Environmental
The Department of Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management is responsible for minimizing the environmental impact of activities conducted here at Minnesota State Mankato. These activities include, but are not limited to, emissions control, hazardous waste management, asbestos abatement, and chemical spill responses.
Emissions
EHS & RM is tasked with ensuring the University's compliance with federal and state clean air regulations. Sources of air pollution at the University include:
- Laboratory hoods
- Boilers
- Emergency generators
- Printing operations
- Solvent cleaners
Information on the Minnesota's Clean Indoor Air Act
Information from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Hazardous Waste Management
Hazardous waste is waste that is dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. They can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes. To coordinate pick up and disposal of hazardous waste, contact EHS & RM.
For NON-EMERGENCY EHS & Risk Management requests
Please utilize the Minnesota State Mankato's TMA work order system
Submit a Work Order
- The TMA system is monitored by both our Facilities Management office as well as our Physical Plant office.
Chemical Spill Responses
In the event of a chemical spill, immediately contact the director for EHS & RM at (507) 389-5568. After hours and on weekends, contact University Security at (507) 389-2111.
ALL chemical waste from laboratories are presumed to be regulated hazardous waste materials.
Non-asbestos hazmat emergency such as a large scale (greater than 5 gallons) chemical spill
- Call 911 and request a response from Mankato Public Safety's Chemical Assessment Team (CAT).
Hazmat emergency such as a large scale (greater than 5 gallons) chemical spill
- Call 911
- MPCA Duty Officer shall also be contacted IF the Director of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management is unavailable, call 1-800-422-0798.
Asbestos Abatement
Here is a useful asbestos information page from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's webpage that discusses asbestos in demolition/renovation. The link has several fact sheets.
For a list of products that may contain asbestos, click on the Minnesota Department of Health Website link.
Asbestos Abatement Contractors
Campus Wide
- Chandler Holland, 507-245-3260, 507-381-1618
- Paul Corcoran, 507-380-6462
Residence Halls
- 507-340-4790
Safety compliance
Safety compliance refers to the state of being in accordance with established safety standards and regulation.
Hazardous Waste: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
www.pca.state.mn.us/waste/hazardous-waste-documents-and-forms
Minnesota State Mankato Storm Water Management Student Resources
Primary Concerns
- Litter
- Petroleum Products
- Chemicals
- Bacteria
- Sediment
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ESTABLISHED SIX FOCUS AREAS CRITICAL TO REDUCING POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED FROM OUR SYSTEM TO RECEIVING WATERS.
Minimum Control Measures
- Educate the community
- Involve the community
- Find and eliminate illicit discharges
- Construction site stormwater control
- Post construction stormwater management
- Pollution prevention/good housekeeping
MS4 Permit Requirement
- All field staff must be trained in illicit discharge recognition and reporting.
- This Includes conditions which could cause illicit discharges
Illicit Discharge
“Illicit Discharge” means any discharge to a municipal separate storm sewer that is not composed entirely of stormwater except discharges pursuant to a NPDES permit and discharges resulting from firefighting activities
State Statue
609.671 ENVIRONMENT; CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
Subd. 4. Hazardous waste; unlawful disposal or abandonment. A person who knowingly disposes of or abandons hazardous waste or arranges for the disposal of hazardous waste at a location other than one authorized by the Pollution Control Agency or the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or in violation of any material term or condition of a hazardous waste facility permit, is guilty of a FELONY and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than five years or to payment of a fine of not more than $50,000, or both.
Subd. 6. Negligent violation. A person who commits any of the acts set forth in subdivision 4, 5, or 12 as a result of the person's gross negligence is guilty of a GROSS MISDEMEANOR and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year, or to payment of a fine of not more than $15,000, or both.
City Ordinance
CHAPTER 3.14 STORM WATER SYSTEM
Municipal Separate Stormwater System or MS4.
Unlawful Acts. It is unlawful for any person to directly or indirectly discharge, place or cause an illicit discharge of any substance that is not composed entirely of stormwater into the City of Mankato's storm water system.
Legal Action. If any person discharges wastewater, industrial wastes or other wastes into the City's storm water system contrary to the provisions of this Section, federal or state regulations or any order of the City, in addition to any criminal prosecution for violation of this Section, the City Attorney may commence an action for appropriate legal and/or equitable relief to terminate violation and recover all expenses as allowed in Chapter 3 of this Code.
If a Spill Occurs
- Observe the safety precautions associated with the spilled material.
- Stop the source of the spill, if you can do so safely.
- Call 911 if fire or public safety hazards are created.
- Contain the spilled material. Dirt, sand, or any semi-impermeable material may be used to create a containment structure to prevent the material from flowing.
- Report the spill to the Minnesota Duty Officer at (651) 649-5451 or (800) 422-0798 - 24/7.
- Clean up the spilled material and dispose of the wastes properly. With the exception of used oil, waste generated from petroleum spills that have been reported and cleaned up immediately are exempt from Minnesota’s Hazardous Waste Rules. Waste generated from used oil spills must be sent to a facility for energy recovery.
Salt
Basic Salting Tips
- Shovel/Plow first.The more snow and ice you remove manually, the less salt you will have to use and the more effective it can be. Whether you use a shovel, snow blower, snow plow, or ice scraper, get out there as early as you can and keep up with the storm. You may even decide that salt isn't needed.
- 15°F is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand instead for traction, but remember that sand does not melt ice.
- Slow down.Drive for the conditions and make sure to give plow drivers plenty of space to do their work.
- More salt does not mean more melting. Use less than 4 pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet (an average parking space is about 150 square feet). One pound of salt is approximately a heaping 12-ounce coffee mug. Consider purchasing a hand-held spreader to help you apply a consistent amount.
- Sweep up extra salt & sand. If salt or sand is visible on dry pavement it is no longer doing any work and will be washed away. Use this salt or sand somewhere else or throw it away.
Guidelines for granular salt and sand storage
- Must be covered or stored indoors
- Must be located on an impervious (waterproof) surface
- Reduce exposure when transferring material in designated salt storage areas (Keep loading area clean - Sweep up spills)
- No water should enter or leave the storage area
- Store away from lakes, rivers, ditches, storm drains and wetlands
- *Review your SALT Application Policies Annually
Additional information about Stormwater use: The City of Mankato’s Natural Resources Water/Stormwater
Chris Boyer MS4 Coordinator
(507) 720-5742
cboyer@mankatomn.gov
