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Image Climate change is having a profound impact on Minnesota's natural environment. Many of our state's iconic native plants and animals — from birch…
Regular people are pretty good at judging water quality, and new research from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) proves it.
State agencies, counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and many others are engaged in protecting Minnesota lakes.
The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. Minnesota water quality standards strives to protect water for use, measures health of waters, and guides limits on what regulated facilities can discharge to surface waters.
Coal tar-based sealants can no longer be sold or applied legally in Minnesota as of 2014.
Excess phosphorus is harming Minnesota waters. Phosphorus comes from both regulated and non-regulated sources. A quarter of Minnesota lakes have high levels of phosphorus, which means that they do…
From January through March 2025, MPCA air monitoring data showed elevated lead levels that exceeded national ambient air quality standards near the facility. An MPCA inspection of Gopher Resource in spring 2025 confirmed that the source of the elevated lead levels was addressed.
The MPCA's air monitors continually measure pollutants. With this data, the agency can track pollution trends over time and show if outdoor air meets air quality standards and health benchmarks.
Air pollution levels in Minnesota have steadily decreased over the past few decades and currently meet federal standards. But even levels that meet or are below these standards can affect people’s…
The MPCA 401 certification fills a unique niche in protecting water quality by applying state water quality standards to projects.
Chloride is a problem for wastewater facilities and stormwater permittees.
Water softeners produce much of the chloride that pollutes Minnesota’s waters. An MPCA grant aims to reduce that pollution with water softener replacement rebate programs.
Wild rice is an important part of the biological community in many Minnesota lakes, streams, and wetlands, and a cultural resource to many, particularly members of the Dakota and Ojibwe Tribal Nations in Minnesota.
The Mississippi River - Headwaters Watershed consists of 1.26 million acres (1,961 square miles) and contains the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca in Itasca State Park. The watershed includes parts of Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard and Itasca counties.
To ensure that every person in Minnesota has healthy air to breathe, the MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates air pollutants, primarily in three categories: criteria pollutants, air toxics, and greenhouse gases.
Spring is the time for awakening gardens from their slumber and cleaning up the yard. It’s also a good time to start thinking about a backyard compost pile. Here’s how to build one that’ll enhance soil health and that your neighbors won’t mind.
Industrial stormwater steps to compliance Step 6: Meet requirements
The MPCA is working to address environmental concerns at the closed Freeway Landfill, to prevent the buried waste from affecting drinking water and the nearby Minnesota River.
The MPCA, Dakota County, and the Minnesota Department of Health will jointly host two community meetings about a recent event at Gopher Resource in Eagan.
A TMDL to address E. coli aquatic recreation impairments in five main-stem reaches of the Minnesota River.