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St.
Paul, Minn.-- The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water
quality improvement report for Bluff Creek in Chanhassen, Minn. The report,
known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by
excess sediment in Bluff Creek. The public comment period begins Nov. 5 and
continues through Dec. 5, 2012.
Bluff
Creek was added to Minnesota’s list of impaired waters in 2002 for elevated
turbidity and in 2004 for impaired biota due to a low fish index of biotic
integrity (IBI). A low IBI means that fish in the creek are mostly species that
can tolerate stream sediment, while less tolerant species are missing. The
study indicates that reduction in total suspended solids is required 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 draft Bluff Creek TMDL
report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval, a plan
will be developed to reduce pollution for Bluff Creek.
The
Bluff Creek TMDL draft report is available on the MPCA’s Bluff Creek TMDL webpage or at
the MPCA’s St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road N.
Comments
may be mailed to Barb Peichel, MPCA, 520
Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, Minn. 55155 or sent by email to barbara.peichel@state.mn.us. For more information, call Peichel
at 651-757-2646 or 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.
More information on the state's impaired waters list
and TMDL studies is available on the MPCA’s Impaired Waters and TMDLs webpage,
or by calling 800-657-3864.
Broadcast version
The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on a water quality
improvement report for Bluff Creek in Chanhassen.
The report focuses on pollution caused by excess sediments.
The public comment period begins November
5, and continues through December 5. More information is available at the
M-P-C-A’s website: www.pca.state.mn.us.
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The mission of the MPCA is to work with Minnesotans to protect, conserve and improve our environment and enhance our quality of life.
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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