Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001 Toll Free: 1-800-657-3864 Brainerd, Minn. -- Spring Valley Ponds L.L.C, has agreed to pay a $12,500 penalty for alleged stormwater violations. The violations were related to a restoration and rebuilding project at an aquaculture facility near Spring Valley, Minn., in Fillmore County. Violations at the construction site included submitting an incomplete stormwater pollution prevention plan and beginning construction prior to obtaining a permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The project is located very close to Spring Valley Creek, which is a Department of Natural Resources-designated trout stream. Given that location, the company also failed to adequately provide detailed plans to minimize potential pollution to the creek. "The MPCA's stormwater program is designed to help companies prevent pollution that often occurs when water carries sediment and other pollutants off construction sites," said Lisa Woog, an MPCA stormwater specialist. The company has since applied for and received a stormwater permit from the agency, and as part of this process, has developed a more detailed pollution prevention plan. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, refer to the agency Web site at hhref="/newscenter/enforcement.html.