Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887
Brainerd, Minn. -- Melrose Dairy Proteins LLC, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have reached an agreement that requires the company to pay $60,000 for alleged water quality violations at its facility in Melrose, Minn.
MPCA staff inspections and file reviews revealed several violations in 2007-08, mostly related to land applying dairy waste. Some of the violations included exceeding sodium and nitrogen application rates, applying dairy waste on sites not approved in its permit, applying too close to an intermittent stream and wetland, and applying waste to land application sites with phosphorus concentrations already above permit limits.
In addition to paying the $60,000 civil penalty, the company was required to complete a series of corrective actions, and submit written plans to ensure compliance in the future. All of these requirements have been completed, and the company has hired a new certified contractor for its land application activities.
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.
