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March 4, 2014 11:00 AM

Sunken Great Lakes oil pipeline raises spill fears

The Straits of Mackinac is drawing attention for something that is out of sight and usually out of mind, and which some consider a symbol of the dangers lurking in the nation's sprawling web of buried oil and natural gas pipelines.

by John Flesher, Associated Press

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March 4, 2014 8:54 AM

Lawmakers discuss giving DNR tighter grip on irrigation, industrial water use

A Department of Natural Resources request for a bigger stick to deal with irrigators and other big water users who violate permit requirements has run into both backing and criticism at the Legislature.

by Elizabeth Dunbar

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March 3, 2014 2:15 PM

DNR names agency veteran to run Minnesota parks and trails

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources veteran Erika Rivers will take over the DNR's Parks and Trails Division when its current director, Courtland Nelson, retires in April.

by Elizabeth Dunbar

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March 3, 2014 3:47 AM

This nitrate chart looks worrisome. Is it?

A rising percentage of new wells in Minnesota hit nitrate-contaminated water. It needs to be watched.

by Dave Peters

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March 2, 2014 11:35 AM

Bitter winter has been good for air quality

Minnesota's bitter winter has overstayed its welcome for many, but it has been good for the state's air quality.

by Lorna Benson

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February 28, 2014 4:50 PM

Iron Range lawmakers, wild rice interests frustrated by agency's moves on sulfate study

Even if the MPCA releases its sulfate recommendations soon, the issue is unlikely to be resolved quickly.

by Elizabeth Dunbar

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February 27, 2014 6:39 PM

MPCA postpones wild rice recommendations

State officials have put off a decision on whether changes are needed to the sulfate standards for wild rice. The agency gave no detailed explanation for canceling the release Thursday.

by Elizabeth Dunbar

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February 27, 2014 5:25 PM

Duluth, NE Minn. counties receive new flood recovery funding

The funding will help stabilize banks and build retaining walls along several streams that run through Duluth into Lake Superior.

by Dan Kraker

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February 27, 2014 5:22 PM

DNR will not extend comment period on proposed PolyMet mine

About two dozen environmental groups asked the DNR to extend the comment period from 90 days to 180 days. They wanted more time to analyze the complex study and to address what they say are newly discovered gaps in the document.

by Dan Kraker