Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Minnesota's wild rice sulfate standard has been in place since the 1970s but has been lightly enforced. With that changing, Rangers are worried about the potential economic consequences.

Unlined disposal sites would have to close within eight years of the new rules, according to the draft proposal. The agency is accepting comments through Sept. 12, 2025.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has preliminarily decided to issue the permits, and comment is open until Sept. 10, 2025.

Plus: The Minnesota PCA will host an informational meeting on permitting and variance requests from US Steel's Keetac Mine in Virginia on Sept. 3; and Wadena drivers can expect major traffic changes as Highway 10 opens and work starts on Highway 71.

Iron Rangers are concerned about the future of the facility because U.S. Steel estimated an $814 million cost to comply with the state's wild rice sulfate standard.

A boulder riffle and new culverts would allow fish passage upstream and allow for sediments to more naturally flow downstream.

Unhealthy air could be back numerous times before winter falls, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said.

The county applied to add 10 canister locations to the current permit and updated the permit to reflect current state agency requirements.

A year after millions of gallons of coal ash wastewater spilled from a Minnesota Power plant in Cohasset, the groups allege the company hasn't been following federal rules.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's report found many of the lakes, streams and wetlands in the watershed to be in good condition.