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“Urban wood,” or wood salvaged from cities, suburbs, and towns, is a growing issue in Minnesota because of severe weather, urban expansion, and the emerald ash borer. Rather than burning the trees as waste, a preferred option for dealing with urban wood involves creating durable wood products like furniture, building materials, and wooden décor.

The MPCA is working on both short and long-term solutions to the growing waste problems in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

MPCA's fish sampling process and why we do it

Water scientists from the MPCA published four watershed reports in 2025, updating the data we need to keep Minnesota’s waters clean and protected.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a man-made chemical commonly found in wood finishes, glues and adhesives, paint or paint removers, and spot and metal cleaners. Exposure can have significant effects…

Industrial Stormwater Steps to Compliance Step 4: Create SWPPP, choose BMPs

The Mustinka River begins its course southwest of Fergus Falls in southwestern Otter Tail County and flows toward the south into Grant County, where it continues through Stony Brook Lake and Lightning Lake.

MPCA had approximately $250,000 available to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) through the use of stage 1 vapor recovery systems at gasoline-dispensing facilities throughout Minnesota.

Smart technology, conservation practices, and a commitment to clean water help this family dairy and crop operation thrive — while protecting rivers, streams, and future generations.

Southeastern Minnesota is characterized by an unusual type of geography called karst, where the distinction between groundwater and surface water is blurry.

From shorter winter ice seasons to shifting fish populations, climate change is transforming Minnesota lakes as we know them.

Plastic can be recycled, but it’s often not, a situation the MPCA aims to resolve with grants to develop markets for recycled plastic.

Training resources for feedlot officers in Minnesota.

The Minnesota State Implementation Plan (SIP) is focused on the six criteria air pollutants regulated by national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS): ground-level ozone, fine particles, lead, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.

Resources developed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to help you spread the word about how Minnesota will reduce “forever chemicals” through Amara’s Law.

Help your school get a recycling program organized and operating successfully.

The Wild Rice River begins its course at Mud Lake in Minnesota's Clearwater County, and flows largely to the west through Norman and Mahnomen counties.

The Rum River Watershed covers 997,060 acres in east-central Minnesota, covering parts of Aitkin, Crow Wing, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Benton, Isanti, Chisago, Sherburne, and Anoka counties.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is planning to add sites in New Hope, Saint Paul, and Rochester to the state's Permanent List of Priorities (PLP). Members of the public are invited to provide comments.

This feature summarizes findings from four WRAPS reports in 2024: Root River, Mississippi River-St. Cloud, Pomme de Terre River, and Mississippi River-Lake Pepin Tributaries.