Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887 Toll free: 1-800-657-3864
EDITOR’S NOTE: Cases listed below are from the following counties: Anoka, Beltrami, Big Stone, Blue Earth, Carlton, Chisago, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Faribault, Goodhue, Hennepin, Itasca, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Ramsey, St. Louis, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Swift, Wabasha, Washington, and Watonwan.
St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 46 enforcement cases totaling $1,332,727 in penalties during the first quarter of 2010. The cases occurred at facilities in 28 counties throughout Minnesota.
Occasionally, parts of enforcement penalties are dedicated toward Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). During the first quarter of 2010, two cases included SEPs totaling $741,000. Corn Plus of Winnebago will spend $691,000 to install more efficient lighting to reduce energy consumption, and install a closed-loop heat transfer system that will significantly reduce the facility’s water use and discharges to the Winnebago wastewater treatment facility. Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company of Benson will spend $50,000 toward a project yet to be determined. The company will submit a project proposal to the MPCA for approval later in May. SEP totals are in addition to paying civil penalties.
The following is a brief summary of all 46 cases completed during the first quarter of 2010:
-- $891,000 - Corn Plus, Winnebago, for water quality violations. (Penalty amount includes $691,000 SEP)
-- $120,000 - Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co., Benson, for air quality violations. (Penalty amount includes $50,000 SEP)
-- $65,600 - MINCO, Fridley, for hazardous waste violations.
-- $60,000 - Melrose Dairy Proteins LLC, Melrose, for water quality violations.
-- $19,500 - Central Sandblasting Co., Mounds View, for air quality violations.
-- $10,000 - Archer Daniels Midland/VP Oilseed Processing, Red Wing, for above ground storage tank violations.
-- $10,000 - Itasca County, Grand Rapids, for stormwater violations.
-- $9,175 - Otter Tail Ag Enterprises, Fergus Falls, for air quality violations.
-- $9,100 - Hardrives Inc., North Branch, for air quality violations.
-- $8,250 - Magnolia-Earl Street Paving, St. Paul, for stormwater violations.
-- $7,000 - Valley Craft Inc., Lake City, for air quality violations.
-- $7,000 - Gregory Froslee Farm, Vining, for feedlot violations.
-- $6,500 - Clifford Wolle-Watonwan River Bank Construction Project, Watonwan County, for stormwater violations.
-- $6,250 - William Marceau-Arrowhead Development, Duluth, for stormwater violations.
-- $6,000 - Terry Schmidt-TC Lighting, Bemidji, for hazardous waste violations.
-- $5,872 - Harlan Peck-A-1 Excavating & Septic Service, Austin, for individual septic treatment system violations.
-- $5,314 - Oak Terrace Senior Housing, Montag Development, Inc., Gaylord, for asbestos violations.
-- $5,275 - Andersen Corporation, Bayport, for air quality violations.
-- $5,250 - Minnesota Department of Transportation, Woodbury, for stormwater violations.
-- $5,070 - Osmundson Bros. Petroleum Inc., Adams, for solid waste violations.
-- $4,750 - Shafer Contracting Co. Inc., Woodbury, for stormwater violations.
-- $4,500 - RJ Ryan Construction Inc., New Brighton, for stormwater violations.
-- $4,228 - James Wencl Plumbing and Heating, Owatonna, for individual septic treatment system violations.
-- $4,200 - LJP Enterprises, St. Peter, for solid waste violations.
-- $3,750 - Aitkin Agri-peat Inc., Cromwell, for water quality violations.
-- $3,750 - Spartacus Ventures LLC, New Brighton, for stormwater violations.
-- $3,500 - Ace Surfaces NA & Life Time Fitness, Eden Prairie, for water quality violations.
-- $3,250 - MielkeMark LLC, Brainerd, for stormwater violations.
-- $2,499 - City of Madison, Madison, for water quality violations.
-- $2,275 - Washington County Public Works, Grant, for stormwater violations.
-- $2,100 - Anderson Brothers Construction Co., Brainerd, for stormwater violations.
-- $2,000 - Cottonwood County Sanitary Landfill, Windom, for solid waste violations.
-- $1,750 - Dresel Contracting Inc., Grant, for stormwater violations.
-- $1,425 - Clipper’s Septic Inc., Tyler, for water quality violations.
-- $1,294 - Phil Gervais Farm, Slayton, for feedlot violations.
-- $1,030 - Dale Springman-D&S Excavation, Lismore, for individual septic treatment system violations.
-- $750 - Tim Landborg-Landborg Properties, Brainerd, for stormwater violations.
-- $570 - Loosbrock Digging Service, Wilmont, for individusl septic treatment system violations.
The penalties for the following cases are all forgivable:
-- $3,500 - Hearth & Home Technologies, Lake City, for air quality violations.
-- $3,500 - Wells Fargo Corporate Trust Services, St. Paul, for asbestos violations.
-- $3,500 - Clinton Ag Service Inc., Clinton, for solid waste violations.
-- $3,500 - Twin City Powder Coating, Lino Lakes, for water quality violations.
-- $3,100 - Minneapolis Concrete Recyclers LLC & Ramsey Excavating, Minneapolis, for air quality violations.
-- $2,425 - D Joseph Properties Inc., Moose Lake, for stormwater violations.
-- $2,425 - Gobel Excavating & Aggregate Inc., Moose Lake, for stormwater violations.
-- $1,000 - Tidy Green LLC, Mankato, for solid waste violations.
A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases can be found on the MPCA’s News Media Center Web page at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/index.html. For questions on specific enforcement cases, contact Stephen Mikkelson, Information Officer, at 218-316-3887, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.
