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Volunteer-collected data are regularly used in decision-making and conservation efforts. Find a program that excites you and join in.

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.

The MPCA completed 68 enforcement cases for water quality, air quality, hazardous waste, stormwater, and wastewater violations in the first half of 2025.

MPCA investigation found that Heron Lake BioEnergy LLC exceeded its permitted limits of particulate matter (PM) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at its plant in Jackson County.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency seeks public comment on a draft industrial wastewater permit that provides various improvements to better protect the environment and human health at Northshore Mining Co.'s taconite processing facility and tailings basin in Silver Bay, Minnesota.

Kohlman Lake, one of 27 bodies of water to come off the impaired waters list this year, did so with substantial help from the Clean Water Fund.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is planning amendments to rules governing water quality fees (Minn. R. ch. 7002 and 7083).

DENCO II LLC failed a stack test in April, 2024, that showed that the facility exceeded its permit limit for particulate matter by more than 170%.

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.

The MPCA will analyze varying background sulfate levels across Minnesota, which could inform our implementation of the wild rice sulfate water quality standard.

We Are Water MN travels to Chisago County, where Dawn White has served as an educator and policy team member focused on preserving waters.

Enbridge Energy is continuing restoration work around its new Line 3 crude oil pipeline across Minnesota. The new line replaces an aging Line 3 and began operating in October 2021, after Enbridge completed the project’s construction phase.

MPCA investigators say West Fraser paid a fine of $15,775 for air permit violations at their facility in Solway.

The MPCA has announced eight grant recipients that will receive a total of over $1 million in grants for projects focused on waste reduction and reuse. These statewide efforts will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, reduce the demand for resources, and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

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 Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative emitted higher levels of hydrogen sulfide than allowed from its Renville facility, resulting in a $1.15 million fine following an MPCA investigation.

Implementing water quality standards come with tangible costs and benefits. Costs such as taxes to residents, regulated parties, and communities help achieve benefits such as increased property values, tourism, and protecting human health.

Learn about environmental regulations that may apply to your business. It is not an exhaustive list, so other regulations may apply.

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.

Thanks to years of restoration efforts, the MPCA confirmed the Kabekona River meets water quality standards for recreation and proposed its removal from the 2026 impaired waters list.