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News releases

Draft water quality reports offer good news and protection opportunities for Mississippi River-Headwaters watershed — Monday, June 4, 2018

The watershed that includes the iconic Mississippi River Headwaters has very good overall water quality, and forest protection is critical to preserve it.

Air quality alert issued due to ozone for Tuesday, May 29th — Monday, May 28, 2018

The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Rochester, and Albert Lea.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed new hog feedlots' expansion in Steele County — Monday, May 28, 2018

The public may submit written comments on the Klemmensen EAW until 4:30 p.m. June 27, 2018.

MPCA beginning second ten-year cycle of water quality monitoring field work throughout Minnesota — Wednesday, May 23, 2018

This work is funded by the Clean Water Fund from the constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2008.

Mankato waste transfer station proposes increase in operating hours — Monday, May 21, 2018

MWPC has seen an increase in waste processing from approximately 43,000 tons per year in 2015 to more than 60,000 tons per year in 2017.

Comment period extended on draft studies that recommend Bois de Sioux River Watershed water quality improvements, protection — Monday, May 7, 2018

The studies found that Bois de Sioux River Watershed water pollution is linked to land alterations designed to promote soil drainage, such as stream channelization and ditching.

Minnesota joins coalition of 17 states to defend national clean car rules — Tuesday, May 1, 2018

The lawsuit claims the EPA acted arbitrarily and capriciously, failed to follow its own Clean Car regulations, and violated the Clean Air Act.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot in Fillmore County — Monday, April 30, 2018

The proposed project would include two barns, an animal mortality composting building, a large stormwater basin, and a livestock watering well.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed new hog feedlots in Waseca County — Monday, April 30, 2018

A total of 9,600 finishing hogs would be housed at two new sites each holding two barns, with each barn housing 2,400 head.

MPCA to withdraw Wild Rice rulemaking — Thursday, April 26, 2018

The agency engaged Minnesota Native American tribes, elected officials, businesses and municipal wastewater systems that may be impacted by the rule, and also received thousands of comments from environmental advocacy groups, other stakeholders and the public.

MPCA recognizes wastewater facilities for operational excellence — Thursday, April 26, 2018

To be eligible for this recognition, facilities were required to submit all reports to the MPCA correctly and on time, demonstrate consistent compliance through monitoring, operations, and maintenance, and employ staff certified by the MPCA in wastewater operations.

MPCA completes 72 enforcement cases in first quarter of 2018 — Monday, April 23, 2018

Penalties from all 72 cases totaled just over $330,000.

Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Friday, July 20th into Saturday, July 21st — Friday, April 20, 2018

The affected area includes the cities of Roseau, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Brainerd, Alexandria, Saint Cloud and Ortonville and the tribal nations of Red Lake, Leech Lake and Mille Lacs.

MPCA permit governing runoff from construction sites has new benefits for permittees — Friday, April 20, 2018

The existing permit is set to expire in August, and the proposed permit features some added flexibility and reduced waiting periods that will benefit permitted contractors.

Public comment period extended for two draft Duluth urban streams reports — Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The reports focus on human-related activities — and possible remedies — for impairments in 11 of 16 state-designated trout streams.

By foot and by boat, volunteers take to the water to collect valuable data — Wednesday, April 18, 2018

More than 1,300 citizen monitors gather data for the MPCA, but more are needed to reach the 69,000 miles of rivers and more than 12,000 lakes in the state.

Draft water quality reports offer opportunities for South Fork Crow River watershed improvements — Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Buffer strips are the top water-quality improvement strategy in the South Fork Crow River watershed, according to new draft reports released by the MPCA.

Proposed Northern Metals facility in Becker open for permitting, environmental review comments — Monday, April 16, 2018

Northern Metals plans to construct a scrap-metal recycling center in Becker’s general industrial area.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot expansion in Nobles County — Monday, April 16, 2018

A new barn for 2,400 finishing hogs will expand the operation to maximum capacity of 4,800.

Investing $47 million from Volkswagen settlement will result in cleaner air in Minnesota — Wednesday, April 11, 2018

The MPCA released a draft state plan for public comment in February of 2018, and the final version balances and reflects the large amount of wide-ranging input heard.

Three Grant County feedlot projects open for permitting, environmental review comments — Monday, April 9, 2018

Spring Valley Farms LLP is proposing to build two new swine feedlots and expand an existing site about four miles northeast of Nashua in the northwest corner of Grant County.

New studies find that land alterations impair fish, insects, and recreation in Bois de Sioux River Watershed — Monday, April 2, 2018

To significantly improve water quality, the MPCA and its partners recommend that landowners make voluntary changes to their agricultural practices.

20 years and 400 inspiring volunteers yield priceless water quality information — Thursday, March 22, 2018

More than 400 volunteers monitor 500 stream sites across the state as part of the Citizen Stream Monitoring program.

MPCA offers grants to cut air emissions, improve air quality — Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Potential projects that could be funded include switching to water-based or low-VOC solvents, inks, coatings or cleaners, or buying alternative process equipment or vehicles.

Duluth’s urban streams feature trout, pollution and rays of hope — Monday, March 19, 2018

Few U.S. urban areas can boast of having anything close to Duluth’s 16 state-designated trout streams and 43 named streams within the city’s boundaries, but urban streams often suffer predictable consequences.