Media Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001
Technical Contact: Dana Vanderbosch. 651-297-1796
Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposed expansion of the city of Becker's wastewater treatment facility in Sherburne County.
In addition to the EAW, the MPCA has drafted a proposed water quality permit for the expansion. The draft permit is available for public comment concurrently with the EAW. Written comments on the EAW and draft permit will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Aug. 30, 2006.
The proposed expansion includes increasing the treatment capacity of the facility from 0.85-million gallons to 2.15-million per day. Based on the city's population growth estimates, this expansion will create enough capacity to serve the area for the next ten years.
The EAW is a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 30, 2006, to Dana Vanderbosch, MPCA, Operations and Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to dana.vanderbosch@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to 651-297-2343.
Comments on the draft permit should be submitted to Robin Novotny, MPCA, Municipal Division, Water Quality Permit Section, 7678 College Road, Ste. 105, Baxter, MN, 56425, by e-mail to robin. novotny@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to 218-828-2594.
The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed.
Copies of the EAW are available for review at:
- MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
- Becker Branch Library, 11500 Sherburne Ave.
Copies of the draft permit are available for review at:
- MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1
- MPCA Brainerd office, 7678 College Rd, Ste. 105, Baxter
To request a copy of the EAW contact Mary Osborn at 651-297-8510. For a copy of the draft permit contact, Robin Novotny at 218-828-6114, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.
