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News releases

MPCA denies Northern Metal Recycling’s extension to continue operating its shredder in Minneapolis — Thursday, July 18, 2019

The metal recycler had agreed in a Feb. 28, 2017, court settlement to cease shredding at the Minneapolis facility by Aug. 1, 2019.

Mississippi River-Grand Rapids Watershed has “very good” water quality — Tuesday, July 16, 2019

According to new draft reports released by the MPCA, the Mississippi River – Grand Rapids Watershed has very good overall water quality, but forest protection is critical to preserving it.

Low flows, bacteria, suspended sediment hurting recreation in Red Lake River Watershed — Tuesday, July 16, 2019

According to new draft reports released by the MPCA, there are 31 impairments for fish and aquatic insects and recreation in 19 reaches of the Red Lake River and its tributaries.

MPCA denies Water Gremlin’s extension for testing its pollution control equipment — Friday, July 12, 2019

“Water Gremlin has had more than enough time to get its pollution control equipment fully operational and tested,” said MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop.

MPCA seeks new community members for Environmental Justice Advisory Group — Tuesday, July 2, 2019

The group's charter and application materials can be found on the MPCA’s Environmental Justice Advisory Group webpage.

MPCA to review environmental impacts of Burnsville Sanitary Landfill’s expansion proposal — Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The expansion would increase the site's currently permitted capacity from 25.4 million cubic yards of mixed municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and industrial waste to approximately 47 million cubic yards.

MPCA, DNR issue joint statement on Line 3 decision — Tuesday, June 18, 2019

After reviewing the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ ruling regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Line 3 project, the MPCA has determined the court’s decision has implications for how this work will proceed.

MPCA seeks public comments on proposed new hog feedlot in Waseca County — Monday, June 17, 2019

It will have two confinement barns, a mortality composting building, a stormwater detention pond, and a new water well.

MPCA, city of Avon seek solutions to chloride in local wastewater — Thursday, June 13, 2019

Chloride from de-icing salt and water softeners gets into lakes, streams and even groundwater, and once in the water, there is no easy way to remove it.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot expansion in Jackson County — Thursday, June 13, 2019

The proposal would expand the number of pigs at the site from 2,400 to 4,800.

MPCA proposes clearer requirements for industrial stormwater management — Monday, May 20, 2019

The permit applies to more than 4,000 businesses in Minnesota, including salvage yards and scrap recyclers, landfills, airports, trucking companies, food processors, and manufacturers.

MPCA needs nearly 700 volunteers to conduct water monitoring at high-priority sites — Tuesday, May 14, 2019

The MPCA needs volunteers to measure water clarity in hundreds of streams — including 676 high-priority sites — and 2,857 lakes, then report back to the agency.

Comment sought on cleanup of the ponds behind Erie Pier — Monday, April 8, 2019

These open bodies of water behind Duluth’s Erie Pier were the subject of a 2015 cleanup investigation.

MPCA recognizes wastewater facilities for operational excellence — Thursday, April 4, 2019

In Minnesota, there are about 1,600 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities.

Amid positive fish research, St. Louis River Area of Concern receives approval to remove impairment listing — Monday, March 25, 2019

This accomplishment is another step toward the AOC’s entire delisting, which is targeted for 2025.

MPCA seeks comment on changes to wastewater infrastructure in Albertville — Monday, March 18, 2019

The new pipe’s discharge point to the Mississippi River will be in Otsego.

Cedar River watershed: Keep the projects coming to keep reducing pollutants — Monday, March 4, 2019

Because most of the land in this watershed is used for agriculture, that is where most of the strategies need to be implemented.

White Bear company to pay major penalty for release of hazardous air pollutant — Friday, March 1, 2019

The company will pay a civil penalty of $4.5 million, take corrective actions at their site, conduct air monitoring for several years valued at roughly $1 million, and conduct two supplemental environmental projects valued at least $1.5 million.

Red River: Water quality concerns growing in river popular for recreation — Tuesday, February 26, 2019

The Red River of the North, a popular recreation river, has a variety of challenges to its water quality, according to a newly released report from the MPCA.

MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop looks to collaborate as EQB Chair — Friday, February 22, 2019

MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop looking forward to collaborating with fellow state agency leaders and citizen board members as the newly appointed chair of the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB).

St. Cloud welcomes MPCA Commissioner to discuss budget initiatives, agency priorities — Thursday, February 21, 2019

MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop travels to St. Cloud to meeting with students in a wastewater treatment training program, and with students and staff at Westwood Elementary School.

Livestock and septic systems contribute to Minnesota River E. coli impairments — Monday, February 4, 2019

There are two primary sources of concern for E. coli entering the Minnesota River: livestock from unpermitted animal feeding operations, and septic systems that represent public health threats.

State investigates air emissions at White Bear Township manufacturer — Thursday, January 31, 2019

The facility has pollution control equipment designed to limit TCE emissions, but the MPCA and MDH recently learned that the equipment was not functioning properly and may not have been for some time. 

MPCA completes 31 enforcement cases in fourth quarter of 2018 — Tuesday, January 22, 2019

In all of 2018, the MPCA completed 194 cases, totaling $1,062,440 in penalties.

MPCA says state’s air quality good, but not for all — Tuesday, January 8, 2019

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.