Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-7390 Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- MnDak Concrete of Grand Forks, N. D., has paid a civil penalty of $30,760 and taken steps to correct alleged environmental violations associated with the company's gravel mining operations in Sanders and Black River townships in Pennington County. During inspections in 2005 and 2006, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) found that discharges of sand, waste cement sludge and other sediments from mining operations were entering nearby wetlands, including one with special protections called a calcareous fen. Calcareous fens are a rare and unique wetland type in Minnesota. The MPCA also found the facilities were operating without the proper permits required for wastewater discharges, construction activity, and the disposal of cement waste. MnDak has since obtained the necessary permits and restored the affected wetlands. Sediment and other pollutants can seriously degrade the quality of streams, lakes and rivers. The MPCA offers training and other educational materials to developers, contractors, builders and local units of government so that they understand and can abide by environmental regulations. 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 www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/enforcement.html.