Show All Environmental Audit Program
About the Environmental Audit Program
In 1999, the Minnesota Legislature passed legislation that ensured the continuation of the Environmental Improvement Program, more commonly known as the Environmental Audit Program (EAP). This program encourages industries, businesses, and governments to examine how well a facility's operations are complying with local, state, and federal environmental regulations, and correct any problems that are identified.
The program focuses first on technical assistance and compliance, rather than enforcement. Organizations that conduct environmental audits are likely to take the necessary actions to correct problems, before the problems can develop into major environmental or public health issues.
Organizations that meet the program's requirements may receive protection from enforcement action, fines, and other penalties. However, the amnesty provisions do not apply to organizations involved with activities that cause serious harm to the environment or endanger public health. Also, the amnesty provisions do not apply to organizations involved in criminal activities, or to organizations that have committed the same violations within the past 3 years (if there was an enforcement action that resulted in imposition of a monetary penalty), or the past year (if there was an enforcement action that did not result in imposition of a monetary penalty).
How to Participate in the Environmental Audit Program
A facility must submit a report to the MPCA (see the "Report Inventory" below) summarizing the results of the audit or the findings from the facility's environmental management system. Reports from smaller facilities must certify that the owner or operator has examined pollution prevention opportunities, while larger facilities must also submit the summary of a pollution prevention plan (see the "Cover Letter" or the "Environmental Audit Legislation" link below). A facility must correct problems identified within 90 days, or submit a performance schedule to the MPCA for approval, and describe steps that will be taken to prevent a recurrence of the problem(s).
You will find the following documents useful in successfully completing the program:
Cover Letter - MPCA Environmental Audit Program - Fact Sheet
- Pollution Prevention Fact Sheet
- Report Inventory
- Environmental Audit Legislation, Minnesota Statute 114C.20-28
Environmental Audit Checklists
MPCA staff has created environmental audit checklists that cover a number of areas, such as water, air, solid waste, hazardous waste, and tanks. Some of these checklists are attached below. Organizations may choose to use their own forms or hire a consultant to perform their audit.
General Checklists
- Air Quality
- Air Quality Audit Checklist - This document is currently being updated, please check back later.
- Air Quality Registration Option B Audit Checklist
- Air Quality Registration Option C Audit Checklist
- Air Quality Registration Option D Audit Checklist
- Hazardous Waste
- Basic Hazardous Waste Requirements for Businesses
- Environmental Audit Checklist - Fluorescent and HID Lamps - This document is currently being updated, please check back later.
- Minnesota Very Small Quantity Generator Checklist
- Minnesota Small Quantity Generator Checklist
- Minnesota Large Quantity Generator Checklist
- Tanks at a Large Quantity Generator - Inspection Checklist
- Solid Waste Environmental Audit Checklist - Solid Waste - This document is currently being updated, please check back later.
- Storm Water Environmental Audit Checklist
- Underground Storage Tank Environmental Audit Checklist
Does your facility or company store a petroleum or hazardous substance in a tank that is more than 10 percent underground?
Industry-specific Checklists
- Asphalt Plants
- Hot Mix Asphalt Plants Compliance Audit Checklist
- Federal 40 CFR 60, Subpart I
- Compliance with Ambient Air Quality Standards
- Approved Materials, Fuels and Additives
- Asphalt Throughput and Performance Testing
- Asphalt Dryer Burner Requirements
- Pollution Control Equipment
- Standards of Performance
- Wet Scrubber Control
- Fabric Baghouse Control
- Air, Noise and Odor Requirements
- Nonmetallic Mining and Associated Activities Compliance Audit Checklist (ea-s5-15)
- Vehicle Maintenance Providers
Does your facility or company provide collision or mechanical repair services? See the "self checks" under the headings applicable to your operations located below. - Dry Cleaners - The documents below are currently being updated, please check back later.
- Solid Waste
- Hazardous Waste
- Air Quality
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Mercury in Gauges
- Tanks
- Wastewater
- Fiberglass - The documents below are currently being updated, please check back later.
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Air Quality
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Solid Waste
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Hazardous Waste
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Fluorescent and HID Lamps
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Spills
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Storage Tanks
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Wastewater
- Fiberglass Fabricators Audit Checklist - Storm Water
- Motor Vehicle Salvage Facilities
A manual to determine environmental compliance is available from the following page on this Web site: - Printing
- Sand and Gravel
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Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit NM Permit - Materials and Reporting - Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - Non-process Dust Control
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - Test Methods and Procedures
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - NM Permit Material Moisture Content
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - NSPS Crushers
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - Subpart 000 Nonmetallic Aggregate Mining Standards for Particulate Matter and Opacity
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit - Deviations, Submittals
- Sand and Gravel Compliance Audit Checklist - Subpart 000 Affected and Exempt Facilities
- Spills
Does your facility or company transfer, store, or otherwise handle, petroleum chemicals, liquid foods, or other liquids that, if spilled, might cause pollution of surface or groundwater? Or, does your facility or company operate a railroad, a pipeline, a barge, cargo trucks, or aboveground tanks with a total capacity of 10,000 gallons or more?
Green Star Award
If a participant successfully meets the requirements of the Environmental Audit Program, a "Green Star" Award may be displayed for two years at the facility audited. Keep in mind, the Minnesota legislation requires that all environmental requirements be examined in the audit to be eligible for the "Green Star" Award.
The MPCA invites your organization to participate in the Environmental Audit Program and to join the growing list of facilities that have already received "Green Star" Awards.
More Information
If you have questions, or would like checklists not currently available on this Web site, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 651-757-2429 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 651-757-2174, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road North St. Paul, MN. 55155-4194.
