As part of our commitment to transparency, certainty, and customer service, the MPCA is improving the way we track and administer permits. A core value of the MPCA is continuous improvement, and the agency periodically reviews the environmental work we do to show progress on the agency's strategic plan goals and objectives. These programs reflect this value.
MPCA permit tracker
The MPCA's permit tracker allows regulated parties and the public to view the status of permit applications currently under review and issued by the agency. This is part of our continuous improvement work on permitting programs. The tool includes data going back to July 1, 2019, covering the total number of applications received for each permitting program in the MPCA.
Legislative report
Each year, the MPCA issues a report to the legislature that tracks efforts to improve permitting efficiency. Our last report, issued in December 2024, shows the agency meets permit timeliness goals 98% of the time for priority permits. Still, there are ways the agency continues to improve our permitting process including new online tools that allow electronic submission of permitting data and additional resources that help permit applicants with necessary calculations their applications.
Updates from 2025 legislative session
A number of updates were made to the MPCA’s permitting process during the 2025 legislative session. These changes include:
Reporting
Going forward, the annual permitting efficiency report will include statistics on additional permits outside of the agency’s priority permits. The report is due Oct. 1 of each year.
Permit application deficiencies
The MPCA will now advise a permit applicant of any application deficiencies within 30 business days of receiving a permit application. Permit applicants then have five business days to remedy deficiencies before the MPCA determines an application is complete or incomplete.
Expedited permits
Permit applicants may request an expedited permit if they agree to associated costs and a timeline from the MPCA. If existing staff are unavailable to expedite the permitting request, the MPCA may contract for permitting services. The MPCA may deny an expedited permitting request if both MPCA staff and contracting services are unavailable.
Read the updated statute language
Coordinated project plans
A coordinated project plan (CPP) is a plan and schedule to ensure environmental review and associated required state agency actions are completed efficiently by coordinating and establishing deadlines for all necessary state agency actions. A CPP includes a list of all state agencies known to have environmental review, permitting, or other regulatory authority over the eligible project, a schedule for formal public meetings, and a comprehensive schedule of deadlines.
Other resources
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