Waterfront for April 2019: Met Council report shows mostly good news for major rivers

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Waterfront Bulletin
April 2019

Met Council report: Good news, and some bad, on water quality of major rivers in Twin Cities

Water quality standards a main reason for decline in major pollutants

Mississippi River - Twin Cities

As people in the Twin Cities prepare to hit the water as the weather warms up this year, they can be reassured that water quality is improving – by some measures - in the major rivers passing through the metro area.

Three common pollutants are decreasing in the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers, according to long-term monitoring and statistical trend assessment by the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES). The MCES “Regional Assessment of River Water Quality” report, released in 2018, analyzes water quality data over a 40-year period. Concentrations of sediment, phosphorus and bacteria (measured as fecal coliform) have all “significantly decreased” across the three rivers from 1976-2015.

Water quality standards set by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) - and implemented by cities and other local partners - are one main reason for the decline in pollutants.

"Upstream investments in wastewater treatment are working, as evidenced by the decline in major pollutant concentrations. We have more work to do, but we're headed in the right direction," said Katrina Kessler, MPCA assistant commissioner of water and agriculture policy.

Other factors include:

  • Completing projects designed to meet the standards
  • Investing in wastewater treatment
  • Legislative ban on phosphorus in products like detergents and lawn fertilizer
  • Regulations on urban stormwater runoff
  • Changes in agricultural practices, including conservation tillage and manure management
  • Implementing best management practices like erosion control and rain gardens

While the report demonstrates positive long-term trends that indicate improvements in water quality, more work still needs to be done to keep reducing pollutants so that the water quality meets standards.

The report also notes the need to take action on increasing nitrate and chloride levels in the rivers:

  • Chloride concentrations have increased across all three rivers, and in recent years these concentrations have been highest near the central urban areas of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, where winter road salt usage is a significant source.
  • Nitrate levels have also significantly increased across all three rivers during the last 40 years, with highest levels found in the Minnesota River in recent years, due to the predominance of agriculture in the river’s basin. This in turn affects the metro Mississippi River, as the MCES observed increases in nitrates downstream from the confluence with the Minnesota River.

The report recommends continued collaboration among state, regional and local partners, including these steps:

  • Establish a water quality standard for nitrogen
  • Educate citizens and cities on efficient chloride use to reduce the amount reaching streams and lakes
  • Continue long-term monitoring of metro area rivers to stay informed on any changes in water quality

For the full report, visit: https://metrocouncil.org/river-assessment.


Comments sought on cleanup of ponds behind Duluth Pier

Known as the Ponds, these open bodies of water behind Duluth’s Erie Pier were the subject of a 2015 cleanup investigation. That investigation identified heavy metals, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dioxins/furans as contaminants of concern in the sediments. This contamination will likely affect benthic invertebrates — organisms that live in or on the bottom sediments of rivers, streams, and lakes.

These contaminated sediments in the ponds contribute to three beneficial use impairments in the St. Louis River Area of Concern:

  • Restrictions on dredging
  • Fish consumption advisories
  • Degradation of the sediment surface or “benthos” environment

The MPCA is offering the public a chance to review clean-up options and make comments on them.

Direct comments to Heidi Bauman, MPCA Project Manager, 525 Lake Avenue South, Suite 400, Duluth, MN 55802 or by email at Heidi.Bauman@state.mn.us. All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10.The St. Louis River Area of Concern work is partially funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative with oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The St. Louis River Area of Concern is one of 43 contaminated Great Lakes areas. In 2013, the MPCA and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources adopted an aggressive plan to clean up and restore the area from historic pollution impacts. The ponds site is one of several contaminated sediment areas that will be cleaned up within the Duluth-Superior Harbor area during the next five years.


MPCA seeking public input on expanded chloride management plan

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

The MPCA is updating and expanding the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (TCMA) Chloride Management Plan to address chloride concerns statewide. The new Statewide Chloride Management Plan is a collaborative project among the MPCA, in contract with LimnoTech and Fortin Consulting, and with many local stakeholders and statewide experts. The new plan will take a deeper look into winter maintenance throughout Minnesota and include other important sources of chloride besides road salt: water softening, dust control, agriculture, wastewater treatment plants, and more.

