Heavy rains over the last two months, and predictions for more on the way, have two State agencies working with livestock groups, farming organizations and counties to find options for farmers dealing with manure storage issues.
News releases
Fall is a busy time for farmers, and not only for the crop harvest. Livestock producers will be applying billions of gallons or pounds of stored manure to fertilize next year’s crop.
The city is working with its consultant and the MPCA to repair the ponds as quickly as possible.
In addition to correcting identified problems, the company has paid a $23,000 penalty.
Alliance Recycling Group first company in the area to step forward to reduce and prevent air pollution
The public may submit written comments on the Circle K EAW until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5.
The group will provide input and recommendations about ways to incorporate the principles of environmental justice into the agency’s work.
Parts of the facility must be idled beginning on Sept. 2, 2016, and cannot be used until the MPCA either issues a modified air permit for the facility or the company proves to the agency that it does not cause or contribute to the ongoing air quality violations in the area.
The extension means the agency will now accept written comments through Sept. 30, 2016.
The report is open for public review and comment through Sept. 28, 2016.
Violations included improper storage of hazardous materials, generating hazardous waste without a license and mismanaging hazardous waste, failing to properly inspect and maintain equipment, and operating their facilities without the required industrial wastewater and stormwater permits.
The proposed expansion would increase plant production from 50 million to 130 million gallons per year of 200-proof ethanol.
While recent rain may have dispersed the bloom in Beaver Lake, people should still look for sludge or other matter on the water surface and shoreland.
The MPCA, city of Duluth, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff will be on hand to answer questions about the slip’s projects, sediment cleanup alternatives, timelines and next steps.
U.S. Steel Corporation has agreed to pay a $49,500 penalty as part of a settlement for nine state air quality violations adjacent to its taconite facility near Keewatin.
The Chippewa River Watershed includes portions of Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Swift, Kandiyohi, Chippewa counties, and a very small portion of Stearns.
The proposed expansion would double the number of finishing hogs from 2,400 in one existing barn to a total of 4,800 in two barns.
The report is open for comment through Aug. 31, 2016
Penalties from all 44 cases totaled more than $480,000.
The proposed project would expand the capacity of the facility from the current 970 beef feeder cattle to a capacity of 4,000 beef slaughter steers and 4,000 beef feeder cattle.
The proposed hog production facility will consist of two new total confinement barns and house a total of up to 4,800 finishing hogs.
This TMDL report is open for public review and comment through Aug. 17, 2016.
The air pollution health alert is for the Twin Cities metro and surrounding areas, effective Friday, July 22 from 11 a.m. through 9 p.m.
The affected area includes the Twin Cities Metro north and east to Cambridge, North Branch, Forest Lake and Stillwater.
The public will have an opportunity to formally comment on the proposed standard during a rulemaking process in 2017. Feedback on the information being released today is appreciated by Sept. 6, 2016.