MPCA seeks comments on water quality improvement report for Ann, Emma lakes

For release: Aug. 26, 2011

Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887

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MPCA seeks comments on water quality improvement report for Ann, Emma lakes

Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Ann and Emma lakes, in Wright County. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients. A public comment period begins Aug. 29, and continues through Sept. 28, 2011.

Ann and Emma lakes are located about two miles south of the city of Howard Lake, and are part of the North Fork Crow River Watershed.

 

Ann Lake was placed on Minnesota’s list of impaired waters in 2002 because of excess nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus. Though not officially listed as impaired, Emma Lake was combined with the Ann Lake study since most of Emma Lake’s receiving water flows through a short channel between the two. This TMDL study indicated that phosphorus loads will need to be reduced by 81 percent in Ann Lake and 60 percent in Emma Lake for them to meet water-quality standards.

 

The TMDL report is part of a nationwide effort under the federal Clean Water Act to identify and clean up pollution in streams, rivers and lakes. Every two years, states are required to submit a list of impaired waters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A TMDL report is a scientific study that calculates the maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive (known as the “loading capacity”) without exceeding water-quality standards.

 

After receiving public comments, the MPCA will revise the Ann and Emma Lakes TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval of the study, a plan will be developed to reduce pollution throughout the watershed.

 

The Ann and Emma Lakes TMDL draft report is available on the MPCA website or at the MPCA’s St. Paul office at 520 Lafayette Road North. Comments should be submitted to Maggie Leach, MPCA, 7678 College Rd, Ste. 105, Baxter, MN 56425, or by e-mail to margaret.leach@state.mn.us. For more information, call Leach at 218-316-3895, or toll-free at 800-657-3864.

 

Written comments must include (1) a statement of your interest in the draft TMDL report; (2) a statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft TMDL that you believe should be changed; and (3) specific reasons supporting your position.

 

For more information, see the Impaired Waters and TMDLs page on the MPCA website.

 

Broadcast version

 

 The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Ann and Emma Lakes, just south of the city of Howard Lake, in Wright County.

The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load, or T-M-D-L, focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients, particularly phosphorus. The study began in 2008 and is scheduled to be completed this year. A public comment period begins August 29th, and continues through September 28th.

For more information, see the Draft/Public Noticed T-M-D-Ls page on the M-P-C-A website.

 

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