The plan will also include an updated analysis of current trends and conditions of Minnesota waters. In addition, the plan will include strategies for reducing chloride from all sources to protect Minnesota waters from increasing chloride pollution.

The MPCA has also updated the Smart Salting Assessment tool (SSAt) that allows winter maintenance and summer maintenance professionals to develop a salt reduction plan and track progress for their organization (see article below). In 2017, MPCA staff traveled around Minnesota to gain input on updating the SSAt and Chloride Management Plan for a statewide audience. The agency incorporated those ideas and now seeks additional feedback.

The MPCA will introduce the statewide plan and seek public input at four meetings throughout Minnesota:

  • Rochester: Monday, May 13, from 8:30 a.m.-noon, at Cascade Meadows Wetlands Science Center, 2900 19th St NW. Registration is now open online. Note that parking is limited to 45 spaces so carpooling is encouraged.
  • Twin Cities: Thursday, May 30, 8:30 a.m.-noon, at the Dakota Lodge, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St. Paul, MN 55118. Register at EventBrite.
  • Duluth: Wednesday, June 12, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Griggs Center, Kirby Student Center, 1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth, MN 55812-3085. Register at EventBrite.
  • St. Cloud/Alexandria: Wednesday, June 19, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Douglas County Public Works Department, 526 Willow Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308. Register at EventBrite.

If you use chloride in your professional work, or are involved with watershed level planning and water quality and wish to be included in the statewide chloride plan review process, please contact Eric Alms at the MPCA: Eric.Alms@state.mn.us or 651-757-2589.


Online: New and improved Smart Salting Assessment Tool

https://smartsaltingtool.com/The MPCA recently updated the Winter Maintenance Assessment Tool (WMAt), now called the Smart Salting Assessment Tool (SSAt). The SSAt is a free, online tool that organizations can use to identify ways to improve practices, reduce salt use without compromising public safety, and track progress. New features of the tool include a level of service assessment, dust control assessment, enhanced reporting functionality, updated questions and Best Management Practices. Check out the SSAt here: https://smartsaltingtool.com/.


Kessler returns to MPCA as assistant commissioner of water and ag policy

Katrina Kessler has returned to the MPCA as assistant commissioner of water and agriculture policy. She most recently worked as director of the Surface Water and Sewers Division for Minneapolis Public Works. In that role, she provided strategic direction for the management of the city’s 150-year-old sewer infrastructure along with work to meet climate and water quality goals.

Prior to that Kessler spent 13 years at the MPCA, starting as a permit engineer and ultimately overseeing water-related rule making efforts, implementation of standards as limits in discharge permits, and development of the state’s impaired waters list.

Throughout her career she has built relationships across organizational boundaries to find innovation solutions to complex water challenges. She has led coordination efforts with policy makers, advocacy groups, Tribal Nations, EPA and other local, regional and state units of government.


We Are Water MN exhibit opens in Austin, focuses on Cedar River watershed

The Cedar River Watershed District is hosting the We Are Water MN exhibit at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center through June 16. The exhibit and events are designed to build awareness and respect of many cultural, historical, and personal perspectives related to water in the Austin community.

Visit the Cedar River Watershed District website for details.

We Are Water MN is a popular statewide traveling exhibition and community engagement project that invites visitors to reflect on the experiences of local people and come to a deeper understanding of what taking care of water means to people. Science and history are also included via this 1,000-square foot, hands-on exhibit created by the Minnesota Humanities Center, MPCA, Minnesota Historical Society and Departments of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources.


Minnesota River Congress to convene May 16, discuss water storage on landscape

Water storage on the landscape will be the focus topic of the 12th Minnesota River Congress’s full session on Thursday, May 16, at the St. Peter American Legion Club Post 37 in St. Peter.  The public is welcome and there is no fee to attend. Doors open at 5 p.m. for visiting and networking with others from the entire Minnesota River Basin. Presentations start at 7 p.m.

