Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Jennifer Groebner, (651) 296-7706 Technical Contact: Barbara Conti, (651) 296-6703 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) that has been prepared for a proposed expansion of a portion of the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Division's wastewater treatment system in St. Paul. Known as the Riverview Siphon System, this segment of the wastewater collection system serves parts of St. Paul and West St. Paul. It was constructed in 1938 and needs to be improved and expanded to accommodate a growing population. The proposal is to add an additional 3,000 feet of pipe and to modify other existing parts of the system to improve operations and maintenance. The expansion will increase the capacity of the system by nearly two million gallons of wastewater per day during normal conditions, as well as provide additional capacity during rain storms. The improvements will help to reduce odors from the system, too. The EAW, a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment, is open to a 30-day public review and comment period. Comments on the Riverview Siphon Improvements Project EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2005, to Barbara Conti, MPCA Regional Division, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 or by fax to (651) 297-2343. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and decide if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the Riverview Siphon Improvements Project EAW are available for review at:

• The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
• MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html

Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling (651) 296-8420. Telephone inquiries related to the project should be directed to Barbara Conti at (651) 296-6703; (800) 657-3864 (toll free/TTY).