the fair to coordinate the first-ever vertical installation of this type of full-size wind turbine blade. The 123-foot-tall, 15,000-pound blade will be lowered into place using a special crane on the fairgrounds in front of the Progress Center building on Friday, August 11, at approximately 11 a.m.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Winona Excavating Company Inc., Michael's Demolition and Recycling Inc. and their principals, David Griffin and Michael Andring, all of the Winona area, $100,000 for violating a court order prohibiting the company from performing demolition work and for submitting numerous false notifications to the MPCA.

New this year, the Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are pleased to announce the grand opening of the Eco Experience at the 2006 Great Minnesota Get-Together, Aug. 24 through Sept. 4.

Under two separate actions with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), a manufacturer of electric motors in Montevideo is working to clean up soil and ground water contamination at its facility, and correcting other hazardous waste management violations that resulted in a $20,000 penalty.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has agreed to pay the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) a civil penalty of $10,000 and place $90,000 into an escrow account for alleged wastewater permit violations at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The DNR also agreed to spend an additional $25,000 to produce a related educational video.

Under an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Central Soils Remediation of Belle Plaine, doing business as AB Environmental, must pay a civil penalty of $19,000 for alleged air quality permit violations discovered by the MPCA.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed new wastewater treatment system for the city of Hancock. The public may review the EAW and submit written comments to the MPCA during a 30-day comment period that ends Aug. 31, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine production facility about six miles southwest of Clinton in Big Stone County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality, and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Aug. 30, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed new finishing hog facility near Edgerton in Section 35 of Osborne Township in Pipestone County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Aug. 30, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the expansion of an existing finishing hog facility about 10 miles west of Madison in Section 24 of Cerro Gordo Township in Lac qui Parle County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through August 30, 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposed expansion of the city of Becker's wastewater treatment facility in Sherburne County.

Minnesota and North Dakota agencies are investigating what caused more than 500 fish to die in the Red River north of Fargo. The fish kill was seen Thursday near Cass County Highway 22, north of Fargo-Moorhead.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has penalized Smith Foundry Company $13,871 for alleged air quality and air permit violations at its facility in south Minneapolis.

Pine Point Elementary on the White Earth Reservation, Houston Public Schools and Hutchinson High School took part in a recently finished pilot project to develop a healthier, more sustainable work and study environment in schools. The pilot projects were part of a $40,000 grant to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The state of Minnesota is seeking applications/nominations for the 16th annual Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention. Businesses, private institutions, and nonprofit organizations with exemplary waste reduction and pollution prevention projects or programs are encouraged to apply.

As the thermometer climbs and a string of rainless days stretches on across parts of the state, some area lakes are starting to "green up." The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reminds people that these conditions can produce a type of algae in lakes and rivers that can harm pets, livestock and even people.

Under an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the city of Rosemount and Dakota County, the owners and operators of Contractor Property Developers Co., Roseville, Minn., have agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty for alleged hazardous waste violations at the former Brockway Glass factory property, located at 13500 Robert Trail S. in Rosemount.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for proposed changes at Pre-Finishing Specialists Inc.(PSI), at its facility in Avon, Minn. Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until Aug. 17, 2006.