Minnesota Power Pays for State Park Improvements

After Minnesota Power committed storm water violations, it has been given a punishment that fits well with the violation. In 2012, the company hired a contractor to do excavation in Duluth's Island Lake Reservoir area. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports the company did not have proper licensing for the excavation. The company failed to take proper precautions to prevent sediment from getting into the reservoir. The company later took corrective actions. Now, instead of the normal penalty, Minnesota Power will make at least $53,000 worth of improvements to the Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton. The improvements will work to stabilize hillside erosion in the park. It seems fitting that the punishment for environmental damage would be fixing environmental damage, rather than simply facing a penalty.   Photo via: Bjoertvedt