Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Driving onto the Schroeder family dairy farm near Courtland on Highway 14 between New Ulm and Mankato, you see what appears to be a typical small dairy farm -- a big farm house, a red barn surrounded by black-and-white Holstein cows, fifth and sixth generation family members working the farm. Some things haven't changed.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Hibbing Public Utilities Commission (Hibbing PUC) recently reached an enforcement settlement that resolved the company's past failure to comply with state air quality rules and permit conditions. The settlement addresses violations of carbon-monoxide and fugitive-dust emissions and visible emissions limits that occurred in 2007 during operation of Hibbing PUC's new, wood-fired boiler. As a result, Hibbing PUC has paid a $44,500 penalty and has taken actions to correct identified problems.

Mercury spills in Minnesota schools should be a thing of the past, but mercury is still being found in the science classrooms of middle, junior high and senior high schools. That's a cause for concern because spilled mercury vaporizes just like water, and when someone inhales mercury vapor, about 80 percent of it passes from the lungs into the blood.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed expansion of the Athman Swine finishing site in eastern Morrison County's Granite Township. Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until July 2, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed MinnErgy ethanol facility at Eyota, Minn. The agency invites the public to comment on the EAW through July 2, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared for a proposed expansion of the Brown County Solid Waste Landfill facility. The facility is located in Sigel Township, south of New Ulm on County Road 11. Citizens are invited to comment on the EAW until July 2, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Virginia Public Utilities recently reached an enforcement settlement that resolved the company's past failure to comply with state air quality rules and permit conditions. As a result, the PUC will pay a $39,300 penalty and took actions to correct identified problems.

The fishing season is upon us and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Department of Natural Resources are once again partnering with retailers and others to offer 20 lead tackle exchanges across the state this summer. The annual exchange events offer anglers a chance to try the growing variety of lead-free fishing tackle.

The annual public meeting for the city of Willmar's stormwater permit and stormwater pollution prevention program will be held during the City Council meeting beginning at 7 p.m., Monday, June 16 at the Municipal Utilities meeting room, 700 Litchfield Ave. S.W.

As part of the Clean Water Legacy Act passed by the legislature in 2006, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will launch a 10-year biological monitoring project throughout the state this summer. The goal of the project is to assess the condition of rivers and streams in Minnesota's major watersheds.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is accepting applications until May 27, 2008 for the Minnesota Environmental Education Advisory Board's (EEAB) July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2010 term.

Memorial Day is fast approaching, the ice has melted, and another school year is nearing its end. It must be time to get to the lake cabin and open it up for the summer season. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reminds cabin owners of some environmentally-friendly tips to keep in mind when preparing for another summer of fun at the lake.

Union Pacific Railroad Co. has reached an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to improve its spill preparedness and to help communities along the Minnesota River equip and train local emergency responders to deal with spills on the river.

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 Oakdale site in Oakdale, Minn. The public comment period for the proposed plan ends June 20, 2008.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has released the 2009 Air Monitoring Network Plan for public review and comment through June 6, 2008. The annual report provides an overview of the various air quality monitoring networks currently operating in Minnesota.

Water quality experts have known for years that the use of rain gardens can have a positive effect on nearby lakes, rivers and streams. And a growing number of Minnesotans are discovering the benefits of these gardens designed to soak up rain water -- rain gardens can attract butterflies, bees and birds, too.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Recycling Association of Minnesota have launched a statewide educational effort to promote and reinvigorate recycling at home, at work and on-the-go. The state's rate of recycling -- 41 percent of trash -- is admirable, but hasn't increased significantly for the past 10 years. The goal of the Recycle MORE Minnesota campaign is to increase our recycling rate to 50 percent by 2011.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 50 enforcement cases totaling $554,178 in penalties during the first quarter of 2008. The cases occurred at facilities in 32 counties throughout Minnesota.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed expansion of the Clear Lake/Clearwater Sewer Authority's wastewater treatment facility. The facility is located in Sherburne County, between the cities of Clear Lake and Clearwater. Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until June 4, 2008.

As you go through your tackle box to get ready for the 2008 fishing opener, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) encourages anglers to switch to lead-free fishing tackle. Lead is a toxic metal that has adverse effects on the nervous and reproductive systems of mammals and birds. Found in most fishing jigs and sinkers, this metal is poisoning wildlife such as loons and eagles.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed Langdon Farms hog facility in Dodge County.

Suzlon Rotor Corp., a manufacturer of wind turbine blades in Pipestone, has paid a $19,000 penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for alleged violations of air quality regulations. According to the MPCA, the company failed to obtain an air quality permit prior to construction and operation of the facility.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently recognized outstanding performance by operators of wastewater treatment plants in 2007. For meeting the agency's criteria for excellence in operations, these 160 Minnesota facilities were awarded certificates of commendation at the Annual Wastewater Operations Conference in March.

Vehicles are one of the largest purchases made by U.S. consumers. With rising gas prices and a growing concern for the environment, it's not surprising that consumers are interested in alternative vehicles -- cars and trucks that save gas and tread lightly on the environment. As purchases of alternative vehicles increase, it shows buyers are looking for means of transportation that cut fuel costs, reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality.

Each spring the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reminds citizens that April marks the start of the ozone pollution season. In recent years, very few pollution health alerts in Minnesota were called due to ozone levels - most have been caused by fine particle pollution. But this year may be different.