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Environmental rules and regulations are essential tools used to protect Minnesota’s environment, setting standards for environmental quality and limits on pollutants that can be discharged from facilities. The MPCA helps protect our environment by writing and enforcing these rules and regulations.

Green and safer product chemistry is formulating or designing a new product (or reformulating an existing one) to reduce harmful environmental, workplace, human health, and energy use effects over the product's entire life cycle.

1,4-dioxane was mainly used as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvent 1,1,1-trichloroethane. 1,4-dioxane can also be an unintended contaminant in the production of certain products, including some…

Researchers collect samples of sediment from the bottom of Lake of the Woods in 2024. (Photo courtesy of St. Croix Watershed Research Station) After years of study…

A TMDL addressing excess bacteria in 22 stream reaches and protection strategies for 29 stream and river reaches in the Upper Mississippi River watershed.

Any facility that emits air pollutants above certain levels is required to have an air quality permit.

The MPCA uses the EQuIS database to store and manage monitoring data and associated laboratory results from streams, lakes, groundwater, ambient air, soil, sediment, and gas, collected through MPCA programs and partnerships.

The MPCA works with partners throughout Minnesota each year to gauge the health of waters and identify stressors that harm fish and other aquatic life.

The fines stem from a release of sediment-laden water into a county ditch, and subsequent failures to notify, repair, and report on the incident.

In the management of construction stormwater, MPCA recognizes Southwest Light Rail Extension project for responsible development through stormwater controls.

The MPCA has released Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint — a strategic, coordinated approach developed by multiple agencies to protect families and communities from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Solid waste facilities may close or terminate their permit depending on the solid waste activities occurring at the site.

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.

This TMDL addresses 39 stream and river reaches in the Lower Mississippi and Cedar River basins with excess levels of fecal coliform.

Superfund requires specific investigation and cleanup processes, designates parties that are legally responsible for the cleanup, and provides funds for certain types of cleanups under Minnesota’s Environmental Response and Liability Act (MERLA).

The TMDL is based on 62 impairments for turbidity and total suspended solids along the Minnesota River and its tributaries and in the Greater Blue Earth River basin.

From 2023-2025, Northshore Mining released recycled water to the ground seven times and water relating to mining processes four times. Its largest unpermitted release was nearly 400,000 gallons of recycled water. Northshore Mining has documented equipment failure as the reason for the 11 releases.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Emergency Response Program (ERP) oversees the cleanup of all types of spills and environmental emergencies.

Each year, MPCA hires seasonal positions to assist with biological monitoring of streams and wetlands during the summer months.

A successful cleanup of contaminated land along the Cedar River in Austin caps a long history of industrial pollution.