A battle may be brewing over how we recycle our bottles in Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has released a report that calls for a switch to a 10-cent deposit on beverage containers.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency plans to make preliminary recommendations by the end of February on whether state standards to protect wild rice from sulfates should be changed.
State pollution officials have begun monitoring the Upper Mississippi River to study its health in terms of aquatic life, recreation and fish consumption. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will take water chemistry samples over two years and analyze them by late 2015.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting air quality across Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says monitors across the state are measuring elevated levels of fine particle pollution. Satellite imagery indicates the Canadian smoke is blanketing much of Minnesota.
The buyers of the closed Sartell paper mill will likely have to have an environmental assessment done on the property as part of any redevelopment plans.
St. Cloud's Lake George has made a list of impaired waters. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has added 511 streams, lakes and other bodies to its updated impaired waters list. The state agency now lists 3,643 waters as impaired, which means they fail to meet standards for activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Paynesville City officials continue to be frustrated with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and their legislative delegation over lack of action over a benzene plume under the city. The PCA has been monitoring the plume under a former gas station site for 20 years, and at one point recommended excavating it.