FACTS ON
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION FIVE
1 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, Illinois 60606 312-353-5800
The Minnesota-Wisconsin District Office
The Minnesota-Wisconsin District Office serves as Region Vs represent-
ative for water pollution control in the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The staff, consisting of engineers, chemists, biologists, pesticides
inspector and other resource experts, assists the regional program by on-the-
scene action.
Industrial and municipal waste surveys are conducted along with river
studies. The basic programs of the office are the Refuse Act Permit Program,
water quality standards compliance determinations, oil and other hazardous
materials spills notification, response and prevention.
Detailed knowledge of the local water quality situation enables the
District Office to provide better assistance to the state and local agencies
as well as providing Region V with a better developed overall regional pro-
gram.
The District Office laboratory provides analytical support and scien-
tific assistance to the Federal and State water pollution control programs.
The Office monitors both industrial and municipal dischargers in the
two states within its jurisdiction in order to determine discharge character-
istics and the effect on receiving waters.
Records of both industrial and municipal dischargers are reviewed for
compliance with implementation schedules.
Results of monitoring activities are reported to the Regional Office
to be used to define abatement needs and to support enforcement action, if
necessary.
The District Office serves as a focal point for the dissemination of
environmental information to interested groups in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Staff members distribute EPA publications, make public appearances before
environmental, institutional, and civic groups regarding environmental pro-
blems and EPA efforts to correct these problems.
EPA 905-F-73-020
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When spills of oil or other hazardous materials are reported, the office
responds, acting as on-scene commander in cooperation with the states on in-
land, waters and as advisor on navigable waters where the U.S. Coast Guard is on-
scene commander.
In addition, the Office serves as a contact with Federal, State and local
agencies in the field of water pollution control.
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