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The Shell Rock River begins at Albert Lea Lake in Freeborn County in south-central Minnesota, a few miles from the Iowa border. It flows 113 miles into Iowa, where it enters the Cedar River. In Minnesota, the Shell Rock drains 246 square miles (160,000 acres), all in Freeborn County.
Forms and guidance for local partners submitting surface water data, QA/QC information and progress reports to MPCA.
The environmental justice advisory group (EJAG) advises the MPCA commissioner on the implementation of the agency's environmental justice framework, provides feedback on its effectiveness, and offers suggestions for future improvements.
An MPCA investigation determined that General Mills violated state rule at its oat processing facility in Fridley on several occasions from 2019 through 2023.
During a residential construction project in Franklin Township in 2024, Capstone Homes and Arnt Construction failed to properly manage construction stormwater activities.
An MPCA investigation determined David Heinonen of Grand Rapids filled in 3,200 square feet of wetland near Horsehead Lake in Itasca County without prior approval and engaged in unpermitted construction activities on 1.57 acres on the shore of Horsehead Lake.
The MPCA fined Regions Hospital $100,000 for improperly disposing of infectious waste in its mixed municipal solid waste in 2024.
MPCA investigation determined Derek Vekich committed stormwater and wetland violations in 2024.
Lakes Concrete Plus, Inc. paid $25,000 in fines for selling 1,500-gallon and 2,000-gallon septic tanks from 2019 to 2022 that may contain weep holes, a violation of Minnesota law.
Failed emissions performance stack tests on two boilers in the fall of 2023 at its sugar beet processing facility in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Septic tank installation fees and system abandonment
Minnesota rules require many facilities that produce air emissions to conduct performance testing.
The MPCA issued a new air quality permit for this manufacturing facility in White Bear Township.
In 2023, Minnesota saw more air quality alerts covering more days than ever before. Smoke from Canadian wildfires throughout the summer caused many of the alerts, though climate change is playing a growing role in Minnesota's air quality.
In early 2024, Minnesota became the first U.S. state to establish a product stewardship program for boat wrap, which must provide free collection, transportation, reuse, recycling, and disposal.
East Central Solid Waste Commission (ECSWC) proposes to add 1.7 million cubic yards of MSW capacity to their landfill near Mora, Minnesota, which requires an environmental impact statement.
Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality certified farms have added more than 2,000 new conservation practices, including over 110,000 acres of new cover crops that protect Minnesota’s waters.
Do not throw any hazardous waste in the trash; instead, bring it to a local collection site. Each county in Minnesota administers a household hazardous waste program to help prevent hazardous chemicals from getting into the environment and harming human health.
Central Bi-Products emitted higher levels of hydrogen sulfide than is allowed, causing odor complaints in the community of Long Prairie and resulting in a $3 million fine. Central Bi-Products has agreed to spend a minimum of $4.4 million on a supplemental environmental project that will improve its wastewater treatment.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Emergency Response Program (ERP) oversees the cleanup of all types of spills and environmental emergencies.