Sulfate and Wild Rice Call for Data

MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY

CALL FOR SULFATE AND WILD RICE MONITORING DATA FOR THE 2013 ASSESSMENT CYCLE

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is requesting sulfate surface water monitoring data and wild rice information to consider for use in its assessment activities, including determining whether water bodies meet the 10 mg/L sulfate water qualify standard to protect waters used for production of wild rice.  The MPCA is interested in obtaining all available sulfate and wild rice water quality data.  To ensure that your data are available for the 2013 assessment process, please provide your data to MPCA by May 1, 2013, in accordance with the following instructions.

How to submit sulfate data

To be included in the assessment, sulfate data must be uploaded to the state's Environmental Quality Information System (EQuIS) prior to data analysis.  All applicable, credible sulfate data must be submitted using the Sulfate Data Submittal Template which is accessible by clicking the assessment tab on this MPCA website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ktqh1083.  Do not include data that have been previously stored in the EQuIS database under other projects.  The Sulfate Data Submittal Template includes three worksheets:  Instructions, Sulfate Data Submittal, and Location Establishment.  Please review the Instructions worksheet and then enter your data as directed.  The MPCA is requesting electronic submittal of the sulfate data template to this website: wqdata.mpca@state.mn.us.  The MPCA needs to have an MPCA approved Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for submitted sulfate data for May 1, 2013.  Guidance on how to complete and submit a QAPP is available on this MPCA website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ktqh3d9.  For assistance with the sulfate data template, please contact Lynda Nelson at 651-757-2601 or lynda.nelson@state.mn.us.

How to submit wild rice data

To be included in the assessment, wild rice information must be submitted to the MPCA using the Wild Rice Data Submittal Template accessible by clicking the assessment tab on this MPCA website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ktqh1083. This template requires submitters to provide the specific location (latitude and longitude) of the wild rice, the wild rice area and density information, and the date at which the rice was observed/harvested/surveyed.  The website also includes map tools to generate wild rice location data and area and density information.  Wild rice information dating back to the 1976 growing season will be considered for assessment along with the wild rice information in the Natural Wild Rice Study submitted to the Minnesota Legislature by the Department of Natural Resources February 15, 2008; waters listed in Minnesota Rules 7050.0460 and 7050.0470 as wild rice waters; and wild rice surveys completed by NPDES/SDS permittees.  The MPCA is requesting electronic submittal of wild rice data template to this website: wqdata.mpca@state.mn.us.  For assistance with this template, please contact Gerald Blaha at 651-757-2234 or gerald.blaha@state.mn.us.

Under Minnesota Statute 115.075 and Rule 7000.0300, persons must act in good faith, complete truthfulness, accuracy, disclosure, and candor, and must not submit false data to the MPCA.

Assessment methods

In accordance with EPA guidance, the MPCA makes assessments of lakes and streams by comparing monitoring results to State Water Quality Standards.  The development of the assessment method for the wild rice sulfate water quality standard is ongoing.  For assessment purposes, the MPCA will be looking at sulfate data collected where wild rice is present.  Additional information about the assessment method is available by clicking the assessment tab on this MPCA website: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ktqh1083.