Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Anne Perry Moore, 218-723-2356 Air quality contact: Bob Beresford, 218-723-4664 Water quality contacts: John Thomas, 218-723-4928 Stormwater contact: Jim Dexter, 218-529-6253 Toll-free (all staff, voice and TTY): 800-657-3864 Duluth, Minn.-- Northshore Mining Company (Northshore) agreed to pay a combined $58,250 civil penalty for alleged air, water and stormwater permit violations at its Silver Bay, Minn., taconite production facility, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced today. Northshore's state air quality permit requires the company to regularly monitor air pollution control equipment and dust emissions. It must report the collected data and any deviations from permitted levels to the MPCA on a semi-annual basis. During 2004 and early 2005, the company's three reports indicated that required data was missing from up to 40 percent of the reporting period. The company also failed to record required air pollution control equipment operation statistics during this same time period. During 2004 and 2005, Northshore also failed to accurately monitor wastewater treated by a fluoride removal system; did not properly operate the fluoride-removal system since it began operation in November 2004; failed to apply for a stormwater permit prior to beginning construction activity on two projects; and failed to adequately complete erosion-control activities to prevent sediment-laden stormwater discharges from one of the construction sites. In addition to paying a $13,000 penalty for air quality permit violations, Northshore is required to improve its pollution control and dust monitoring equipment and will pay future penalties if monitoring levels don't improve. In addition to paying $24,750 for water quality permit violations and $20,500 for stormwater violations, the company is also required to accurately monitor the fluoride removal system, make necessary improvements and train employees in its proper operation. Minnesota law requires owners and operators of facilities with the potential to release air or water pollutants to have MPCA permits. They must also carefully monitor and maintain equipment because emissions and discharges exceeding state standards can degrade air and water quality. Minnesota law also requires a stormwater permit for construction projects disturbing one or more acres. Stormwater permits require builders to reduce or eliminate runoff from construction sites. The MPCA offers outreach and training to help facilities meet their permit requirements. For more information on air quality permits and emission standards, call MPCA air quality inspector Bob Beresford at 218-723-4664. For water quality permit information, call MPCA water quality inspector John Thomas at 218-723-4928. For stormwater permit program information, call MPCA stormwater permit inspector Jim Dexter at 218-529-6253. All staff are available toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.