MPCA takes 27 enforcement actions in fourth quarter of 2011

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency sent this bulletin at 02/09/2012 10:30 AM CST

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For release: Feb. 9, 2012

Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887 or 800-657-3864

Note to editors, news directors: The cases listed in this news release are from these counties: Anoka, Blue Earth, Brown, Crow Wing, Faribault, Fillmore, Goodhue, Hennepin, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Lyon, Meeker, Morrison, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Polk, Redwood, Rice, Roseau, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Wadena and Washington.

MPCA takes 27 enforcement actions in fourth quarter of 2011

St. Paul, Minn. ¾ In its ongoing efforts to protect the environment, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 27 enforcement cases addressing air, water, hazardous waste, and solid waste pollution during the fourth quarter of 2011. The cases occurred at facilities in 27 counties throughout Minnesota. For all of 2011, the MPCA completed 159 enforcement cases.

“This is really about balancing our charge to protect the environment while maintaining a level playing field for all businesses,” says MPCA Compliance and Enforcement Manager Jeff Connell. “Agency staff continues to provide support and information on how to stay in compliance for any company or local government seeking help.”

The following 27 cases were completed in the fourth quarter of 2011, with penalty fine amounts in parentheses:

  • Marathon Petroleum Co., LLC, St. Paul Park: water- and air-quality violations ($700,000)
  • Corn Plus, Winnebago: air-quality violations ($310,000)
  • Long Prairie Packing Co., LLC, Long Prairie: water-quality violations ($52,000)
  • Central Boiler, Inc., Greenbush: air-quality violations ($22,000)
  • Homecrest Outdoor Living, Wadena: air-quality violations ($13,000)
  • Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, Priam: air-quality violations ($10,000)
  • KBI, Inc., Eden Valley: water-quality violations ($8,225)
  • ATEK Manufacturing, LLC, Brainerd: water-quality and hazardous waste violations ($8,125)
  • Carly Winscher Farm, Royalton: feedlot violations ( $6,900)
  • Boise White Paper, LLC, International Falls: water-quality violations ($5,010)
  • Justin Roelofs, Mankato, solid waste violations: ($4,970)
  • Wanamingo Demolition Landfill, Wanamingo: solid waste violations ($4,200)
  • MAACO Auto Painting & Collision Center, St. Louis Park: air-quality violations ($4,000)
  • ANI Pharmaceuticals, Baudette: water-quality violations ($4,650)
  • Thomas Stonich-Strizich Road Compliance Upgrade, Side Lake: stormwater violations ($3,380)
  • Hancock wastewater treatment plant, Hancock: water-quality violations ($3,334)
  • Lon Little Excavating & Pumping & Drain Service, Dundas: individual septic treatment system violations ($2,707)
  • City of Erskine Fire Department, Erskine: solid waste violations ($2,625)
  • Brown County Sanitary Landfill, Sleepy Eye: solid waste violations ($2,075)
  • Mathiowetz Enterprises, Sleepy Eye: solid waste violations ($2,075)
  • City of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids: stormwater violations ($2,000)
  • Kevin and Teresa Roesler, Harmony: individual septic treatment system violations ($1,000)

The penalties for the following cases are forgivable if corrective actions are completed:

  • Minnesota Power-Laskin Energy Center, Hoyt Lakes: water-quality violations ($3,500)
  • R-TEA Manufacturing, First State Tire Disposal, Inc., East Bethel: solid waste violations ($3,500)
  • Lamberton wastewater treatment plant, Lamberton: water-quality violations ($1,375)
  • Rogge Excavating, Inc., Ghent: solid waste violations ($1,320)
  • Josh Olson and Todd David Olson, Northwoods Excavating Services, Inc., Bovey: stormwater and solid waste violations ($650)

The total of fines in the fourth quarter was just under $1.2 million. A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases can be found on the MPCA’s News Media Center webpage. For questions on specific enforcement cases, call Stephen Mikkelson, Information Officer at 218-316-3887 or 800-657-3864.

Broadcast version

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency completed 27 enforcement cases in the fourth quarter of 2011. The M-P-C-A takes enforcement actions to protect the environment by addressing air, water, hazardous waste, and solid waste pollution.

Jeff Connell of the M-P-C-A says, “These enforcement actions are about protecting the environment while making sure all regulated businesses have an even playing field.”

In all of 2011, the M-P-C-A completed 159 enforcement cases statewide.

A complete list of all enforcement actions can be found on the agency’s website at www.pca.state.mn.us.

 
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The mission of the MPCA is to work with Minnesotans to protect, conserve and improve our environment and enhance our quality of life.

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