David Heinonen of Grand Rapids filled in 3,200 square feet of wetland near Horsehead Lake in Itasca County without prior approval and engaged in unpermitted construction activities on 1.57 acres on the shore of Horsehead Lake, according to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency investigation. The violations occurred between 2021 and 2024.
The violations included:
- failure to apply for a construction permit for three years
- failure to apply for a permit to fill in 3,200 square feet of a wetland near Horsehead Lake
- failure to conduct 91 inspections, including 21 of them for rain events for three years
- failure to develop and maintain a storm water pollution prevention plan for three years
- failure to install erosion control best management practices and install redundant sediment controls
These violations led to Mr. Heinonen paying a fine of $13,750.
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.