Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Technical contact: Muriel Runholt, 507-537-7137 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Marshall, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requests public comments on a draft report about fecal coliform bacteria pollution in the Chippewa River. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, is on public notice Oct. 9 through Nov. 7, 2006. The MPCA's 2006 list of impaired waters includes nine reaches, or segments, of the Chippewa River that fail to meet the standard for human contact due to excessive amounts of fecal coliform. The report also includes an additional section with data showing pollution levels. Improper manure application to crop land contributes the largest amount of fecal coliform to the Chippewa River, according to the report. Other sources include pastures and feedlots, wildlife, unsewered communities, stormwater and failing septic systems. A public information meeting on the report was held Sept. 14 in Glenwood. Every two years, states are required to submit a list of impaired waters to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The listing of impaired waters and the TMDL report are part of a nationwide effort, required by the federal Clean Water Act, to identify and restore polluted streams, rivers and lakes. States must determine the maximum daily amount, or load, of pollutants that a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards, and then determine the sources of the pollutants. As of 2006, Minnesota has identified 284 rivers and streams with one or more reaches impaired by one or more pollutants. The Chippewa River originates in northeast Douglas County and flows about 130 miles southwest to Montevideo where it enters the Minnesota River. Its watershed covers more that 1.3 million acres including most of Pope and Swift counties, and portions of Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Stevens, Douglas, Grant and Otter Tail counties. The Chippewa River fecal coliform bacteria TMDL draft report is available for review at the:
· MPCA Marshall office, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900
· MPCA Willmar office, 1601 E. Highway 12, Suite 1
· MPCA Web site at/water/tmdl/index.html.
Comments on the report must be in writing and received by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2006. Send comments and requests for additional information to: Muriel Runholt, MPCA, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900, Marshall, MN, 56258, call 507-537-7137 or e-mail muriel.runholt@pca.state.mn.us.