When leaves fall on streets, sidewalks, and other hardscapes in urban areas, they wash into the storm drains and end up in lakes and rivers where they feed algae growth. The algae then decomposes and uses up oxygen that fish and native plants need.
Pollinators are essential to everyday Minnesotans, our economy, and our food production. Learn why these pollinators are so vital through exhibits at this year’s Eco Experience.
A stormwater system upgrade in Duluth was expanded with the help of an MPCA employee who tapped into available funding. It protects Lake Superior and can serve as an example for other cities and counties.
Batteries aren’t trash, they’re treasure: Recycling old batteries gives their materials a new life. Visit CollectED's new, carnival-style interactive exhibit at MPCA's Eco Experience at the Minnesota State Fair to learn more about batteries.
Body
During a residential construction project in Franklin Township in 2024, Capstone Homes and Arnt Construction failed to properly manage construction stormwater activities.
Body
Wastewater treatment plant in Elk River paid a $15,000 fine for consistently discharging fecal coliform and phosphorus into nearby Tibbets Brook.
Body
Nottingham Construction failed to notify the MPCA that it was demolishing a property in Mahtomedi that contained asbestos and failed to send the asbestos demolition debris to a permitted facility.
Body
Sandblasted material from a construction site was deposited on a parking ramp next door.
Body
DENCO II LLC failed a stack test in April, 2024, that showed that the facility exceeded its permit limit for particulate matter by more than 170%.
Throughout her life, Jen Widmer has felt a deep connection to wetlands. As a child, she played broomball on the ice of a wetland near her home. She once attempted swimming in the wetland but was joined by leeches. Despite finding the water “gross,” Widmer recalls fond memories spent along the water’s edge, where she watched geese and other waterfowl.
Now a water resources engineer and a board member of the Ney Nature Center, Widmer gets to restore some of those wetlands that had an influence on her.