As part of its operations, Gopher Resource melts products that contain lead at its Eagan facility. This facility operates under air, industrial stormwater, and hazardous waste permits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
From January through March 2025, air quality monitors managed by the state of Minnesota showed higher-than-acceptable readings of lead in the air near the Gopher Resource facility at 695 Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan. MPCA data and air modeling suggest the elevated levels of lead in the air were within a 0.75-mile radius of the facility. MPCA air monitoring data indicate that lead levels in the month of April returned to acceptable levels according to the federal standards that protect human health and the environment.
Check the MPCA web site for more information about the Gopher Resource facility, as well as testing information for blood lead levels and lead in soils.
The MPCA is committed to working with our partners at Dakota County and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to inform the Eagan community about lead emissions. In early July, the MPCA notified area residents of the elevated lead levels. We then held two community meetings, one virtual (July 21) and one in person (July 22).
