Waterfront Bulletin for February 2019: Governor proposes study of nitrate contaminated water

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Waterfront Bulletin
February 2019

Governor’s budget includes $2M for investigating nitrate pollution in karst region

Well water testing

In his budget released recently, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is recommending $2 million to fund a generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) of nitrate pollution of groundwater in the sensitive karst region of southeastern Minnesota. The GEIS would investigate sources of nitrate, evaluate ways to address nitrate contamination, and inform the review of new projects. The GEIS process would bring together state and local decision-makers, technical experts, and members of the affected communities to better protect the karst region from nitrate contamination.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requested the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) conduct this study when the MPCA denied a general permit for the proposed Catalpa Ag swine facility in Fillmore County. The Environmental Quality Board (EQB), made up of 9 state agency heads and 8 citizen members, oversees the environmental review program for the state of Minnesota. Its environmental review duties are directed by Minnesota Statutes 116D.04.

In his proposal, the governor noted that much of the needed data and expertise for assessing the issues are already available and will ensure that the process is timely and effective. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) recently compiled extensive data on nitrate contamination of drinking water wells. The MDA Township Testing Program indicates that numerous townships in the karst region with private wells are at or above the 10 milligrams per liter health risk limit for nitrate.

According to existing studies, the following sources of nitrogen most likely contribute to the current nitrate levels in groundwater, surface water and drinking water, and their respective significance in the karst region would be evaluated as part of the GEIS study:

  • Commercial fertilizer and manure application applied to row crops
  • Aging septic systems
  • Biosolids from wastewater treatment
  • Animal agriculture and feedlots
  • Natural background and atmospheric deposition

In addition, existing state policies, programs and regulatory requirements would be evaluated to determine if refinements are needed to better prevent and reduce nitrate contamination of drinking water in the sensitive karst region.

The first step in this effort would involve a scoping phase to more specifically identify the issues and geographic areas to be addressed in the GEIS.

The EQB will make the decision on whether to conduct the GEIS and the 2019 Minnesota Legislature will decide on any funding.


MPCA commissioner appointed chair of Environmental Quality Board

MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop said that as the newly appointed chair of the state Environmental Quality Board (EQB), she’s looking forward to collaborating with fellow state agency leaders and citizen board members. She says she’s confident they will make progress on a number of issues, including advancing climate change solutions.

Gov.Walz named Bishop as EQB chair Feb. 22.

As EQB chair, Bishop will help implement Governor Walz’s priorities. A number of state agencies have laid out what they’ll be doing to support those priorities on climate, water protection and other issues as part of their budget proposals to the governor. The EQB will also decide whether to order a generic environmental impact statement on nitrate-contaminated waters in the karst region of southeast Minnesota (story above).

MPCA, the agency that Bishop leads, is helping coordinate the governor’s climate change agenda across state agencies. Through Governor Walz’s One Minnesota budget, MPCA is spearheading a proposal for a $250,000 one-time General Fund appropriation to hold public meetings across the state so that Minnesota communities, businesses, citizens, and non-governmental organizations can participate in climate change policymaking.


Walz proposes statewide program to help communities reduce chloride in waters

Salt on roads and in water softeners leads to chloride in lakes, streams and groundwater

Gov. Walz is proposing a statewide Chloride Reduction Program to help communities reduce chloride that ends up in water resources. To pay for the program, he included $600,000 from the Clean Water Fund, derived from the Legacy Amendment sales tax, in his budget recommendations announced this week.

Chloride is a permanent pollutant that is toxic to aquatic life and does not break down or change over time. The chloride water quality standard designed to protect aquatic life is 230 mg/liter (equivalent to 1 teaspoon in 5 gallons of water). Once chloride enters lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater, it is extremely expensive to remove it. Chloride levels are continuing to increase in Minnesota’s water resources and the only way to address this pollutant is to reduce it at the source. The primary sources of chloride causing water quality problems are deicing salt used in winter and salt used for water softening systems.

The MPCA would administer the program, taking a two-prong approach:

  • Reducing road salt runoff by training snow removal and deicing services to reduce their salt use. Called Smart Salt Training, this pilot program was funded by a federal grant that expires in 2020, and was offered only in the Twin Cities metro area. The state program would continue it for 2 years and expand it statewide.
  • Reducing chloride in wastewater discharges through grants to communities to help residents upgrade their water softeners to low-salt use systems, or if the communities centrally soften their water, to help with removing unnecessary water softeners. More than 100 communities in Minnesota have elevated chloride in their wastewater discharge, in large part due to water softening. Because most wastewater treatment plants are not designed to remove chloride, and retrofitting such plants with chloride treatment would be prohibitively expensive, the state needs creative approaches to address these salty discharge problems.

The final budget will be decided by the 2019 Minnesota Legislature.

