"Minneapolis airport fined $70,000 for polluting Minnesota River"

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Airports commission fined $70,000 for polluting Minnesota River 
The Minneapolis (MN) Star Tribune
  
  
The Metropolitan Airports Commission will pay nearly $70,000 for
contaminating the lower Minnesota River with de-icing compounds and
petroleum, state pollution officials announced Tuesday.

The contaminants drained from the airport in 2001 and 2002, officials said,
and traveled through storm sewers into the river and nearby Snelling and
Mother lakes.

When de-icing compounds break down in water, they lower oxygen levels needed
by aquatic plants and wildlife.

Aircraft fuel that leaked from underground pipelines had also contaminated
groundwater -- a problem that was revealed during the digging of the light
rail tunnel beneath the airport and other recent construction projects,
officials said.

The commission will pay $34,538 in fines, and an equal amount to help fund
an environmental study to improve oxygen levels in the lower Minnesota
River, according to the settlement.

The commission also constructed a new pond to store storm water so that
fewer pollutants wash out through sewers, and it has sealed areas where
de-icing compounds are applied.


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