Opinion ID: 1578403
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Need for and Benefits from Pollution Control Financing Programs.

Text: 120. Under Minn.Stat. ch. 116, the MPCA was created to meet the various and complex water, air and land pollution problems in affected areas of the State. MPCA's statutory objective is to achieve a reasonable degree of purity of water, air and land resources of the state consistent with the maximum enjoyment and use thereof in furtherance of the welfare of the people of the state. Gardebring Aff. 121. MPCA is responsible for administering and enforcing statutes and rules relating to pollution of any water, air and land in the State of Minnesota. Gardebring Aff. 122. The State is trustee of the waters of the State. The legislature has declared that it is the policy of the state to provide for the prevention, control, and abatement of pollution of all waters of the State, so far as feasible and practical, in furtherance of conservation of such waters and protection of the public health and in furtherance of the development of the economic welfare of the state. Gardebring Aff. 123. Abatement of pollution of the water, air, and land is a primary concern of our citizenry. Preservation of public health and welfare through abatement of pollution is an essential governmental function. Gardebring Aff. 124. Small businesses experience difficulty in obtaining financing for necessary pollution control projects. Kraus Aff. 125. Public financial assistance to small businesses for the costs of pollution control equipment can bring the costs of such equipment to a manageable level for small businesses. Such financial assistance will increase the installation of pollution control facilities and, thus improve the environment and public health. 126. Pollution control financial assistance to small businesses will retain jobs which might otherwise be lost if small businesses were forced to close because of their inability to obtain financing for required pollution control projects.