MnDOT pays pollution fine to other state agency
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is paying a fine to another state agency for polluting a river during road construction.
MnDOT and its contractors have paid nearly $14,000 for allowing sediment-laden stormwater to enter the Rum River, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Thursday.
The incident happened three years ago during construction on a bridge that crosses the river near Princeton, Minn., in Mille Lacs County. Inspectors found that the construction site's controls for sediment and erosion weren't good enough. The MPCA didn't announce the violations until Thursday.
Sediment and stormwater can contain large amounts of phosphorus that can harm lakes and rivers.
Besides paying the fine, officials say MnDOT and its contractors have fixed the problem and are complying with stormwater rules.
The Rum River is listed as a scenic and recreational special water and has more stringent requirements than other waters.
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