Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

When the summer sun shines and temperatures climb, conditions are ripe for Minnesota lakes to produce harmful algal blooms. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is again reminding people that some blue-green algae can harm pets, livestock and even people.

At Hinckley Elementary School, students file into bathrooms during a break to use the toilets and sinks. As they make their way back to class, wastewater from the bathrooms travels to the Hinckley wastewater treatment plant, moves through the plant, goes to the Grindstone River, down the Kettle River, and into the St. Croix River. After a 92-mile journey, the wastewater ends up into Lake St. Croix.

Fitzgerald Excavating and Trucking of Goodhue, a company that provides demolition, excavating, tiling and septic-installing services, has reached an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to pay a $10,000 penalty for alleged violations in solid waste and installing on-site sewage-treatment systems.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Schmidt, Pomerleau and Bass lakes in Hennepin County. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrient levels. A public comment period will begin June 8 and continue through July 8, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will be releasing $1.57 million in grant money from the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) for clean diesel projects in the state. These DERA funds were made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

A public comment period will be held from May 26 through June 26 on water-quality standards proposed for Byllesby Reservoir on the Cannon River in Goodhue and Dakota counties. The proposed standards are specific to the reservoir site and address nutrient levels and water clarity.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking public comment on a proposed plan to clean up contamination related to perfluorochemicals (PFCs) at the 3M Cottage Grove site in Cottage Grove, Minn. The public comment period for the proposed plan will end June 19, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a draft water quality report for two segments of the Mustinka River near Lake Traverse in Traverse County. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution harmful to aquatic life caused by excess turbidity from small particles. The public comment period ends June 17, 2009.

Now that spring has come to Minnesota, are you looking forward to spending time on your favorite lake this summer? Can't wait to put your boat or canoe into the water for the first time? Steve Merten has been waiting to get back on the water all winter long -- and he has an important reason to do so.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recommends that citizens avoid disposing of expired or unwanted medications by sending them down the drain. Instead, the MPCA urges citizens to discard these substances in the trash, after taking steps to prevent children, animals and others from coming into contact with them.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released the 2010 "Air Monitoring Network Plan" for public review and comment from May 13 through June 12, 2009. The annual report provides an overview of the various air quality monitoring networks currently operating in Minnesota. Data for several pollutants are summarized to show current conditions relative to state and federal air quality standards. Details regarding the location of individual sites, monitoring objectives and proposed changes are provided.

Monitoring crews are beginning the second year of an intensive 10 year effort to assess the condition of rivers, streams and lakes in Minnesota. The work is being funded by the Clean Water Legacy Act that was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Pawlenty in 2006.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 33 enforcement cases totaling $1,082,714 in penalties during the first quarter of 2009. The cases occurred at facilities in 30 counties throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently recognized outstanding performance by operators of wastewater treatment plants during 2008. For meeting the agency's criteria for excellence in operations, 160 Minnesota facilities were honored at the 72nd Annual Wastewater Operations Conference, held in Brooklyn Center on March 26.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the city of Marshall have reached an agreement that resolves alleged violations of hazardous waste rules related to a major downtown street and utility project. The city has paid a $28,250 penalty and is required to complete a subsurface soil investigation.

As you sort through your tackle box dreaming of the big one you're going to catch this year, remember to make it a safe year for wildlife. Search your equipment for lead sinkers and jigs, and replace them with lead-free fishing tackle. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says that lead is a toxic metal that poisons birds and other wildlife, including Minnesota favorites such as loons and eagles.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) invites the public to review and comment on an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) and draft air emissions permit for the proposed Sappi Cloquet LLC facility expansion.

Dan Olson, 218-846-8108 Hawley, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is inviting public comment on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared for a proposed expansion of the Clay County landfill near Hawley. The 30-day public comment period on the EAW ends June 3.

The 2009 Governor's Awards for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention were presented yesterday to 18 organizations. The annual awards program honors superior environmental achievement by Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, local governments and private institutions.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) beach monitoring program staff will begin its seventh season of dipping sampling equipment into the water at 39 public access points along Lake Superior's North Shore. Staff will begin pre-season water testing at eight sites frequented by kayakers and other cold-water enthusiasts May 4.

Spring marks the start of Minnesota's ozone pollution season, and to help draw attention to air pollution issues, April 27 through May 1 is designated as "Air Quality Awareness Week" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on revisions to a water quality report for a segment of the Wild Rice River near Hendrum. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by excess turbidity from suspended and dissolved particles. The new comment period ends May 20, 2009.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on a proposed 6,640-head dairy feedlot southeast of Wheaton in Traverse County. The public comment period for the EAW ends May 20, 2009.

"Air Pollution Health Alerts" are issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to advise citizens how polluted the air is, and what associated health effects might be a concern. The alerts focus on health effects some citizens may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. Several thousand people in Olmsted County are affected when the alerts are issued and should take precautions to protect their health.

Governor Tim Pawlenty has declared the week of April 12 - 18, 2009, Environmental Education Week.