Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

The Minnesota Department of Economic and Employment Development recently awarded the city a $589,926 grant to develop its rail corridor — a contaminated site with minimal infrastructure.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says an air permit for MagIron's new scram mining operation will help control dust. But some Coleraine residents aren't so sure.

The permit for MagIron LLC will require a Fugitive Dust Control Plan, intended to help reduce dust emissions from roads, storage, stockpiles and exposed mining areas.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said cleanup is ongoing after the coal ash wastewater spill, including soil and water testing.

Early test results show elevated sulfate levels in water, threatening Blackwater Lake's abundant wild rice. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency continues to oversee mitigation.

Contaminant tests are planned for Thursday. Major concerns have yet to emerge, but the Leech Lake emergency management director expressed concern about wild rice harvest impacts.

The leak occurred at Minnesota Power's Boswell Energy Center. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency both responded.