In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 39 enforcement cases in 26 counties throughout Minnesota during the third quarter of 2018. Penalties from all 39 cases totaled just over $203,000, according to a press release.

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 39 recently-completed cases, the MPCA also has 37 ongoing enforcement investigations, 17 of which were opened as new cases during the third 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.

Area cases which led to penalties include:

• Casey’s General Stores Inc., Ellendale, for construction stormwater violations, $20,000

• DKMC Development LLP, Rochester, for construction stormwater violations, $7,390

• Tri-City Wastewater Treatment Systems Board, Wells, for municipal wastewater violations, $6,854

• Greg Strobel, Janesville, for construction stormwater and feedlot violations, $4,300

• Hodgman Drainage Company Inc., Dexter, Fairmont and Glennville, for solid waste violations, $6,840

• Eaton Bros. Properties LLC, Waseca, for solid waste violations, $2,810

• Early Iron Restoration LLC, Rochester, for air quality violations, $1,950

• Jon Mutschler, Bricelyn, for subsurface sewage treatment violations, $1,000

A complete summary of environmental enforcement actions and news releases appear on the MPCA’s Enforcement Summary webpage. For questions on specific enforcement cases, contact Information Officer Steve Mikkelson at 218-316-3887 or  800-657-3864.