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News release

February 3, 2025

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MPCA communications, news.mpca@state.mn.us

City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating each fined more than $10,000 for construction stormwater violations

The City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating discharged sediment-laden water into the Long Prairie River, in addition to other violations, during construction of CSAH 56 & 38, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation. The City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating were each fined $10,900. 

MPCA staff inspections in April and May 2024 confirmed several permit violations including:

  • nuisance conditions (sediment-laden water) to waters of the state (Long Prairie River) on two separate occasions.
  • failure to include location and type of sediment control best management practices on the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP).
  • failure to identify person knowledgeable in the SWPPP (stormwater site manager).
  • failure to stabilize exposed soils within the last 200 feet of the normal wetted perimeter (Long Prairie River).
  • failure to protect storm drain inlets.
  • failure to install sediment control best management practices along a surface water (wetland).
  • failure to conduct inspections for rain events of ½ inch or greater in 24 hours.
  • failure to maintain sediment and erosion control best management practices.

In addition to the fines paid by the City of Long Prairie and C&L Excavating, C&L Excavating completed a series of corrective actions to bring the site into compliance.

MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment. 

When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.

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