Lake of the Woods County, MN – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has now been tasked with cleaning up and maintaining the old Williams School site in Far Northern Minnesota, according to a recent legislative decision discussed at the February 11, 2025, Lake of the Woods County Commissioners meeting.
Key Developments
Location: Old Williams School Site, Lake of the Woods County, MN
Legislative Deadline: February 1, 2026
Responsible Agencies:
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Legislation & Responsibilities
The Minnesota Legislature passed a bill stating that Lake of the Woods County is not responsible for managing the property. The MPCA and DNR are responsible for cleaning up, maintaining, and deciding the future use of the site. By February 1, 2026, the agencies must submit a report to Senate and House committees overseeing environmental policy and finance, detailing cleanup options and future plans for the property. Fifth District Commissioner Ed Aris commented, “They’ve pushed the Williams School to the MPCA.”
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I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News