Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed expansion of a swine facility southeast of Adrian in Section 29 of Olney Township, Nobles County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality, and air quality, is open for public review and comment March 26 through April 25, 2007.

It's that time of year - when a vacation never looked better. The green travel industry has exploded in recent years, and with a little research, you can do a lot to lessen your environmental footprint while traveling. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) offers several tips to being an eco-friendly traveler.

A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second will waste around 2,700 gallons per year, adding to the cost of water and sewer utilities, or straining your septic system. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) offers some easy and beneficial steps you can take to conserve water on a regular basis.

Salo Manufacturing of Menahga, Minn., has agreed to pay $13,000 for alleged hazardous waste and air quality violations. The violations were discovered during Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff inspections in March 2006.

As spring approaches, so does the threat of flooding along Minnesota's rivers. Although it's difficult to tell how widespread flooding will be this year, the Minnesota River is already out of its banks at New Ulm.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on a proposed sewer line extension in Dayton. People are invited to comment on this EAW until April 11, 2007.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Department of Commerce remind homeowners, apartment dwellers and businesses of the advantages to replacing incandescent lighting with ENERGY STAR labeled compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Minnesotans are also reminded that fluorescent bulbs contain a small amount of mercury and should not be placed in the garbage. CFLs are considered a household hazardous waste and need proper disposal and recycling.

The Middle River-Snake River Watershed District, located in far northwestern Minnesota, has agreed to spend $85,480 to repair sediment damage to the Snake River by alleged violations of its construction stormwater permit. The repair project is part of an enforcement agreement in lieu of the district paying a $40,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The district will complete all repairs by the end of 2008.

When it comes to mercury pollution, we're all in it together. That's the assessment of two Minnesota scientists who participated on international panels that reviewed what is known about mercury pollution and its effects. The panels' summaries of scientific understanding were published today in the Swedish science journal "Ambio."

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will hold a public meeting on Mon., Mar. 12, to explain a proposed plan for the Baytown Township Ground Water Contamination Superfund Site in Washington County, Minn. An open house will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation on the plan at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Oak-Land Junior High, located at 820 Manning Ave. North, Lake Elmo.

The Governor's Award for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention was awarded to six businesses at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference. In its 16th year, the annual Governor's Awards honor superior environmental achievement by Minnesota's businesses, nonprofits and private institutions.

Announcement of the winners of the 2006 Governor's Awards for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention and Governor's MnGREAT awards.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for Watopa Swine in Watopa Township.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a report addressing bacterial pollution in the Chippewa River, paving the way for water quality improvement projects. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, was prepared and submitted last fall by the Chippewa River Watershed Project and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and focuses on fecal coliform bacteria from animal and human waste.

Minnesota has met outdoor air quality standards and maintained relatively low levels of toxic air pollutants, but greenhouse gas emissions are of increasing concern, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) report, Air Quality in Minnesota: Challenges and Opportunities.

Arctic cold and spring thaws can both present challenges to people who have individual septic treatment systems. "People don't usually think about taking precautions with their septic systems until they have a problem at their own home," says Pat Shelito of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Brainerd Office. "But by then the damage is done, and problems can be expensive to correct."

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 38 enforcement cases totaling $411,150 in penalties during the fourth quarter of 2006. The cases occurred at facilities in 24 counties throughout Minnesota. For all of 2006, MPCA enforcement staff completed 128 cases with a total penalty amount of $1,361,094. These cases occurred at facilities in 51 of Minnesota's 87 counties.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is inviting people to register for the 2007 Minnesota Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference, to be held Feb. 27-Mar. 1 at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington.

The city of Rockford, Minn., has agreed to pay an $11,000 penalty for alleged water quality violations. The violations occurred at the city's wastewater treatment facility and were discovered during Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff inspections in 2005 and 2006.

Minnesotans are at the forefront of living green. According to The Green Guide, St. Paul is the fourth greenest city in the country and Minneapolis is ranked number 19. If you want to learn how to make a difference, mark your calendar for the sixth annual Living Green Expo. It's the largest comprehensive green event in the Midwest and takes place the weekend of May 5-6, 2007, at the State Fair Grandstand Building.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for the Lowell Franzen Feedlot in Lyle Township.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled a public information meeting on proposed permit changes for Excel Dairy located in Excel Township in Marshall County. The meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. in the basement meeting room of the Pennington County Courthouse,101 North Main in Thief River Falls.

What principles and practices make a remodeling project "green?" And how can you make your green projects cost-effective? Find out at the Green Remodeling Learning & Network Forum for professional remodelers and architects, sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The event is Thursday, Jan. 25, from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m., at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory Visitor Center.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will hold a public information meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31, to explain the proposed air emission permit for Leef Services, Inc. located at 212 James Ave. N., in Minneapolis, Minn.

Many people are making resolutions for the new year. Why not make one to cut your energy use in 2007? Reducing your energy use helps keep Minnesota's environment clean, limits the emission of pollutants associated with climate change and can save you money, too.