Other MPCA priorities in the governor’s budget:

  • Continue cleanup of Lake Superior headwaters
  • Fund statewide outreach on climate and environmental policy
  • Expand Minnesota’s electric-vehicle charging network
  • Clean up Freeway Landfill and Dump in the metro area
  • Expand Minnesota markets for recyclables
  • Divert food waste from landfills 

For more information:


Speaking of … Rochester to hold sensible-salting workshop

The city of Rochester’s stormwater management program is co-sponsoring a workshop for contractors, groundskeepers, and property managers on sensible salting practices to save money, protect lakes and rivers, and keep parking lots and sidewalks safe. The workshop will be held Wednesday, March 13, from 7 a.m. – noon, at Rochester City Hall, Conference Room 104, 201 4th St SE, Rochester, MN 55904.

There is no charge for the workshop, but registration is required by noon March 8. Register by contacting Stephanie Hatzenbihler, environmental education specialist with the Public Works Department, at stormwater@rochestermn.gov or 507-328-2440. Spaces are limited.

Attendees will receive an instruction manual and professional development credit. This workshop is co-sponsored by the city of Rochester, Fortin Consulting, and MPCA.


Public TV gets hooked on citizen monitoring

Citizen volunteer Brad Froland being interviewed at his monitoring site on Hawk Creek

Last summer while fishing for topics for a television show, producer Cindy Dorn landed on the MPCA’s citizen water monitoring webpage. The final product will be a segment on citizen monitoring that aired Feb. 24 on the popular “Prairie Sportsman” show produced by Pioneer Public Television in Granite Falls. It is also available to watch online at prairiesportsman.org. Further times and stations include: Lakeland Public TV (Bemidji and Brainerd) March 30 at 2:30 p.m. and on KSMQ (Austin) April 11 at 7:30 p.m. It will also be rebroadcast on TPT Minnesota and WDSE (Duluth) to be scheduled.

Dorn says she got the idea while browsing featured stories on the MPCA website. She found one about a “fishy surprise” for a citizen lake monitor. It told of a volunteer monitor who noticed a lot of empty beverage cans along the lakeshore. Upon further inspection, the volunteer discovered bullhead fry trapped inside the cans. Cindy contacted MPCA about other possible citizen monitoring story ideas for Prairie Sportsman. In July videographers went to a Hawk Creek monitoring site west of Granite Falls, and Big Kandiyohi Lake southeast of Willmar. At both locations, volunteers Brad Froland and Dave Peterson were very articulate in describing their work and its important role for water quality. MPCA citizen monitoring coordinator Shannon Martin and Public Information Officer Forrest Peterson were also interviewed in St. Paul.

The MPCA is always looking for more citizen scientists to help monitor lakes and streams across the state starting this spring. Find out more and sign up at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/citizen-water-monitoring.

Photo above right: Citizen volunteer Brad Froland being interviewed at his monitoring site on Hawk Creek.


Livestock and septic systems contribute to Minnesota River bacteria impairments

Minnesota River Bacteria TMDL 2019

Water quality in the Minnesota River is expected to improve if a number of strategies are implemented to reduce current Escherichia coli bacteria levels, according to a report drafted for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The MPCA invites comments on the draft report through March 6.

The draft report addresses five specific segments, or “impaired reaches,” of the main stem of the Minnesota River. The MPCA investigated bacteria levels, flow records, and water quality over time in order to develop the Total Maximum Daily Load study, or TMDL, for the bacteria. The TMDL establishes the maximum amount of pollutant the waterbody can assimilate while still achieving water quality standards, and outlines what pollution reductions are needed to meet those standards.

There are two primary sources of concern for E. coli entering the Minnesota River: livestock from unpermitted animal feeding operations and septic systems that represent public health threats. The septic systems include both faulty septic systems and the illegal use of straight pipes carrying raw sewage from homes or businesses directly to surface waters. The MPCA determined that a handful of other potential sources, including discharge from wastewater treatment plants, municipal storm sewer systems, and permitted animal feedlot operations that are in compliance, are not likely to be substantial sources of the bacteria.

The most effective practice to reduce E. coli loads from human sources is to upgrade or entirely replace faulty septic systems. These actions eliminate a fecal bacteria source entirely, and should be a priority. Additional strategies include annual septic system inspections to ensure compliance with state and county codes, and increased education about the real public health risks of septic systems when they are not properly maintained.

Several best management practices could reduce E. coli loads from animal feedlot operations, including better waste management through additional waste storage facilities and more effective land application of manure. Other best management practices involve using filter strips or riparian buffers to filter runoff and trap pollutants before they reach waterbodies. Limiting animal access to streams and providing alternative drinking water supplies for livestock away from streams will reduce E. coli loads, too.

Overall, the level of impairment outlined in this report is low to moderate when compared to the impairment of the Minnesota River’s tributaries; however, addressing failing septic systems and adopting better manure management practices will help reduce bacteria levels and restore the impaired reaches to meet water quality standards for aquatic recreation.

Comments on the draft report should be sent to Scott MacLean, MPCA, 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2165, Mankato, MN 56001, or by email to scott.maclean@state.mn.us. Written comments must include a statement of your interest in the report and the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft report you believe should be changed and the reasons for making those changes. Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 6.


Grant helps Becker County, landowners build on sediment control successes in Buffalo River Watershed

Erosion control project by Becker County SWCD to reduce sediment in Buffalo River

With several successful erosion and sediment control projects under its belt in recent years, Becker County is getting one of the state’s largest Clean Water Fund grants to do even more.

