Anoka | Federal Ammunition

Federal Premium Ammunition, commonly known as Federal Ammunition, uses lead to manufacture ammunition for a variety of sporting firearms at its Anoka facility. The facility operates under an MPCA air permit that is current.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are working together on an enforcement investigation to address elevated lead emissions at Federal Ammunition in Anoka. Air monitoring data from the MPCA confirm lead levels along the facility’s property line have exceeded national ambient air quality standards several times during 2023. 

On Sept. 6, 2024, the EPA announced a settlement agreement with Federal Ammunition, in part due to findings from the MPCA, for alleged Clean Air Act violations. The agreement requires the company to pay $349,471 in penalties and install new air pollution monitoring equipment. EPA estimates that the settlement will reduce air emissions by more than 1,700 pounds of particulate matter per year and 400 pounds of lead per year.

MPCA air monitoring data show that lead levels fell to below the national standard in January 2024. The monitoring continues.  

Our role

In 2021, MPCA emissions inventory staff identified lead emissions at Federal Ammunition over the EPA’s action level of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter. The EPA, MPCA, and Federal Ammunition developed plans for ambient air monitoring, which is required by law when a facility exceeds emission standards.

MPCA ambient air lead monitoring began in December 2022 on the fence line of the facility. The MPCA notified EPA of elevated lead levels detected during monitoring in early 2023 and the two agencies agreed that EPA would lead the investigation with assistance from the MPCA. 

MPCA data and air modeling suggest elevated lead air concentrations are likely restricted to a 0.2-mile radius — or about 1,000 feet — of the facility. Most of the impacted area is located within Federal Ammunition property. MPCA staff have conducted numerous inspections and monitored for lead emissions from the facility at times over the last 14 years. 

Now that the enforcement action has been completed, Federal Ammunition will submit a new major permit amendment to the MPCA that addresses all of the items in the settlement with the EPA. 

MDH Lead Surveillance Program

Data from The Minnesota Department of Health's statewide Lead Surveillance Program through 2021 do not show a disproportionate number of children with elevated lead levels in the census tracts surrounding Federal Ammunition. These data primarily come from children who received routine blood lead screening at ages 1 and 2 years.

Location

Federal Ammunition is located at 900 Bob Ehlen Drive, on the east side of Anoka and near the border of Coon Rapids, adjacent to residential and retail areas and within an environmental justice area.

Timeline

• 2010 - The facility’s lead emissions became a concern after the federal government lowered the national air quality standard. MPCA began ambient air monitoring near the facility.
• 2013 - MPCA air monitoring ended; lead concentrations remained below the standard from 2010 to 2013.
• 2021 - MPCA emissions inventory staff identified lead emissions from Federal Ammunition were above EPA’s action level. MPCA, EPA, and Federal Ammunition developed plans for air monitoring.
• December 2022 - MPCA air monitoring began.
• February 2023 - MPCA detected lead levels in ambient air above standards and notified EPA.
• July 2023 - MPCA and EPA agree that EPA will lead the investigation.
• March 2024 - The MPCA, MDH, and the EPA conducted a public meeting in Anoka regarding lead levels at Federal Ammunition.
• September 2024 - The EPA announces a settlement with Federal Ammunition for alleged Clean Air Act violations.