Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contacts: Kayla Job, 651-757-2468 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The public is invited to attend the tenth annual "Protecting the St. Croix" Conference scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University Center of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The lower 25 miles of the St. Croix River Basin between Stillwater, Minn. and Prescott, Wisc., known as Lake St. Croix, was designated as an impaired water in 2008 due to excess phosphorus. While phosphorus is an essential nutrient for algae and plants, it is considered a water pollutant when it stimulates excessive growth and impairs water quality. The scenic and recreational river is an important resource to both Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the two states are working together with groups in the basin to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce the flow of phosphorus to the river and improve the water quality of Lake St. Croix. This year's "Protecting the St. Croix" Conference, sponsored by University of Wisconsin - River Falls and the St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning team, will provide information on the water quality improvement project and allow for businesses, farmers, municipalities and citizens in the basin to come together and share ideas about how to improve the water quality of this valuable resource. It will feature a keynote address from Dr. Deborah Swackhammer, nationally-recognized professor and co-director of the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota. The conference is open to the public and registration is open until April 10. Further information on the program content and registration is available at http://basineducation.uwex.edu/stcroix or by calling 715-635-7406. The cost for the conference, including continental breakfast and buffet luncheon, is $50.00 with a special $25.00 rate for secondary and post-secondary students.