The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources recently approved $13.7 million in Clean Water Fund grants. The Becker County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will receive $796,000, the second largest grant awarded, for projects in the Buffalo River watershed. The Buffalo is a major tributary to the Red River.

Studies conducted by the MPCA show water quality in the watershed is generally poor. The Becker County SWCD has already completed several clean water projects in the watershed after first receiving grant funding in 2012.

In an article in the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Becker County SWCD Administrator Peter Mead said erosion and sediment reduction efforts have been successful “due in no small part to the Becker County agricultural community’s willingness to make real, lasting changes on the landscape… . We’re here to help people help the land, and a windfall like this makes the job just that much easier.”

Projects funded with the new money are expected to reduce sediment loading to the Buffalo River by 32,712 tons a year, phosphorus loading by 21,083 pounds a year and nitrogen loading by 24,322 pounds a year. According to Mead’s grant application, the outcome of new projects coupled with previous and current efforts will yield “a combined 73% reduction.”

Grant funds will go to help provide cover crops, grade stabilizations, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, filter strips, wetland restoration and other projects designed to improve conditions in the river and nearby land.

Photo above right: An erosion control project by the Becker County SWCD will reduce a major source of sediment to the upper reaches of the Buffalo River. (Photo courtesy Becker County SWCD)


Apply to GreenCorps program for help with environmental issues, outreach

The MPCA is now accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting Minnesota GreenCorps in 2019-20. Applications are due by 5 p.m. March 22. Eligible applicants include local government units, school districts, higher education, tribes and non-profit groups.

Minnesota GreenCorps is an environmentally focused AmeriCorps program coordinated by the MPCA that places AmeriCorps members with organizations around the state to spend a year of service addressing critical environmental issues, while gaining experience and learning valuable job skills. Organizations may apply for Minnesota GreenCorps members who will serve on projects in the areas of: Air pollutant reduction; waste reduction, recycling, and organics management; green infrastructure improvements; or community readiness and outreach.

The MPCA plans to place up to 42 full-time members with host sites throughout Minnesota for the 2019-20 program year. Members serve about 40 hours a week for 11 months from September 2019 through August 2020.

Please direct questions to mngreencorps.pca@state.mn.us.


MPCA appoints assistant commissioner for air and climate policy

Craig McDonnell, MPCA assistant commissioner for air and climate policy

The MPCA recently appointed Craig McDonnell as Assistant Commissioner for Air and Climate Policy in January 2019. McDonnell most recently served as Director of Government Relations at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He has also served as a long-time adviser to Gov. Tim Walz on climate and energy policy. Craig served a number of years as a consultant and energy policy analyst focusing on federal policy, where he advised clients on U.S. energy policy and market trends, developed strategic outreach plans for international partnerships, and conducted research on the feasibility and implications of climate change policies.

Craig received his Bachelor's of Science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and his Master's of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs with an emphasis in science, technology, and environmental policy.


Lotthammer accepts leadership role at Minnesota DNR

After serving the MPCA for more 20 years, Assistant Commissioner for Water Policy Shannon Lotthammer recently announced that she has accepted a leadership role at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Beginning Feb. 25, Lotthammer will assume her role at the DNR as assistant commissioner overseeing the divisions of Forestry, Parks and Trails, and Operations Services.

Her term at the MPCA included serving as the agency’s agricultural and tribal liaison, director of the Environmental Analysis and Outcomes Division, and various other positons. Lotthammer is known for her extraordinary leadership in water policy, water quality improvement, and Environmental Justice.


On the nation’s northern edge: Partners to meet at Rainy - Lake of the Woods forum

MPCA staff members will travel to the nation’s northern edge in International Falls March 13-14 for the the International Rainy - Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum.

For the past 16 years, the event has drawn some 150 water researchers and resource managers across the United States and Canada to share data. The forum also serves as a model for cross-border research, management collaboration, networking, and communication, attracting representatives from Washington D.C, Ottawa and appointed members of the International Joint Commission.

MPCA researchers Jesse Anderson and Karsten Klimek will share their water quality and fisheries assessment of the Rainy River. Their talk will illuminate data from the fish community and river water sampled at multiple locations from International Falls/Ft. Francis to Lake of the Woods. Overall, results confirmed that the Rainy River is high-quality water. This assessment will augment past studies and future cooperative studies in this historic boundary water.

Also, MPCA watershed manager Amy Mustonen and researcher Jenny Jasperson will talk on restoration and protection of the Ash and Black Duck rivers. Intensive watershed monitoring and assessment guided the decision to place these two stream segments on Minnesota’s 2018 Proposed Impaired Waters List. Subsequent biologic stressor identification is providing supporting data for restoration and protection strategy development for these rivers.

Lastly, watershed manager Mike Kennedy and public information officer Lucie Amundsen will participate in a civic engagement workshop focused on media relations. Their presentation will offer practical tips for getting press releases written, read and into local press.

The forum is presented in partnership with agencies around the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed, including MPCA. For information, see the forum’s website.  


Upcoming events: Talking tours, Water Action Day


In the news and online: Salts, successes, stormwater