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News releases

Scott Equipment takes actions to reduce air pollution, better manage hazardous waste — Monday, July 16, 2018

The company has also paid a $30,000 penalty to the MPCA as part of the agreement to bring the company into compliance with environmental laws.

China recycling shift an opportunity for Minnesota — Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Focusing on local use of recycled materials in manufacturing wherever possible has created economic development opportunities around the state.

Ethanol summit getting industry, environmental regulators on same page — Thursday, June 28, 2018

The 20 ethanol plants in Minnesota produce more than one billion gallons of clean biofuel annually providing a market for more than 400 million bushels of corn.

Water quality impairments, solutions offered in draft Thief River watershed reports — Monday, June 25, 2018

Two new studies by the MPCA and local watershed partners recommend Thief River watershed landowners promote voluntary practices to reduce water pollution and improve water quality. The draft reports are available for comment through July 25, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. 

Livestock farms in southern Minnesota respond to heavy rains causing manure storage overflows — Friday, June 22, 2018

If manure-storage facilities overflow, if manure enters surface waters, or if a storage structure is inundated by floodwaters, farmers must call the Minnesota Duty Officer immediately at 800-422-0789.

Public comments sought for proposed Pipestone County swine feedlot — Monday, June 18, 2018

CJ Swine, LLC proposes to build a swine finishing feedlot about three miles west of Pipestone in Sweet Township. The public may submit written comments on the proposal until 4:30 p.m. on July 18, 2018.

Comment period for proposed dairy farm near Tintah in Grant County ends July 18 — Monday, June 18, 2018

Riverview, LLP is proposing to develop an 11,000-head Jersey dairy farm  just east of Tintah in Grant County in the Bois de Sioux watershed. MPCA is accepting comments on the project’s environmental review through July 18, 2018. 

Good news, better news in Lake Superior-North watershed draft reports — Monday, June 18, 2018

Only one of 67 streams and 152 lakes evaluated for water quality standards along Lake Superior’s far North Shore does not meet the state’s criteria, according to two draft reports open for public comment through July 19, 2018.

MPCA extends public comment period for proposed hog feedlot in Fillmore County — Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The proposal is to build a new 4,890-head swine farrowing facility about 10 miles east of Harmony in Newburg Township, Fillmore County.

Draft water quality reports offer good news and protection opportunities for Mississippi River-Headwaters watershed — Monday, June 4, 2018

The watershed that includes the iconic Mississippi River Headwaters has very good overall water quality, and forest protection is critical to preserve it.

Air quality alert issued due to ozone for Tuesday, May 29th — Monday, May 28, 2018

The affected area includes the Twin Cities metro, Rochester, and Albert Lea.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed new hog feedlots' expansion in Steele County — Monday, May 28, 2018

The public may submit written comments on the Klemmensen EAW until 4:30 p.m. June 27, 2018.

MPCA beginning second ten-year cycle of water quality monitoring field work throughout Minnesota — Wednesday, May 23, 2018

This work is funded by the Clean Water Fund from the constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2008.

Mankato waste transfer station proposes increase in operating hours — Monday, May 21, 2018

MWPC has seen an increase in waste processing from approximately 43,000 tons per year in 2015 to more than 60,000 tons per year in 2017.

Comment period extended on draft studies that recommend Bois de Sioux River Watershed water quality improvements, protection — Monday, May 7, 2018

The studies found that Bois de Sioux River Watershed water pollution is linked to land alterations designed to promote soil drainage, such as stream channelization and ditching.

Minnesota joins coalition of 17 states to defend national clean car rules — Tuesday, May 1, 2018

The lawsuit claims the EPA acted arbitrarily and capriciously, failed to follow its own Clean Car regulations, and violated the Clean Air Act.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed hog feedlot in Fillmore County — Monday, April 30, 2018

The proposed project would include two barns, an animal mortality composting building, a large stormwater basin, and a livestock watering well.

MPCA seeks comments from public on proposed new hog feedlots in Waseca County — Monday, April 30, 2018

A total of 9,600 finishing hogs would be housed at two new sites each holding two barns, with each barn housing 2,400 head.

MPCA to withdraw Wild Rice rulemaking — Thursday, April 26, 2018

The agency engaged Minnesota Native American tribes, elected officials, businesses and municipal wastewater systems that may be impacted by the rule, and also received thousands of comments from environmental advocacy groups, other stakeholders and the public.

MPCA recognizes wastewater facilities for operational excellence — Thursday, April 26, 2018

To be eligible for this recognition, facilities were required to submit all reports to the MPCA correctly and on time, demonstrate consistent compliance through monitoring, operations, and maintenance, and employ staff certified by the MPCA in wastewater operations.

MPCA completes 72 enforcement cases in first quarter of 2018 — Monday, April 23, 2018

Penalties from all 72 cases totaled just over $330,000.

MPCA permit governing runoff from construction sites has new benefits for permittees — Friday, April 20, 2018

The existing permit is set to expire in August, and the proposed permit features some added flexibility and reduced waiting periods that will benefit permitted contractors.

Public comment period extended for two draft Duluth urban streams reports — Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The reports focus on human-related activities — and possible remedies — for impairments in 11 of 16 state-designated trout streams.

By foot and by boat, volunteers take to the water to collect valuable data — Wednesday, April 18, 2018

More than 1,300 citizen monitors gather data for the MPCA, but more are needed to reach the 69,000 miles of rivers and more than 12,000 lakes in the state.

Draft water quality reports offer opportunities for South Fork Crow River watershed improvements — Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Buffer strips are the top water-quality improvement strategy in the South Fork Crow River watershed, according to new draft reports released by the MPCA.