Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Dan Olson, (218) 846-7390 EAW Contact: Kevin Kain, (651) 296-7432 Toll free/TTY: 1-800-657-3864 Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has begun the public comment period for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) covering a proposed expansion of the Barnesville wastewater treatment facility located near the city of Hawley. The comment period ends Dec. 21, 2005. The proposed expansion would increase the facility's capacity from 303,000 gallons per day to 534,000 gpd in order to meet the demands of a growing population. The city expects its population to increase by approximately 34 percent (785 additional residents) by the year 2030, and the existing facility is approaching capacity. The expansion would include two new aerated primary ponds to be used in conjunction with existing stabilization ponds. The facility will continue to have controlled discharges to an unnamed ditch that flows into Whisky Creek during two periods each year: April 1 to June 30 and Sept. 1 to Dec. 15. The MPCA must review and approve the expansion before a permit is issued and work can begin. If a permit is issued, the agency will monitor the project to ensure it remains in compliance with permit requirements. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The EAW also helps the MPCA determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more in-depth environmental review) is needed. The MPCA may make changes to the permit based on input it receives during the public comment period and/or on new information gathered as part of its own review of the project. Comments on the Barnesville wastewater treatment facility EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2005, to Kevin Kain, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 or by fax to (651) 296-7782. Copies of the EAW are available for review at:
· On the MPCA Web site at/news/eaw/index.html;
· The Barnesville Public Library, 118 S. 5th St.;
· The MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Avenue, Suite 220; and
· The MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. North.
To request a copy of the EAW from the MPCA or receive other information related to this project, contact Kevin Kain at (651) 296-7432, or toll free at (800) 657-3864. Additional information on the environmental review process is available on the Web at/newscenter/background.html.