In its efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded 65 enforcement cases in 42 counties throughout Minnesota during the second quarter of 2013, which included cases in Mower and Freeborn counties.

Y Waste Removal Inc. of Austin was fined $2,600 for solid waste violations, and I-90 Recycling LLC, Mike Peterson, of Albert Lea, was fined $5,000 for solid waste violations.

Penalties for all 65 cases totaled just less than $240,000. Nearly 30 percent of these cases, with penalties totaling just over $65,000, were for stormwater runoff violations. Improper stormwater management can increase soil erosion and cause sediment and other pollutants to wash into lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. This leads to decreased water quality and can harm fish and other aquatic life.