In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 72 enforcement cases in 43 counties throughout Minnesota during the first quarter of 2018.  Penalties from all 72 cases totaled just over $330,000.

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 72 recently-completed cases, the MPCA also has 39 ongoing enforcement investigations, 18 of which were opened as new cases during the first quarter of 2018.  Not all investigations lead to fines or other official action.

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, according to a press release

There were two area companies penalized by the MPCA during this period.

AmTech Ingredients of Albert Lea was fined $5,670 for air quality violations and Morrison Wells Co. of Freeborn was fined $3,600 for wastewater violations.