Richard Grand Wildlife Project fined

According to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation, the Richard Grand Wildlife Project began construction in October 2022 without a stormwater permit or a stormwater pollution prevention plan.

The project also failed to control erosion and sediment runoff at a pond and wetland improvement site near Finlayson.

As a result, the project fined $19,641 for the violations.

The project continued without required permits until June 2023. During this time, the MPCA informed and reminded Richard Grand that it must obtain a construction stormwater permit.

MPCA staff inspections confirmed other violations including:

• Failing to train staff on establishing sediment and erosion control practices and permit compliance requirements.

• Failing to stabilize exposed soils and install downgradient redundant silt fencing to control sediment.

• Failing to conduct required site inspections to ensure erosion and sediment controls were properly installed and maintained or repaired, especially after rain events.

In addition to paying the $19,641 civil penalty, Richard Grand obtained the required permit and completed a series of corrective actions to bring the site into compliance.

MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.

When calculating penalties, the MPCA considers how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations.

The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.