Minnesota's List of Polluted Waters Updated: Public Meetings Scheduled Throughout the State
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced recently its
biennial update of the federally required list of the state's polluted
lakes and stream segments. The draft update adds 287 new polluted
waters to the existing list, bringing the current total to 1,469.
The listed waters, also known as "impaired waters" under the
federal Clean Water Act, do not meet water-quality standards. The
waters contain pollutants at levels above acceptable limits designed to
protect public uses. The listed waters need further study to determine
how they can be restored to a healthy condition.
Only a small fraction of Minnesota's lakes and streams have been
assessed so far for impairments. As the agency gathers more data, other
waters may be added to the list. In recent years, public concern about
the number of waters on the list has risen. To help address issues
related to impaired waters in our state lawmakers passed the Clean
Water Legacy Act in 2006. In 2007, the Governor proposed and the
legislature passed additional funding for water assessment, monitoring,
clean up and protection activities.
The proposed 2008 Impaired Waters list, methodology for listing and regional maps are available on the MPCA's Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/tmdl-303dlist.html.
The list is formally on public notice from Oct. 8 to Nov. 7, 2007.
Submit questions, comments or requests for additional information to
Howard Markus at MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN, 55155, by
phone at 651-296-7295 or e-mail at howard.markus@pca.state.mn.us.
The MPCA will host a series of public information meetings throughout the state as follows.
Thursday, Sept. 27, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. St. Paul-MPCA Office 520 Lafayette Rd. N
Monday, Oct. 1, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Duluth-MPCA Office 525 Lake Ave. S
Tuesday, Oct. 2, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m International Falls Rainy River Community College
Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Brainerd-MPCA Office 7678 College Rd., Baxter
Thursday, Oct. 4 , 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Detroit Lakes-MPCA Office 714 Lake Ave.
Monday, Oct. 8, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Marshall-MPCA Office 1420 E. College Dr.
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Rochester-MPCA Office 18 Wood Lake Drive SE
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m Mankato Blue Earth County Library