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Urban and
agricultural runoff impairing the quality of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and
streams
St. Paul, Minn.-- A new report
released today by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides
additional evidence that agricultural and urban runoff is contributing
significantly to the impairment of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and streams. The
new study, which monitored half of the state’s 81 major watersheds, takes an
in-depth look at the lakes and streams in major drainage areas. According to
the MPCA, it is unlikely that current or new clean water funding can
significantly improve the deteriorating conditions of many of the state’s
waters – unless the state employs new strategies to prevent the pollution from
happening in the first place.
The study, “Swimmable,
Fishable, Fixable?” (www.pca.state.mn.us/fixable), found that poor water
quality is concentrated in certain regions of the state, especially in southern
Minnesota. MPCA researchers noted that in heavily farmed areas, surrounding
lakes and streams had high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. These
high levels make it difficult to support aquatic life, and in some cases
prohibit people from swimming in lakes and streams. The report’s findings
conclude that poor water quality in southern Minnesota waters is caused
predominantly by agricultural runoff. Urban areas also suffer from elevated
levels of water pollution caused by runoff.
“We have seen many of these patterns developing over the last 20 years.
With the comprehensive watershed information we are gathering, we are much
closer to a diagnosis that can point us toward the changes that need to
happen,” said MPCA Commissioner John Linc Stine. “While the Legacy Funds Minnesota citizens invested are helping us
take steps forward, it’s clear that we can’t buy our way to healthy waters.”
Key Findings in the Report
The report released today was
compiled by the MPCA over the last several years, and was funded by the Clean
Water, Land and Legacy Constitutional Amendment. The MPCA found that phosphorus
and nitrogen, high bacteria levels, and mercury contamination continue to be
problems in many of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and streams. These pollutants,
which are typically the product of urban and agricultural land runoff, have
left many bodies of water inadequate for human consumption and aquatic life. Key
findings from the report include:
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Urban and
Agricultural Impact – Areas of Minnesota with larger human and livestock
populations are struggling the most with water-quality. According to the MPCA
study, runoff from land under intense urban or agricultural uses has left half or less of the lakes in
those areas clean enough for healthy aquatic life and enjoyable swimming.
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Bacteria
Levels – Higher levels of bacteria were discovered in many Minnesota
waters. Generally, higher levels of bacteria indicate feedlot runoff or human
waste in a water body, indicating it may be unsafe for swimming and other
recreation.
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Mercury-Tainted
Fish – Despite Minnesota’s progress in preventing mercury from entering lakes,
rivers, and streams from our state’s power utilities and other sources, the
MPCA study concluded that mercury remains widely present in fish. The vast
majority of lakes and streams examined in the study – 97 percent of 490 stream
sections and 95 percent of 1,214 lakes studied – contain fish tainted by
mercury.
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High
Levels of Nitrogen and Phosphorus – The MPCA study also found that
watersheds that are heavily farmed or developed tend to have high levels of
nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids in their waters. Nitrogen and
phosphorus can cause algal blooms while suspended solids make the water murky.
These pollutants hurt aquatic life and recreational opportunities.
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Problems
Vary Regionally – While urban and agricultural runoff were the general
source of problems across Minnesota, the types of pollution causing problems in
specific bodies of water varied regionally. Typical problems included issues
such as low oxygen levels, excess nutrients, excess sediment, disruption of
natural water flows, a lack of habitat, and a lack of connectivity between
different bodies of water.
Recommended Strategies to Improve Water Quality
In addition to identifying
stressors and healthy conditions in Minnesota’s lakes and streams, the MPCA and
partner agencies have recommended strategies to restore and protect our waters.
Those recommendations include: stream buffers, nutrient and manure management,
storm water controls, and in-lake treatments. While most strategies are
tailored for their specific watersheds, some strategies recommended by the MPCA
do call for stronger and more targeted application of state and local laws on
feedlots, shoreland, septic systems, storm water controls, and wastewater
discharges.
“We are in this for the long haul – and we are talking 20 or more
years,” said Commissioner Stine. “We
need continued vigilance to protect our healthy waters and take targeted action
to restore those that are impaired. It took decades for our lakes and streams
to become polluted, and it will take many more years to restore them.”
Broadcast version:
A new report
released today by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency provides
additional evidence that agricultural and urban runoff is contributing
significantly to the impairment of Minnesota’s lakes, rivers, and streams. The
new study, which monitored half of the state’s 81 major watersheds, takes an
in-depth look at the lakes and streams in major drainage areas. The report is available online at www.pca.state.mn.us/fixable.
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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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