Environment and the Iron Range

Environmental protection and Iron Range regional services

Environment and the Iron Range

Protecting Minnesota’s natural resources and supporting the Iron Range region.

Environmental protection

Air quality

• Current air quality index
• Air quality alerts
• Burn restrictions
• Emissions permits
• Indoor air quality

Water resources

• Water quality reports
• Well water testing
• Watershed management
• Groundwater protection
• Wetlands permits

Land and soil

• Soil conservation
• Erosion control
• Contaminated sites
• Brownfield cleanup
• Land restoration

Climate and energy

Climate action

• Minnesota Climate Action Framework
• Greenhouse gas reduction
• Climate adaptation planning
• Community resilience

Renewable energy

• Solar programs
• Wind energy
• Energy efficiency rebates
• Community solar gardens
• Electric vehicle incentives

Energy assistance

• Weatherization programs
• Energy bill assistance
• Conservation improvement programs

Natural resources

Forests

• Forest management
• Tree planting programs
• Forest health
• Timber sales
• Fire prevention

Wildlife

• Wildlife management
• Endangered species
• Habitat conservation
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Human-wildlife conflicts

Parks and recreation

• State parks
• Scientific and Natural Areas
• Wildlife Management Areas
• State trails
• Water trails

The Iron Range

About the Iron Range

Minnesota’s historic mining region in the northeast, including:

• Hibbing
• Virginia
• Eveleth
• Grand Rapids
• Chisholm
• Mountain Iron
• Babbitt
• Ely
• And surrounding communities

Economic development

• Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation
• Business loans and grants
• Giants Ridge development
• Infrastructure investments
• Workforce development

Mining and minerals

• Mining permits
• Environmental review
• Mine reclamation
• Mineral exploration
• Mining history and heritage

Taconite production

• Taconite industry overview
• Production tax distribution
• Environmental standards
• Worker safety

Waste and recycling

Household waste

• Recycling guidelines
• Hazardous waste disposal
• Composting programs
• Electronics recycling
• Medication disposal

Business waste

• Commercial recycling
• Industrial waste permits
• Waste reduction programs
• Pollution prevention

Landfills and facilities

• Find disposal facilities
• Landfill permits
• Transfer stations
• Waste-to-energy facilities

Environmental permits

Common permits

• Water appropriation
• Wastewater discharge
• Air emissions
• Solid waste
• Feedlot permits

Permit assistance

• Online permit applications
• Environmental review
• Public notices
• Permit tracking

Agriculture and environment

Sustainable agriculture

• Conservation programs
• Organic certification
• Cover crop initiatives
• Nutrient management
• Pollinator habitat

Water and agriculture

• Irrigation permits
• Drainage management
• Buffer requirements
• Groundwater protection

Environmental health

Pollution control

• Report pollution
• Spill response
• Environmental complaints
• Enforcement actions

Public health

• Environmental health assessments
• Lead poisoning prevention
• Radon testing
• Asbestos information
• Drinking water safety

Outdoor recreation

Hunting and fishing

• Licenses and permits
• Seasons and regulations
• Hunter education
• Fishing reports
• Public hunting lands

Water recreation

• Boat launches
• Swimming beaches
• Water safety
• Aquatic invasive species

Environmental education

Programs and resources

• School environmental education
• Nature centers
• Citizen science
• Environmental careers
• Volunteer opportunities

Grants and funding

• Environmental grants
• Conservation funding
• Community projects
• Research funding

Iron Range services

Regional offices

• IRRR headquarters
• Field offices
• Community development
• Tourism promotion

Education and training

• Minnesota North College
• Mesabi Range College
• Workforce training
• Apprenticeship programs

Culture and heritage

• Iron Range history
• Mining museums
• Cultural events
• Heritage tourism

Contact

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

• Phone: 651-296-6300
• Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864
• Email: [email protected]

Department of Natural Resources

• Phone: 651-296-6157
• Toll-free: 1-888-646-6367
• Email: [email protected]

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation

• Phone: 218-735-3000
• Toll-free: 1-800-765-5043
• Email: [email protected]