Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality report for a portion of the Wild Rice River near Hendrum. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, focuses on pollution caused by excess turbidity from suspended and dissolved particles. A public comment period began Sept. 15 and continues through Oct. 15, 2008.

A dairy processor in Plainview has paid a $35,000 civil penalty for alleged violations involving the discharge of milk-contaminated cooling water to a tributary of the North Fork Whitewater River. In an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative will install new equipment to divert contaminated wastewater to the city's sanitary sewer.

A public open house and informational meeting regarding a draft air permit for U.S. Steel-Minntac, located near Mountain Iron, Minn., will be hosted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on Oct. 6 at the Mesabi Range Community & Technical College - Virginia campus, room C-175, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Mankato Regional Office recently moved to Mankato Place,12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165. The agency will host an open house on Thursday, Oct. 2, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the new location.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is hosting the third annual Lake Pepin Technical Conference: Creating a Blueprint for Restoration, Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 23-24 at the Alltel Center in Mankato.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will hold a final round of public meetings to receive and discuss suggestions to draft amendments to the air and water permit fee rules that partially fund permit activities. The final set of meetings will take place before formal rule hearings begin.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on the proposed changes to the state's water quality standards. All parties who have an interest or information about Minnesota's lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and ground water are encouraged to comment.

The city of Wheaton has agreed to pay a $12,879 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of its wastewater treatment facility's permit. In addition to paying the civil penalty, the city has agreed to take steps to help prevent recurrences of the alleged violations, and most of these actions have been completed.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced today the availability of about $2.1 million in grant money for lake and stream monitoring projects. Eligible applicants may apply through a competitive application process from late September to early November.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed expansion of a beef feedlot in Nobles County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Oct. 8, 2008.

Endres Processing LLC, of Rosemount, has paid a $30,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for, among other alleged violations, storing approximately 600 tons of solid waste outdoors, uncovered and without a permit. The violations occurred between September 2006 and March 2007.

The owners of Joyner's Die Casting & Plating, a manufacturer of plated and painted zinc die casting products, located at 7801 Xylon Ave. North in Brooklyn Park, have agreed to pay $52,000 for alleged hazardous waste violations. The violations were discovered last year during inspections of the company by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Hennepin County staff.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the Bissonette Partnership hog facility in Blue Earth County. Comments will be accepted through Sept. 24, 2008.

Cold Spring Brewing Co. and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have reached an agreement that requires the company to pay $39,960 for alleged violations at its energy drink and beer production facility in Cold Spring, Minn.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the entire state of Minnesota is meeting its new, health-based outdoor air-quality standard for fine particles (soot). The EPA announced the news yesterday in letters to governors of all states in Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

With the summer dry season upon us, many farmers pray for enough rain to ensure a good harvest in the fall.

No one knows better than Stephanie McNamara the impact that state grants have on improving water quality. As the administrator of the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization, McNamara manages the Clean Water Partnership grants for projects that the organization is awarded. Its most recent grant project, the Lambert Creek Phase III Water Quality Improvement Project Continuation, is chronicled in the 2008 Watershed Achievements Report, released today by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Pan-O-Gold Baking Co. and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have reached an agreement that requires the company to pay $442,600 for alleged air-quality violations at its bread-baking facility in St. Cloud, Minn.

A public comment period for a report on water pollution in the West Fork Des Moines River and Heron Lake begins Aug. 11 and continues through Sept. 10.

A court order between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Processors of Priam requires the company to resolve alleged violations of air quality regulations and pay a $70,000 civil penalty, plus $1,836 in interest accruing from eight quarterly payments.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has reissued a permit that allows Blue Earth County to continue the operation and development of its Ponderosa Sanitary Landfill in South Bend Township, approximately four miles southwest of Mankato.

Across the nation, people with gather on Aug. 5 to celebrate National Night Out. With some planning, these neighborhood-strengthening events can be made more environmentally friendly, says the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has cancelled the air pollution health advisory issued Tuesday July 29, through Saturday August 2, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the Evers Dairy in Wabasha County. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 27, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the Matt and Ellen Voxland Feedlot in Goodhue County. Comments will be accepted through Aug. 27, 2008.