The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently launched its new online complaint tracker system. Citizens with environmental complaints can now fill out an online form available via the MPCA web site and click to send it directly to a MPCA inspector.
The MPCA receives about 1,000 environmental complaints from citizens each year. Complaints range from seeing a neighbor illegally dumping garbage to spotting a puzzling oily sheen on a lake.
“The MPCA relies on citizens to notify us of potential environmental problems, whether it’s someone dumping a mystery substance into a river or someone running a business without appropriate environmental safeguards and permits,” said Katie Koelfgen, supervisor, MPCA Air Quality Compliance and Enforcement Unit. “Speed and efficiency are important when it comes to protecting the environment. Once the MPCA knows about the problem and investigates, we’re able to take action quickly before further environmental damage is done. ”
While citizens can still rely on the phone to report a complaint, the new online system eliminates the need for messages, phone tag or repeated phone calls for more information. There are numerous complaint departments—for air quality, illegal dumping, leaking petroleum storage tanks, and more—all with their own contact telephone numbers. To direct your call to the proper person, call the general information number at (651) 296-6300.
MPCA inspectors find the complaint tracker system to be user-friendly and efficient, allowing them to follow up on complaints more quickly.
The MPCA’s online complaint tracker can be found on the MPCA’s homepage at www.pca.state.mn.us. Click on “Report an Environmental Complaint” on the right side of the page.
The on-line complaint tracker should not
be used to report an oil or hazardous materials spill. To report such an incident, call the Minnesota Duty Office toll-free at (800) 422-0798.
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