Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001 Technical Contact: Lisa Woog, 218-855-5017 Toll Free: 1-800-657-3864 Brainerd, Minn. -- Dynamics Design and Land Company L.L.C., of Big Lake, Minn., has agreed to pay a $24,000 penalty for alleged stormwater violations at a construction site in central Minnesota. The violations occurred at Autumn Ridge, a residential development near Becker in Sherburne County. During inspections in 2003 and 2004, MPCA staff discovered that the company failed to properly control erosion and sediment discharges that can lead to pollution of nearby water bodies. The result was significant amounts of sediment flowing into a nearby wetland and the Elk River. It was later discovered that the company had failed to obtain a required stormwater permit from the MPCA before beginning the project. "The MPCA's stormwater program is designed to help companies prevent pollution that often occurs when water carries sediment and other pollutants off construction sites," said Lisa Woog, an MPCA stormwater specialist. In addition to paying the $24,000 civil penalty, the company has taken the proper steps to control erosion at the site. 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 and additional background information about stormwater programs, visit the agency's News Media Center at/newscenter/index.html.