Pollutant levels have been going down for 30 years even as the economy continues to grow, but air quality is not the same across the state -- in some places, it’s not so good.
News releases
Studies call for more stream and ditch restoration, land use practice changes to restore and protect Grand Marais Creek Watershed —
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
The MPCA and local watershed partners are recommending stream and ditch restoration projects, and that landowners implement voluntary management practices to reduce water pollution in the watershed.
Open for comment: Proposed expansion of fuel terminal in Olmsted County —
Monday, January 7, 2019
The Magellan Pipeline Corp. proposes to build a 5-million-gallon tank at its petroleum storage and loading facility outside Eyota.
MPCA to hold public information meeting on draft permit for Dem-Con landfill —
Monday, January 7, 2019
During a public comment period, citizens raised concerns about the potential for groundwater contamination.
MPCA extends public comment period for draft Lansing landfill permit —
Thursday, January 3, 2019
Public comment period extended to January 11 for the SKB Lansing Landfill, north of Austin in Mower County.
Studies call for land use changes, other actions to restore and protect streams in Two Rivers Watershed —
Monday, December 24, 2018
Recommendations include projects to restore streams, ditches and wetlands, and voluntary land management practices by landowners to restore and protect waters in the watershed.
MPCA issues PolyMet air and water permits —
Thursday, December 20, 2018
During the time the draft permits were open for public comments, the MPCA received more than 700 comments.
MPCA to hold public information meeting on draft permit for Lansing landfill —
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
The public information meeting will be on Jan. 2 at Lansing Township Hall
Obsolete munitions to be detonated at Camp Ripley on Wednesday, Dec. 19 —
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Munitions include hand grenades, blasting caps, detonating cords and fuses.
MPCA Commissioner denies permit to proposed feedlot, recommends study of nitrate-contaminated waters in the sensitive karst region of southeast Minnesota —
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Citing the need to address elevated levels of nitrate in drinking water in the karst region of southeast Minnesota, MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine is announcing his decision to deny a general permit for the proposed Catalpa swine facility in Fillmore County near Mabel, Minn.
Air quality alert due to fine particles expanded to include southeast Minnesota through Thursday, Dec. 13 —
Wednesday, December 12, 2018
The affected area now includes the Twin Cities, Willmar, Hutchinson, Mankato, Albert Lea, Rochester, Winona, and the Tribal Nations of Prairie Island and Upper Sioux.
Air quality alert issued due to fine particles for Tuesday, Dec. 11 through Thursday, Dec. 13 —
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Willmar, and Hutchinson.
Use de-icing salt sparingly to protect Minnesota waters —
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
It only takes a teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.
MPCA to hold meeting on additional test results for proposed swine facility in Fillmore County —
Monday, November 19, 2018
The meeting will be held on Dec. 4 at the Mabel Community Center, 201 Main St. South.
Winter manure applications: Steps to take to prevent runoff, nutrient loss and water contamination —
Friday, November 16, 2018
Snow-covered and frozen soils make land application of manure a challenge.
MPCA completes 39 enforcement cases in third quarter of 2018 —
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Penalties from all 39 cases totaled just over $203,000.
Comment period extended for environmental review and permit for dairy expansion in Winona County —
Friday, October 12, 2018
The agency extended the public comment period by two weeks due to requests from many citizens.
Dairy proposing major expansion in Winona County —
Monday, October 1, 2018
The proposal would increase the dairy herd from 1,728 cows and calves to 4,628 total.
Open for comment: Proposal to remove the fish impairment from the St Louis River Area of Concern —
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
The St. Louis River AOC will have seven remaining impairments to address before the entire St Louis River AOC can be delisted.
MPCA reaches settlement with Hastings flour company on air quality violations —
Monday, September 24, 2018
The company agreed to correct the violations and will pay a $32,485 civil penalty.
MPCA invites comment on proposed swine expansion in Freeborn County —
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
The proposer plans to build a new 2,500-head swine finishing facility about 2 miles southwest of Alden.
MPCA postpones decision on proposed feedlot in Fillmore County —
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is postponing its decision on whether to order an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed swine facility in Fillmore County.
Dairy proposing major expansion in Wabasha County —
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Scotch Prairie Farms in Wabasha County, about seven miles southeast of Lake City, is proposing to triple its dairy operation, according to an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
Air quality alert issued due to wildfire smoke for Monday, August 20, into Tuesday, August 21 —
Monday, August 20, 2018
The affected area includes the Ely, Hibbing, Duluth, Brainerd, Alexandria, St. Cloud, Marshall, and Mankato, and the tribal nations of Grand Portage, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, and Mille Lacs.
Air quality alert issued for southern half of Minnesota due to wildfire smoke from Friday, Aug. 17 into Sunday, Aug. 19 —
Friday, August 17, 2018
This is in addition to the air quality alert already in effect for the northern half of the state and the affected area now includes the Twin Cities metro area, Mankato, Rochester, and St. Cloud and the tribal nations of Upper Sioux and Prairie Island.