Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Barbara Skoglund, 651-296-5965 Technical contact: Mark Rust, 651-215-0198 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requests applications for financial assistance in the development of projects that reduce backyard garbage burning. Both public and private agencies, companies, organizations and partnerships are eligible. Applications are due Dec. 8, 2006. The pollution created from backyard garbage burning poses significant health and environmental dangers to Minnesotans. More than 40 percent of all wildfires in Minnesota are caused by careless garbage burning. Minnesota needs to reduce the amount of pollution and wildfire threats associated with backyard garbage burning. The MPCA and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources have combined resources to help finance projects designed to reduce burn barrels and backyard garbage burning in Minnesota. Approximately $150,000 is available to encourage the safe disposal of garbage and increase recycling and composting. The complete request for proposal is available on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/grants/. Applications must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2006. Interested applicants can contact Martina Cameron at 651-296-7755, 800-657-3864 or martina.cameron@state.mn.us for more information.