Minn-Dak fined for watershed discharges

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. – Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative of Wahpeton, N.D., has paid a $70,000 fine and aggressively taken corrective steps to address problems identified at several Minn-Dak sugar beet piling sites in Minnesota following an investigation by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

MPCA staff investigated after receiving a complaint of smelly, polluted waters in drainage areas leading to the Rabbit River in the spring of 2011.

Investigators determined the pollution came from polluted runoff from Minn-Dak’s Lyngaas, Yaggi and Hawes sugar beet piling sites. Inspections also found problems with company reporting practices, land application of waste beets, and disposal of solid waste on site by burning.