Action taken to protect public
health or remove or continue an
obvious source of contamination
before a remedial investigation is
complete.

An electrically charged atom or
group of atoms.

A lot or property where worn-out
or discarded items, metal or other
scrap material is stored for
possible resale.

Topography characterized by
depressions without external
drainage, such as sinkholes,
underground caverns and solution
channels.

A process that involves study,
assessment of problems, and
decisions on how to maintain a
lake as a thriving ecosystem.

An attitude that recognizes the
vulnerability of lakes and the
need for citizens, both
individually and collectively, to
assumes responsibility for their
care.

A specially engineered site for
disposing of solid waste on land,
constructed so that it will reduce
hazard to public health and
safety. Some qualities include: an
impermeable lower layer to block
the movement of leachate into
ground water; a leachate
collection system; gravel layers
permitting the control of methane;
and daily covering of garbage with
soil.

Liquids that have percolated
through a soil that carry
substances in solution or
suspension. Liquids can be rain
water or snow melt that enter soil
and carry contaminates from buried
wastes. Leachate can seep into
ground or surface water, or pool
on or around a landfill.

Set by the Minnesota Superfund
law, it is a limit of what
political subdivisions -- such as
counties, cities, townships or
joint powers boards -- can be
required to pay for cleanup as a
responsible party.