MPCA seeks public input on water quality standards

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is proposing to adopt updated water quality standards that will help protect Minnesota's lakes, rivers and streams.

The MPCA will be holding formal public hearings statewide in August and September to gather testimony on the proposed rule changes.

A local public hearing will be held Sept. 5 at the MPCA Brainerd office, 7678 College Road, Suite 105, in Baxter.

The hearings will include short presentations by MPCA staff describing the changes the agency is considering, opportunities for the public to ask questions and provide either written or oral testimony regarding the amendments to Minnesota Rules chapters 7050, 7056 and 7065. The proposed changes are part of a requirement in the federal Clean Water Act for states to update their standards every three years.

One proposed addition addresses excess nutrients in lakes which can cause eutrophication, a process that leads to algae blooms and loss of water clarity. Included are standards for phosphorus, the main cause of eutrophication and standards for measurements of algal abundance and water clarity.

The MPCA is also proposing to require new or expanding wastewater treatment plants to remove phosphorus from treated water if they discharge more than 1,800 pounds of the pollutant per year. These new limits on phosphorus discharges will help protect rivers, reservoirs and some lakes from eutrophication. Implementation of lake standards and new phosphorus effluent limits, along with public awareness, will protect Minnesota's water resources from excess nutrients.

Other major proposed amendments to the rule include a fish tissue standard for mercury; water quality standards for two commonly used herbicides - acetochlor and metolachlor; replacement of the fecal coliform bacteria standards with E. coli standards to protect waters for swimming; and water use classification changes.

All interested people or groups are invited to attend one or more of the public hearings. Additional details about meeting start times, directions to all MPCA offices and additional information on the proposed changes are available on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/ standards/rulechange.html. All MPCA offices also can be reached at (800) 657-3864.

Persons wishing to comment on the proposed changes may also reach the MPCA's David Maschwitz, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; or by calling 651-296-7255, (800) 657-3864; by fax at 651-297-7709; or by e-mail at mnrule7050@pca. state.mn.us.

All e-mails, written comments and testimony presented at the public hearings will become part of the rulemaking record.

Additional information on the proposed changes can be found in the State Register at www.comm.media.state. mn.us/bookstore/state_register.asp.