Minnesota Agencies

The Commission was established to administer and enforce all laws relating to the pollution of any of the waters of the state; to investigate the extent, character, and effect of the pollution of the waters of this state and to gather data and information necessary or desirable in the administration or enforcement of pollution laws.

The Water Pollution Control Commission was established by the legislature in 1945 (Laws 1945 c395). It was responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws pertaining to pollution of any of the waters in the state. The commission investigated the extent and effect of pollution and established pollution standards. It had power to issue orders banning the discharge of sewage or industrial waste into public waters. It also reviewed and approved plans for sewage disposal installations; issued or denied permits for the discharge of waste; and administered certain grant provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

Much of the technical, investigative, and administrative work of the commission was performed by the Water Pollution Control Section in the Department of Health.

The commission was succeeded in 1967 by the Pollution Control Agency (1967 Minn. Laws Chap. 882).

The WPCC originally consisted of the administrative officers of the Departments of Health, Agriculture, Conservation, the Livestock Sanitary Board, and one member representing the general public appointed by the Governor. In 1951 the act was amended to provide for two additional members appointed by the Governor, one of whom was to be experienced in municipal government and the other experienced in industry.