Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

May is Home Improvement Month across the U.S. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, more than 45 percent of homeowners now say they are willing to incorporate green principles, materials and practices into their home improvement projects, especially if it translates into reduced costs, better indoor environmental quality and increased comfort.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine facility expansion about four miles south of Danvers in Section 12, West Bank Township, Swift County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through May 21, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comment on the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposal by Xcel Energy to build and operate a landfill for disposal of coal ash from the A.S. King Electric Generating Plant. As required by Environmental Quality Board rules, a 10-day public review period begins April 21 and continues through 4:30 p.m. on May 5, 2008.

In an effort to increase environmental education in classrooms and provide opportunities for students to experience the environment firsthand, April 13 - 19 has been declared Environmental Education Week in Minnesota. Educators are being provided with activities and encouraged to develop partnerships with schools, nature centers, zoos, museums, science centers and parks.

No one knows better than Donna Rasmussen the long process of cleaning up polluted waters. If you had asked her 10 years ago if she'd still be working on the South Branch Root River watershed project in 2008, she would've said no.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes actually contains more than 12,000 lakes and 92,000 miles of streams and rivers. In addition, Minnesota boasts an abundance of ground water resources.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled two informational meetings to gather public input on a working draft of a permit to regulate ballast water discharges from commercial ships into Lake Superior. Ballast water may contain aquatic invasive species that compete with native species for food and habitat, alter aquatic ecosystems and cause significant economic impact.

Le Sueur Incorporated, an aluminum foundry in Le Sueur, has paid $35,000 for alleged violations of the facility's air emissions permit. In addition, the company has made several changes in its operation to ensure future compliance with environmental regulations.

Going to his family's cabin has made Mounds View resident John Kroeger appreciate the value of clean and clear water. That's why he has volunteered as a citizen lake monitor for the last 11 years for three lakes in Crow Wing County.

If your home or business is located in a flood-prone area, take some precautionary steps to move or dispose of items that could become hazardous waste when you do your early spring cleaning.

Two public meetings will be held on Monday, April 14 to present information on a water quality improvement report for the West Fork Des Moines River watershed including Heron Lake. The first meeting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in the gray 4-H building on the Murray County Fairgrounds at South Broadway Ave. in Slayton. It will be repeated at 6:30 p.m. at the Heron Lake Community Center at 312 10th St. in Heron Lake. Displays and information will be available the first half hour; formal presentations will begin at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

A public comment period begins March 31 and continues through April 30, 2008 for a revised version of an earlier report addressing water pollution in Pipestone Creek. Known as a Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL study, the report addresses pollution caused by fecal coliform bacteria and turbidity. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has placed three sections of Pipestone Creek on the state's impaired waters list for exceeding those water quality standards.

Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railroad Company (DM & IR) has paid a $20,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for three air quality violations in 2007.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine facility about 11 miles southwest of Worthington in Section 21 of Ransom Township in Nobles County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment March 24 through April 23, 2008.

When walking through the cleaning aisle of a grocery or discount store, most people are looking for products that will keep their home clean -- but have they thought about products that can help keep their home "green"?

Fabcon Inc., a pre-cast concrete panel manufacturer in Savage, has agreed to pay a $32,623 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of state stormwater and wastewater rules. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Fabcon released sediment-laden stormwater to a wildlife wetland in the Minnesota River Valley.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has recently completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposed wood fuel pelletizing facility in Mountain Iron, Minnesota. If approved, Mountain Timber Wood Products LLC of Mountain Iron would process and convert wood products and wood wastes into fuel pellets beginning in 2009. Comments on the proposal will be accepted through April 9, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed expansion of an existing livestock facility in Graceville Township, Big Stone County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality, and air quality, is open for public review and comment through April 8, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will host a public information meeting on Wed., March 19, to share information about 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.

Have you ever stood in your backyard and thought about the world that's moving beneath you? Just yards below the surface, ground water is constantly and slowly moving through tiny pathways around grains of sediment or through small openings in rock, finally flowing into streams and lakes. The water just below the surface plays a pivotal role in the metro area because 500,000 homes use ground water for drinking. Staff members at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) have given ground water a lot of thought, but they want to know more.

As the ice-out begins this spring, striking up conversation at a river's edge with strangers may be hard for most people, but not for Louise Hotka. While most other people visit the Mississippi River in Minneapolis for recreational purposes - picnicking, swimming or fishing - Hotka is preparing to take river samples as a part of her volunteer duties for the Citizen Stream-Monitoring Program (CSMP).

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has recently completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and draft permit for a proposed wastewater treatment facility in Douglas County. The Central Lakes Regional Sanitary District (CLRSD) would serve residents around Lake Miltona and Lake Irene in Miltona, Carols, and Leaf Valley Townships. It would also provide the capacity neededd to meet the future needs of two nearby towns, Carlos and Miltona. Comment on the proposal will be accepted through March 26.

The Governor's Awards for Excellence in Waste and Pollution Prevention were presented today to 18 organizations at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) Air, Water and Waste Environmental Conference. The annual awards program honors superior environmental achievement by Minnesota's businesses, nonprofits and private institutions.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has scheduled two meetings to gather public input on a proposed permit to regulate ballast water discharges from commercial ships into Lake Superior. Ballast water may contain aquatic invasive species that can damage water quality and the environment.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for proposed changes at the Brainerd wastewater treatment facility. Those interested are invited to comment on this EAW until March 26, 2008.