MPCA seeks comments on water quality improvement report for Ann River Watershed

For release: Jan. 14, 2013

Contact: Cori Rude-Young, 651-757-2680

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MPCA seeks comments on water quality improvement report for Ann River Watershed

St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for the Ann River Watershed located in Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients in Ann and Fish lakes, as well as E. coli and biota impairments in the Ann River. The public comment period begins Jan. 14 and continues through Feb. 13, 2013.

Ann River was added to Minnesota’s list of impaired waters in 2002 for impaired biota (fish and invertebrate). The river was also listed in 2010 for excess E. coli. In 2004, Ann and Fish lakes were placed on the impaired waters list for nutrient impairments due to excess phosphorus.

To correct the impairments, the following improvements will be needed:
• Ann Lake: 39 percent phosphorus reduction is needed. Phosphorus loading to Ann Lake is due to runoff and internal loading.
• Fish Lake: 42 percent phosphorus reduction is needed. The majority of the phosphorus load is coming from upstream lakes, primarily Ann Lake, as well as runoff.
• E. coli: Livestock are the biggest producer of bacteria in the impaired reach watershed. The largest sources are activities associated with pasture management. Limiting cattle access to Ann River and its tributaries and buffering runoff from pastures near streams and waterways will be necessary to reduce bacterial loads.
• Biota (fish and invertebrates): The Ann River Watershed Stressor Identification Report found that sediment was the main stressor impacting the biotic communities. A 44 percent reduction of in-stream sediment is needed.

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 Ann River Watershed TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval, a plan will be developed to reduce pollution for Ann Lake, Fish Lake, and the Ann River.

The Ann River TMDL draft report is available on the MPCA’s Ann River Watershed TMDL webpage, or at the MPCA’s St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road N.

Comments may be mailed to Christopher Klucas, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd N, Saint Paul, MN 55155, or sent by email to christopher.klucas@state.mn.us. For more information, call 651-757-2498 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 Ann River Watershed in Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. The report focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients and bacteria.

The public comment period begins January 14 and continues through February 13. More information is available at the M-P-C-A’s website: www.pca.state.mn.us.

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