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Water quality trading is a market-based approach to the protection and restoration of surface waters, another tool to be used in conjunction with existing voluntary, regulatory, and financial assistance programs.
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.
Under the federal Clean Water Act, states must designate beneficial uses for all waters and develop water quality standards to protect each use.
Protecting and restoring water quality is one of the MPCA's core areas of focus.
EPA awards Minnesota $200 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
State agencies, counties, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and many others are engaged in protecting Minnesota lakes.
In collaboration with other state agencies, local governments, and Tribal Nations, the MPCA will distribute $200 million over the next five years to cut climate pollution from our food systems through the climate-smart food systems (CSFS) initiative. A portion of these funds will help farmers across Minnesota adopt climate-friendly practices.
A water quality variance is a temporary change in a state's water quality standard for a specific pollutant and its relevant criteria, allowing deviation from meeting a water quality-based effluent limit for a particular discharger.
Heartland Corn Products failed emission stack tests in November 2021 and February 2022 for volatile organic compounds and particulates at its ethanol production facility in Winthrop, Minn.
Waterways in the northeastern part of the state are generally in better condition than those in the southern, central, and western regions.
The MPCA works with city and county governments, watershed districts, consultants, and others on monitoring, protecting, and restoring water quality. This is a repository of guidance and technical resources for agency partners.
From the days when raw sewage flowed into rivers and lakes, Minnesota’s water bodies have come a long way. However, there is still work to be done in the restoration and protection of our waters.
What is the blue-green scum that looks like spilled paint?In lakes that are over-enriched with phosphorus and nitrogen, algae tend to prosper and create algae blooms. Blue-green algae and one type in…
The MPCA plans to amend Minnesota Rules chapter 7050, which establishes beneficial uses and water quality standards to protect those uses, and designates where the uses occur in waters of the state.
Healthy land and soil is essential for thriving Minnesota communities. It drives economic development and opportunity, improves our health, and contributes to clean water for drinking and recreation…
Failed emissions performance stack tests on two boilers in the fall of 2023 at its sugar beet processing facility in Moorhead, Minnesota.
The MPCA issued a new air quality permit for this manufacturing facility in White Bear Township.
Water quality trades that have been arranged in Minnesota illustrate many opportunities to enhance pollution reduction efforts while offering flexibility and cost savings to regulated municipalities and industries.
Minnesota GreenCorps members serving with the City of Minneapolis developed a mini-course for residents about responsible use of deicing salt.
Northern Iron operates an iron foundry in an environmental justice area in Saint Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood.