The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) public
comment period for two draft Bois de Sioux River Watershed water quality
documents has been extended to provide more opportunity for public input. The
new deadline ends June 4, 2018, at 4:30 p.m.
The studies found that Bois de Sioux River Watershed water
pollution is linked to land alterations designed to promote soil drainage, such
as stream channelization and ditching. These activities also impair stream
habitat, water quality, and fish and aquatic insect communities.
The majority of land in the Bois de Sioux River Watershed is
privately owned. While landowners in the Bois de Sioux River Watershed have
long been engaged in good land stewardship practices, the MPCA and its partners
recommend they continue to build upon best management practices known to
improve water quality. The agency and its partners also recommend that all
Minnesotans take steps to improve public understanding and interest in
protecting water quality.
The draft Bois de Sioux Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
Study and Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) reports
recommend actions that can address existing problems and prevent new ones.
The TMDL study quantifies the pollutant levels, identifies
pollution sources, and proposes source goals to return water quality to an
acceptable level. In contrast, the WRAPS report identifies impaired water
bodies and those in need of protection, and identifies actions needed to
achieve and maintain water quality.
The draft study and report are available on the MPCA's Bois de Sioux River webpage. The reports
may also be reviewed at the MPCA Detroit Lakes office at 714 Lake Avenue, Suite
220.
Comments on the draft reports should be sent to Cary
Hernandez, 714 Lake Avenue, Suite 220, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56501; by
email, cary.hernandez@state.mn.us,
or by phone, 218-846-8124. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on June 4,
2018. More information is available also from Jamie Beyer, Bois de Sioux River
Watershed District administrator, 320-563-4185, or bdswd@frontiernet.net.
Written comments must include a statement of your interest
in the Bois de Sioux watershed study and/or report, a statement of the action
you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the
draft study and/or report you believe should be changed, and specific reasons
for your position.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and local Bois de
Sioux watershed partners are recommending landowners continue and expand on
voluntary management practices to reduce water pollution in the Bois de Sioux
River Watershed, according to two studies available for public review and
comment until 4:30 p.m. on June 4, 2018. This is a 30-day extension of the
original comment period.
The reports and instructions for submitting comments are on
the web. Search for “MPCA Bois (boy) de Sioux River.”
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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 www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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