Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for the city of Pine Island's proposed construction of a wastewater collection system to service the Elk Run development area in Olmsted County. Comments will be accepted through May 6, 2009.

The public is invited to attend the tenth annual "Protecting the St. Croix" Conference scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Center of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine facility expansion about two miles southwest of Lake Sarah in Section 29 of Lake Sarah Township, Murray County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through April 22, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has reached an agreement with United Taconite LLC of Eveleth (UTAC) that resolves the company's alleged past failure to comply with state air quality rules and standards. As a result, the company will pay a $125,000 civil penalty, implement a facility compliance plan and could spend as much as $642,000 to conduct additional environmentally-beneficial projects.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the Wetzel Pork swine-finishing facility in Faribault County. Comments will be accepted through April 22, 2009.

The public is invited to comment on a water quality report for the Lower Vermillion River Watershed in southeastern Minnesota. Known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, the report addresses water pollution caused by turbidity. The public comment period is March 23 through April 22, 2009.

Representatives from environmental groups, waste haulers, recyclers, utilities and state and local governments in Minnesota are working to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through waste management methods.

As residents of the Red River Valley continue flood preparations, homeowners and business owners should take steps now to prevent hazards associated with heating fuel oil tanks in basements or lower levels.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Hardwood Creek in Anoka and Washington counties. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, addresses impaired biota (fish) and low dissolved oxygen levels in the creek.

A drop of rain falling in Belle Creek will flow to the Cannon River and then to the Mississippi. In a similar fashion, a recording of water quality of Belle Creek will flow to the Cannon River Watershed Project and then to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Pollution Health Alert due to fine particle pollution for southwest and central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Marshall, and Brainerd effective immediately and running through the end of the day Friday March, 6th.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking technical information and data submissions on the proposed changes to the state's water quality standards. A second public comment period for the 2011 triennial water quality rules revision process appears in the March 2, 2009 State Register. Information and data must be submitted to the MPCA by 4:00 p.m. on Apr.17, 2009.

A public comment period will begin March 2 and continue through April 1, 2009 on a report addressing water pollution in Golden Lake in the city of Circle Pines in Anoka County. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients, namely phosphorus that fuels algal blooms.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an environmental review of a proposed asphalt storage and loading facility at Asbury, about four miles north of Granite Falls. The Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) is now available for public review and comment through Wednesday, March 25, 2009.

The University of Minnesota has paid two $5,000 civil penalties and will complete a $50,000 supplemental environmental project as a result of asbestos violations at its Centennial Showboat and its Rosemount facility known as UMore Park. A stipulation agreement was executed between the University and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on Jan. 22, 2009.

An analysis of a 25-year record of mercury in northern pike and walleye from Minnesota lakes has found an unexpected rise in mercury concentrations in these predator fish. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) study was reported in the peer-reviewed journal, "Environmental Science & Technology," on Feb. 9, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Groundhouse River in Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties, west of the city of Ogilvie. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by fecal coliform and sedimentation. A public comment period begins Feb. 9 and continues through March 11, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 50 enforcement cases totaling $303,372 in penalties during the fourth quarter of 2008. The cases occurred at facilities in 26 counties throughout Minnesota. In all of 2008, 176 cases were concluded totaling $1,643,866 in penalties.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an Air Pollution Health Advisory for the southern two-thirds of Minnesota starting later today Tuesday, January 27th and running through mid-morning on Thursday, January 29th. Air quality is forecast to peak in a range from 87 to 97 on the air quality index (AQI) which is near the threshold of an air alert (called at 101 AQI) - for areas near St. Cloud, the Twin Cities and Rochester.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled an information meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, about recent cleanup activities and the potential redevelopment of the former U.S. Steel mill site in Duluth's Morgan Park neighborhood. The meeting will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Goodfellowship Community Center at 1302 88th Ave. West. MPCA and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff will be available for 30 minutes before and after the meeting to answer questions.

A beef processing company in Buffalo Lake will pay a $40,000 civil penalty for alleged violations of wastewater, permitting, and other hazardous waste rules. In an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), North Star Beef, Minnesota Beef and William Gilger will pay the civil penalty and complete work to correct the violations.

The Toro Company has agreed to pay a $30,000 civil penalty for air quality and air permit violations at its Bloomington research and development facility. Toro signed a stipulation agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on Dec. 22, 2008, agreeing to pay the penalty on or before Jan. 21, 2009.

Rolling Green Inc., LaTour Construction Inc., R.L. Larson Excavating Inc., and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency have reached an agreement that requires the three parties to pay the MPCA $52,500 for alleged stormwater violations. The violations occurred at Emerald Ponds, a 145-acre housing development construction site near St. Augusta, Minn.