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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended an air quality alert for southeast and northern Minnesota. The alert is now in effect until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, for southeast Minnesota and until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13 for northern Minnesota. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Image Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category for all of Minnesota, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups.The Minnesota Pollution…

Feedlot nutrient and manure management

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for north and central Minnesota. The alert runs until 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, across north central, northwest, northeast, and east central Minnesota, and the orange AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across central, east central, west central, north central, and northwest Minnesota.

Climate adaptation is about developing strategies to help human and natural systems become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has canceled portions of the current air quality alert for western and southern Minnesota. The alert runs until 11 p.m. on Friday, July 25. Fine particle levels are expected to reach the red air quality index (AQI) category, a level considered unhealthy for everyone, in east central Minnesota, and the orange AQI category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across the remainder of the alert area.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert all of Minnesota through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12. The maximum air quality index category for the area is red, which is unhealthy for everyone.

Minnesota’s air currently meets all federal air quality standards. However, even levels of air pollution below the standards can affect people’s health, including levels currently found in parts of Minnesota.

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.

Nitrogen management plans help operators of wastewater treatment facilities understand the inputs of nitrogen to their facilities and evaluate options that can reduce the amount of nitrogen discharged.

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State experts anticipate an active summer for air quality alerts with recurring ozone and wildfire smoke events

MPCA established a network of long-term biological monitoring stations that represent a variety of stream types in their most natural condition.

MPCA evaluates water quality by measuring and monitoring the health of fish, macroinvertebrates, and plants.

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 this spring confirms that the source of the elevated lead levels has been addressed.

A cumulative impacts analysis provides a comprehensive look at all burdens that affect a community or neighborhood.

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.

Answers to frequently asked questions about compliance and MPCA's enforcement of environmental rules in Minnesota.

MPCA's fish sampling process and why we do it

Information for cannabis growers and processors to understand environmental regulations and permits that may apply to their businesses.