Dr. Karen Gran from the University of Minnesota-Duluth will present findings from the Collaborative for Sediment Source Reduction (CSSR) and the need to create more water storage to protect infrastructure and groundwater, while improving the water quality of lakes, streams and rivers. There will also be messages from State Rep. Jeff Brand and State Sen. Nick Frentz, along with Area 6 Soil and Water Conservation District Director Mark Schnobrich and Area 5 Director Clark Lingbeek. In addition, Mike Roll with the Crystal Waters Project will present information, along with Kim Musser and Emma Young with the Minnesota State University of Minnesota-Mankato Water Resources Center. To learn more about the Minnesota River Congress visit its website at www.mnrivercongress.org


EPA approves TMDL for Thief River watershed

The EPA recently approved the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for the Thief River watershed in northwest Minnesota. Most of the watershed area lies within Marshall, Pennington, and Beltrami counties. The study addresses bacteria levels in the Mud River and sediment levels in part of the Thief River. The TMDL, and associated Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies (WRAPS) recommend continued voluntary practices by landowners to reduce pollutants reaching the rivers and their tributaries. These practices include buffers along water ways and other erosion control practices, improving feedlot and septic system compliance, and improving nutrient management. The MPCA approved the WRAPS in March.


Water Storage Forum brings together citizens, experts to talk past issues and current opportunities

The Kato Ballroom, where music legends like Buddy Holly and the Beach Boys once played, hosted a different kind of event April 4, one that hopefully attracts a big following too. More than 100 people attended a Water Storage Forum to learn about the need and methods for this water quality practice.

Don and Becky Waskosky, who live along the Le Sueur River south of Mankato, kicked off the forum by describing the severe bluff and bank erosion in their neighborhood. That erosion led them to get involved in the Le Sueur River Watershed Network.  The network brings people of diverse backgrounds and needs together to work toward common goals. 

Other presenters included:

  • Dr. Kenneth “Kenny” Blumenfeld, senior climatologist for the State of Minnesota, who described the key Minnesota climate change - increasing precipitation amounts and intensity - that is driving interest in water storage.
  • Dr. Karen Gran, of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, took the audience quickly through thousands of years of glacial and landscape history to build an understanding of today’s issues.
  • Al Kean, the soon-retiring chief engineer for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, outlined the many and varied approaches to water storage that are being employed throughout Minnesota.
  • Melissa Lore and Dustin Anderson, staff for the Faribault County drainage department, talked about multipurpose drainage management in Faribault County. There may be no county in Minnesota as farm and drainage system rich as Faribault, they said, adding that if water storage can be done there, it can be done anywhere. 
  • Kerry Netzke described the long history of floodwater retention practiced in the western portion of the Minnesota River Basin. This portion of the basin is covered by “Area II,” a nonprofit of which Netzke is the executive director. 
  • Cody Fox outlined water storage work by the Cedar River Watershed District, where Hormel Foundation support has been key. 
  • Jennifer Hahn of the Redwood SWCD, and coordinator of the Minnesota Soil Health Coalition, wrapped up the day with a discussion of the water storage capacity of really healthy soil. With the cost and physical challenges associated with structural water storage, soil health is attracting a great deal of attention. 

Emma Young, a Minnesota GreenCorps Service member working at the Water Resources Center at MSU-Mankato organized the forum. For more information, please contact her at emma.young@mnsu.edu.


Minnesota’s water quality certified farms: Nearly half a million acres and counting

Andrew Schock  farm in Wadena County, certified for water quality

Throughout the state, 734 farmers have enrolled nearly 500,000 acres in the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program (MAWQCP). This program is a voluntary opportunity for farmers and agricultural landowners to take the lead in implementing conservation practices that protect Minnesota waters. Certified farmers receive regulatory certainty for a period of 10 years, recognition, and priority for technical and financial assistance.

Check out the new MAWQCP Story Map to learn more about certified farmers and the great work they are doing to protect water quality in Minnesota. For example, Andrew Schock farms with his dad, Dale Schock, in Wadena County (photo above). Depending on the year and the crop rotation, he may grow a combination of corn, soybeans, wheat, sunflowers, rye, and black beans. Andrew strives to make improvements to his operation each year, and is currently experimenting with cover crops. Andrew decided to become water quality certified to protect the future of his farm.

“If I’m going to be in business and carry the farm to the next generation, I have to continue to be better and push toward the edge of excellence in all aspects of farming - farm management, marketing and conservation,” he said.

Farmers and landowners interested in getting certified should visit the program webpage for more information.


In the news and online: Earth Day and more


Upcoming events: Nibi walks, Water Summit