Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reported Monday that Alliance Building Corporation was fined $14,475 for construction storm water permit violations at the Sleepy Eye Apartments development.

SLEEPY EYE — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced Monday it fined Alliance Building Corporation $14,475 for construction storm water permit violations at a Sleepy Eye apartment development.

According to a July 2023 MPCA enforcement investigation, the agency discovered Alliance Building Corporation had construction storm water violations at a 44-unit apartment construction site for failure to prevent liquid washout of waste and failure to identify corrective actions.

The MPCA inspection last summer confirmed other violations including failing to document estimated quantities of soil erosion prevention and sediment control best management practices for the multi-family, market rate housing project.

In addition, the MPCA said Alliance Building Corporation failed to document surface waters, existing wetlands, and storm water ponds receiving storm water during or after construction.

The MPCA reported that in addition to paying the $14,475 civil penalty, Alliance Building Corporation completed a series of corrective actions including:

• Amending the storm water pollution prevention plan to include the estimated quantities of all erosion prevention and sediment control best management practices for the project.

• Performing maintenance activities to repair, replace, or enhance soil stabilization best management practices throughout the site.

• Cleaning up and properly disposing of washout waste residue and providing maintenance to the washout containment area.

• Recording accurate findings and specific locations where corrective actions are needed in inspection reports.

MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities.

When companies don’t fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.

Last April, the Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously consented to an $861,172 property tax abatement for up to 15 years for the apartment complex being built on the east edge of town.

The tax abatement agreement rescinded an earlier approved $580,204 tax abatement. The higher abatement was created due to increased construction costs.

Sleepy Eye City Manager Bob Elston and an MPCA official were not available for comment about the apartment complex Tuesday.

If you have information about a pollution problem you’ve seen, you can submit it to the MPCA at https://www.pca.state.mn.us/about-mpca/contact-us

Call the MPCA at 1-800-657-3864 to report non-emergency environmental regulation violations.