Contact: Alexis Donath, 651-757-2120
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Silver Lake, located near Columbia Heights and St. Anthony Village. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, focuses on pollution caused by excess nutrients. A public comment period begins March 15 and continues through April 14, 2010.
The Silver Lake watershed drains approximately 678.6 acres within three counties — Anoka, Hennepin and Ramsey. Hart Lake drains to Silver Lake from the southwest and a series of natural wetlands are found northeast of the Lake in Silverwood Park. The main land uses in the Silver Lake watershed are single family residential (40 percent), institutional (13 percent), multi-family (12 percent) and commercial (11 percent).
Silver Lake has been placed on the state’s impaired waters list for excess nutrients, caused by phosphorus from stormwater runoff. Excess nutrients create poor water quality conditions causing frequent summer algal blooms that limit recreational activities. A reduction of 15 percent in phosphorus entering Silver Lake would be required to consistently meet water quality standards under average precipitation conditions. Water quality improvement practices that would help to reduce phosphorus include reforestation and the installation of rain gardens and native plantings. More information about reducing phosphorus is included in the report.
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 Silver Lake TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval of the study, a plan will be developed to reduce phosphorus in the lake.
The Silver Lake TMDL draft report is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html or at the MPCA St. Paul office located at 520 Lafayette Road North. Comments may be submitted to Brooke Asleson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. For more information, contact Asleson at 651-757-2205.
Written comments must include the following:
• A statement of your interest in the draft TMDL report;
• 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
• Specific reasons supporting your position.
More information on the state's impaired waters list and TMDL studies is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.
