Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Anne Perry Moore, 218-723-2356 Pager: 651-339-0100 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has agreed to pay the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) a civil penalty of $10,000 and place $90,000 into an escrow account for alleged wastewater permit violations at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The DNR also agreed to spend an additional $25,000 to produce a related educational video. The alleged violations stem from the DNR's non-compliance related to a 2003 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System / State Disposal System (wastewater) permit. The permit required the DNR to install an ion exchange system that would remove unacceptable copper and cobalt concentrations from the mine's wastewater before June 30, 2005. In March 2005, MPCA staff inspected the Soudan facility and determined the initial installation of the ion exchange system was ineffective and that the existing wastewater discharge exceeded permitted copper and cobalt effluent limits. The inspector also documented the DNR's failure to plan for, or add, additional ion exchange tanks to the treatment system. Under the latest enforcement agreement, the DNR will pay the civil penalty and create an escrow account from which the MPCA may draw additional amounts should the DNR fail to meet scheduled compliance requirements. The DNR has hired a consultant to design and install an approved wastewater treatment system. That work is now underway. Once the approved wastewater treatment system goes online, the facility must meet permitted effluent limits within 270 days. If the system's effluent meets permit discharge limits, the entire escrow account will be returned to the DNR. The DNR will also apply to the MPCA's Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup Program to determine what corrective actions may be necessary to mitigate a wetland impacted by the mine's historical copper discharges. As part of the settlement, the DNR will also produce an educational video interpreting the aesthetic and recreational value of Minnesota wetlands and how they protect surface and ground water. The video will be available to the public at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park and other state parks and schools throughout the state. When calculating penalties and enforcement options, MPCA staff take into account how seriously violations affect the environment, whether they are first time or repeat violations and how promptly the regulated party reports violations to appropriate authorities. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions taken by the MPCA, refer to the agency Web site at/newscenter/enforcement.html