In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 31 enforcement cases in 25 counties throughout Minnesota during the third quarter of 2017. Penalties from all 31 cases totaled over $170,000.

Environmental enforcement investigations often take several months, and in highly complex cases more than a year. Although, in rare instances, they can involve courts, they are most often negotiated settlements where the goal is compliance with environmental rules. Fines issued are targeted to match the environmental harm, economic advantage gained or environmental corrective actions.

In addition to these 31 recently-completed cases, the MPCA also has 39 ongoing enforcement investigations, 19 of which were opened as new cases during the third quarter of 2017.  Not all investigations lead to fines or other official action.

According to a press release, imposing monetary penalties is only part of the MPCA’s enforcement process. Agency staff continue to provide assistance, support and information on the steps and tools necessary to achieve compliance for any company, individual or local government that requests it.

Karl’s of Wells Inc. in Wells was among those penalized for air quality violations. The business was fined $1,463.

A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases appears on the MPCA’s news media center web page. 

For questions on specific enforcement cases, contact Stephen Mikkelson at 218-316-3887 or (800) 657-3864.