MPCA enforcement investigation shows failure to meet air permit requirements for the company’s three portable hot mix asphalt plants and nonmetallic mineral processing equipment.
News releases
Central Specialties, Inc., exceeds air emission limits at its Alexandria asphalt facility —
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Wet spring and rising temps lead to potential for harmful algae and need to reduce pollution —
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
The MPCA predicts more new algal blooms in time for upcoming July 4 weekend
MPCA investigation: 3M mismanages waste at Cottage Grove facility dating back to 1996 —
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Company required to pay $2.8 million penalty
Chippewa Valley Ethanol Co., LLLP, violates permit with construction of 200,000 gallon ethanol tank without regulatory approval —
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Large storage tank construction without approval among violations at Chippewa Valley Ethanol in Benson, Minn.
MPCA to invest $2 million for cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites in Cass Lake, Minneapolis and St. Paul —
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will help MPCA restore and revitalize brownfield locations in four target areas: the Lake Street corridor and West Broadway corridor in Minneapolis, University Avenue corridor in Saint Paul, and the city of Cass Lake in northern Minnesota.
MPCA GreenCorps seeking recent college grads for professional environmental experiences around Minnesota —
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
MPCA is recruiting young professionals interested in environmental and climate issues for its Minnesota GreenCorps program. From helping communities address air pollution and climate issues to reducing food waste, GreenCorps assignments offer valuable real-world experience at sites in Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities metro area.
Hartel's Disposal LLC improperly discharged used motor oil and automotive fluids at its Proctor facility —
Friday, May 13, 2022
Floor drains were discharging used motor oil, auto fluids directly to the ground and the company failed to clean up the contamination
MPCA: One in four Minnesota communities do not have plans to address extreme weather caused by climate change —
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Preliminary survey results from cities, counties, and tribal nations show 25 percent of Minnesota communities do not have plans to address extreme weather caused by climate change
MPCA meteorologists forecast air quality in response to drought and wildfire predictions for summer 2022 in Minnesota —
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Minnesota experienced an unprecedented number of air quality alerts for unhealthy air conditions in 2021, which were the most severe, widespread, and longest lasting on record, reaching levels that were dangerous for everyone.
Aspen Hills wastewater treatment plant discharges excessive phosphorus, fecal coliform into Tibbets Brook for nearly three years —
Monday, April 25, 2022
Homeowners association’s wastewater treatment plant in Elk River pays civil penalty for discharges of pollutants into an impaired water body.
MPCA reports call for continued protection of northern Minnesota’s most pristine waters —
Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Three new reports by the MPCA show that lakes and streams in the Rainy River - Rainy Lake and Lower Rainy River watersheds have few impairments, but must be protected to ensure continued world-class recreational opportunities and wilderness experiences.
Nearly 1,500 square feet of sediment flowed into area stream and four wetlands during Gull Lake Trail construction —
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Fairview Township and Gladen Construction, Inc., failed to adequately prevent erosion and sediment runoff along a four-mile stretch during construction of the Fairview portion of the Gull Lake Trail project during fall 2021.
MPCA conducts environmental assessment, creates draft permit for proposed 9,600-head swine finishing feedlot in Pipestone County —
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
MPCA released its draft permit and environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for Heartland Hutterian Brethren, Inc., a 9,600-head swine finishing feedlot in Pipestone County.
MPCA expands search for PFAS to nearly 400 facilities across Minnesota —
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Plan’s primary goal is to protect families, communities from PFAS contamination
MPCA reports: Wide range of water quality in the Wild Rice Watershed requires varied strategies to both protect and restore —
Monday, March 14, 2022
Water quality varies widely across the watershed. New reports outline strategies to both protect and restore the watershed’s lakes, rivers, and streams.
Liberty Tire Services allowed tire shreds to wash into Savage trout stream —
Friday, March 11, 2022
Tire processor required to recover tire shreds that washed from its Savage facility into Eagle Creek, a designated trout stream.
Low-income, diverse communities face greater health impacts from air pollution —
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
New data reviews focused on Twin Cities metro, other large regional centers
Green Plains Otter Tail exceeds wastewater/stormwater pollutant limits, failed to complete inspections, among other violations —
Friday, March 4, 2022
Green Plains Otter Tail, LLC, violated its combined wastewater and stormwater permit numerous times over the last three years at its ethanol production facility near Fergus Falls, Minn.
MPCA, cities and lawmakers seek $21 million investment to help communities prepare for mega-rain events and climate change —
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
MPCA Commissioner Katrina Kessler, city officials, and state lawmakers today highlighted the Walz-Flanagan Administration's $21.1 million request for new investments in stormwater infrastructure.
New MPCA report calls for cleaning up bacteria that triggers health advisories at five Duluth-area beaches —
Monday, January 31, 2022
A new study by the MPCA found that five beaches in the Duluth area experience spikes of E.coli bacteria, making the water unsafe at times for swimming or other recreation.
Al-Corn, Ardent Mills, Boise White Paper among 96 compliance and enforcement cases at MPCA in second half of 2021 —
Friday, January 28, 2022
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) closed 96 enforcement cases for air quality, waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the second half of 2021.
J&B Feedlot allowed discharges from unpermitted lots, manure stockpiles near 7 Mile Creek —
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Owner failed to properly maintain stockpiles of manure and feed, resulting in discharges to nearby shoreland, creek.
Ardent Mills in Hastings failed to conduct more than 300 daily emission inspections, among other violations —
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Company failed to notify MPCA of equipment removal and construction projects
MPCA study shows more than 80% of the Minnesota River Headwaters Watershed fails to meet water quality standards —
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
New draft reports released by the MPCA find that the majority of monitored stream sections and lakes in the Minnesota River Headwaters Watershed are not meeting water quality standards.
MPCA reports: Protecting good water quality a priority for Rapid River Watershed —
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Two new reports by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) show water quality in the Rapid River Watershed near Baudette in far north-central Minnesota is generally good.