Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887
St. Paul, Minn. — In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 34 enforcement cases in 26 counties throughout Minnesota during the second quarter of 2012. Of the more than $326,000 issued in penalties in these cases, nearly $115,000 will be spent toward the completion of supplemental environmental projects.
Imposing monetary penalties is only part of the MPCA’s enforcement process. Agency staff continue to provide assistance, support and information on the steps and tools necessary to achieve compliance for any company or local government that requests it.
The following is a brief summary of all 34 cases completed during the second quarter of 2012:
• Flame Metals Processing Corp., Rogers, for water quality and solid waste violations - $100,000 (This includes $90,000 toward completion of a supplemental environmental project.).
• Magnetation, Inc., Keewatin, for air quality violations - $40,000.
• Nico Products, Inc., Minneapolis, for air quality violations - $35,762 (This includes $24,880 toward completion of a supplemental environmental project.).
• Minnesota State Colleges and University System, Brainerd and St. Cloud, for hazardous waste violations - $25,700.
• Altona Hutterian Brethren, Henderson, for solid waste violations - $10,000.
• Rick Winter-Avon Ag Lime/Huls Trucking, St. Joseph, for water quality violations - $10,000.
• Starland Hutterian Brethren, Gibbon, for solid waste violations - $10,000.
• Tri-County Aggregate, Inc., Faribault, for water quality violations - $10,000.
• Wayne & Joe Wagner Farm, Brandon, for feedlot violations - $9,000.
• Curt Blair, Glenwood, for feedlot violations - $5,500.
• Xcel Energy-Prairie Island Nuclear, Welch, for air quality violations - $5,500.
• Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc., Princeton, for hazardous waste violations - $5,425.
• Madison Welding & Repair, Madison, for hazardous waste and air quality violations - $5,361.
• Hawkes Co., Inc., Newfolden, for water quality violations - $5,290.
• US Steel Corp.-Minntac Tailings Basin Area, Mountain Iron, for water quality violations - $4,750.
• ATV Salvage & Repair, Inc., North Branch, for stormwater violations - $4,300.
• Belle Plaine Block & Tile, Inc., Belle Plaine, for stormwater violations - $4,300.
• Environmental Stoneworks, North Branch, for stormwater violations - $4,300.
• Jack’s Auto Parts LLC, Sauk Centre, for stormwater violations - $4,300.
• Liberty Tire Services, Savage, for stormwater violations - $4,300.
• Todd & Leo Mertens Farm, Delhi, for solid waste violations - $4,025.
• Boise White Paper LLC, International Falls, for water quality violations - $3,525.
• ArcelorMittal Minorca Mine, Inc., Virginia, for water quality violations - $2,215.
• Lakeview Memorial Hospital Association, Inc., Stillwater, for hazardous waste violations - $2,160.
• Dotson Co., Inc., Mankato, for air quality violations - $2,075.
• Cass Lake wastewater treatment plant, Cass Lake, for water quality violations - $1,500.
• St. Joseph’s Hospital, St. Paul, for hazardous waste violations - $1,250.
• Tom’s Harbor Owners Association, Inc., Cass Lake, for water quality violations - $1,250.
• Otte Log Homes & Construction, Inc., Cannon Falls, for individual septic treatment system violations - $1,000.
• LeRoy Klein, Rochester, for solid waste violations - $800.
• Scott Mende, dba Mid-Central Realty & Construction, Madison Lake, for individual septic treatment system violations - $800.
• MAC Auto Works, Belle Plaine, for solid waste violations - $575.
• Mark’s Bobcat Services, Inc., Prior Lake, for individual septic treatment system violations - $250.
The penalty for the following case is all forgivable:
• Carl Ulrich, Owatonna, for solid waste violations - $1,000.
A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases can be found on the MPCA News Media Center webpage. For questions on specific enforcement cases, phone Stephen Mikkelson, information officer, at 218-316-3887 or 800-657-3864.
