Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Permitting and Enforcement The MPCA issues permits and licenses (air, feedlots, solid waste, water, wastewater, hazardous waste, storage tanks, stormwater, etc.) with requirements calibrated to the project’s size and risk. Most major permits require a 30-day public notice, with possible public hearings. If there’s significant pollution risk unaddressable by conditions, MPCA may deny a permit. Non-compliance can result in administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, and possible permit revocation. Businesses should maintain qualified staff and robust procedures to ensure compliance. Key Regulated Areas • Air Emissions: Required for facilities using high volumes of VOC (volatile organic compounds), processing certain materials, or operating combustion equipment. Small businesses may qualify for simplified registration permits; very small or exempt activities need no permit. • Solid Waste : Any industrial facility, municipality, or private entity must obtain a solid waste
management facility permit or permit modification to: • treat, store, process, transfer, or dispose of solid waste
• establish, construct, or operate a solid waste management facility • change, add, or expand a permitted solid waste management facility Metropolitan counties may have additional local requirements.
• Hazardous Waste : Any business generating hazardous waste must determine if the kind of waste created is subject to fee, reporting, and licensing requirements. The amount of hazardous waste generated will dictate the waste generator status for the year as a minimal-, very small-, small-, or large-quantity generator, or a one-time generator. Licensing requirements are based on these categories. • Storage Tanks : MPCA regulates both underground and aboveground commercial storage tanks above a certain size that hold petroleum or hazardous liquids. Tanks must be built and installed to meet a set of technical standards and comply with state rules and permits. • Water (Wastewater/Stormwater) : Discharge and waste management must meet requirements of MPCA and, in metro areas, the Met Council Environmental Services. Industrial stormwater permits are required for many manufacturing, warehousing, and marina operations. • Waste and recycling : MPCA sets regulations for haulers, landfills, composting facilities, transfer stations, and disposal facilities. • Feedlots : MPCA rules govern the collection, transportation, storage, processing, and land application of animal manure and other livestock operation wastes. The rules apply to most aspects of livestock management including the location, design, construction, operation, and management of feedlots and manure handling facilities. • Septic Systems : MPCA rules govern how septic systems are designed, installed, and managed. Rules are implemented and enforced through local ordinances by counties, cities, and townships.
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