Lakes, rivers, and streams in the Kettle River and Upper St. Croix River watersheds are healthy overall, but restoration and protection efforts must continue to combat water quality threats from phosphorus and bacteria.
News releases
New water quality reports: Kettle River and Upper St. Croix River watersheds healthy overall but need protection against phosphorus and bacteria threats —
Monday, January 11, 2021
U.S. Steel pays $17,550 penalty for wetland damage at its Keetac facility in Keewatin —
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
U.S. Steel’s Keetac facility in Keewatin has paid a $17,550 civil penalty to the MPCA for its failure to prevent sediment from washing into an adjacent wetland at Keetac’s facility on multiple occasions and failure to report the incidents in a timely manner.
Dispose of holiday greens and Christmas trees correctly to protect Minnesota’s urban and rural trees —
Monday, December 21, 2020
Holiday greenery brings joy and delight, but is there a humbug lurking in your décor? Trees and boughs can provide diseases and invasive species from out of state the perfect ride into our landscape.
Minnesota drives forward with clean car standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions —
Friday, December 18, 2020
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today announced it is moving forward with the rulemaking process to adopt clean car emission standards, similar to those in 14 other states. The MPCA’s Notice of Intent to Adopt Rule will be published in the State Register on Monday, December 21, 2020.
Taracon Precast LLC in rural Clay County pays $18,435 penalty for sediment runoff; lack of required permits, stormwater controls —
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
The MPCA cited the business based on inspections conducted this past summer and after receiving a written complaint. In addition to the civil penalty, the business has completed several corrective actions, including designing a permanent stormwater treatment system for the site.
67 stream segments and 24 lakes in the Des Moines River Basin impaired for swimming and aquatic life —
Monday, December 7, 2020
MPCA, local partners identify recommendations to improve area water quality
Registration for state’s estimated 18,000 feedlots moves to online service —
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Livestock feedlot owners and operators can now register their feedlots and manure storage areas online with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
MPCA reports: Water quality in the Clearwater River Watershed improves because of strong local partnerships —
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
According to two new MPCA reports, many of the waters in the Clearwater River Watershed meet the state’s fishable and swimmable goals.
Minnesota to invest another $400,000 to help companies expand recycling markets —
Monday, November 16, 2020
The MPCA is accepting applications for $400,000 in available grants to help Minnesota organizations increase their use of recycled materials.
MPCA releases draft minor amendment to Water Gremlin’s air permit —
Friday, November 13, 2020
The MPCA released a draft minor amendment to Water Gremlin’s air permit. Water Gremlin has proposed to convert one solvent-based coater to a non-solvent curing process using ultraviolet light.
MPCA requires stringent water quality requirements for Enbridge’s Line 3 project —
Thursday, November 12, 2020
The MPCA today issued its most stringent 401 water quality certification to date to Enbridge Energy for the Line 3 pipeline replacement project. In addition, the MPCA approved the capped air emissions and wastewater permit for Line 3.
MPCA to fund up to 22 new charging stations to make electric vehicles more convenient and climate-friendly —
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
The MPCA announced $170,000 in grants available to help install up to 22 additional dual-port electric vehicle (EV) Level 2 charging stations in public places and workplace locations.
MPCA a step closer on St. Louis River Area of Concern cleanup with Erie Pier Ponds —
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
The MPCA has completed another step towards the cleanup of the Ponds behind Erie Pier project, one of 11 MPCA remediation projects in the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
Northshore Mining seeks water quality certification from MPCA —
Monday, October 19, 2020
The MPCA today released a draft 401 water quality certification for Northshore Mining Company and is asking for public input on the draft certification.
Crown Cork & Seal pays $60,173 for air quality violations in Steele County —
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Crown Cork & Seal, a company that makes packaging products, has agreed to pay a $60,173 civil penalty to the MPCA for air quality violations at its manufacturing facility in Owatonna.
River Country Cooperative pays $15,988 for petroleum storage tank violations in South St. Paul —
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
River Country Cooperative has paid a $15,988 civil penalty to the MPCA for petroleum storage tank violations at its facility in South St. Paul.
As nation marks Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, locals on guard to protect St. Croix River —
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
The St. Croix River, treasured for its natural features, cultural significance, and exceptional fishing and boating, is heralded by officials in Wisconsin and Minnesota as a shining example of successful water protection.
MPCA releases second draft permit for Prairie River Minerals —
Friday, October 9, 2020
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today released its second of two draft permits for Prairie River Minerals.
New wood-stove emission standards in effect in Minnesota —
Thursday, October 8, 2020
As of May 2020, new stoves and outdoor boilers must be certified to new emission standards to be sold or installed in Minnesota.
MPCA announces new protective water and fish values for PFAS —
Thursday, October 1, 2020
Today the MPCA announced several metro water bodies now have new protective water and fish consumption values for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), one of the most studied per - and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Red River Basin waterways, damaged by land alterations and climate change, need restoring —
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
The MPCA has released reports on water-quality problems in the Roseau River and the Snake-Middle Rivers watersheds,
Owner of former SurTec plating business in Eveleth pays $19,325 for hazardous waste violations —
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Martin Zuponcic (Cook, Minn.) has paid a $19,325 civil penalty to the MPCA for a series of hazardous waste violations at SurTec, Inc., a former chrome-plating business in Eveleth.
Central Bi-Products facilities fined $130,000 for wastewater violations —
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Farmers Union Industries, LLC, has agreed to pay $130,000 for wastewater overflow and other violations at its Central Bi-Products rendering plants in Redwood Falls and Long Prairie.
MPCA releases first draft permit for Prairie River Minerals demonstration project —
Thursday, September 24, 2020
The MPCA today released its draft water-quality permit for the Prairie River Minerals demonstration project near Coleraine.
Worsening effects of climate change threaten Minnesota’s work to improve water quality —
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The Environmental Quality Board’s 2020 State Water Plan and the MPCA's Nutrient Reduction Strategy Progress Update call for collaboration, action, and integrating climate change mitigation and adaptability into all levels of water planning.