ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) fined Stickney Hill Dairy $14,292 for stormwater violations in April and May of 2023.

An MPCA investigation found the dairy discharged an undetermined amount of raw goat milk product on April 11, 2023, and May 19, 2023.

Stickney Hill Dairy will take corrective steps for improperly discharging industrial waste into a city curb and gutter stormwater system in Nicollet County, according to a settlement between it and the MPCA.

A 2023 MPCA staff inspection confirmed other alleged violations including failure to immediately notify the MPCA of the discharge and failure to minimize discharge and recovery of the goat milk product as rapidly as possible.

In addition to paying the civil penalty, Stickney Hill Dairy must complete corrective actions including submitting a permit application for industrial stormwater coverage, submitting a plan for MPCA review detailing procedures to eliminate the possibility of re-occurrence and submitting a report detailing procedures to notify the Minnesota Duty Officer and explaining how the dairy will recover and limit pollution to state waters.

Other completed MPCA enforcement cases in the first half of 2024 include fining the Lake Allie wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) in Buffalo Lake $13,005 for violating a wastewater permit during from Nov. 9, 2023 to Dec. 22, 2023. The violation occurred while the WWTF was being upgraded.

The MPCA found that a subcontractor failed to haul wastewater to the Hutchinson WWTF for treatment completion; instead applying 183,000 gallons of partially-treated wastewater to land.

The Lake Allie WWTF has completed a corrective action and submitted a plan to prevent future unauthorized discharges or releases of wastewater to ensure permit requirements are met.

CW Welding & Fabrication, LLC was fined $2,350 for industrial stormwater violations in Vesta.

Schwan’s Company was fined $1,028 for hazardous waste violations in Marshall.

Farmer’s Union Industries, LLC was fined $997 for construction stormwater violations in Redwood Falls.

Everstrong Construction Inc. was fined $592 for construction stormwater violations in Redwood Falls.

For more information, visit https://www.pca.state.mn.us/