Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Barbara Skoglund, 651-296-5965 Technical contact: Tim Larson, 651-282-5559 Saint Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requests public comments on the draft "Total Maximum Daily Load Evaluation of Chloride Impairments in Shingle Creek." The report, known as a TMDL, is on public notice until Oct. 24, 2006. The creek begins in Brooklyn Park in northwestern Hennepin County at the junction of Bass and Eagle Creeks, and flows generally southeast to its confluence with the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. It is impaired for aquatic life because its high chloride levels are above Minnesota water quality standards. Due to the high chloride levels, the creek appears on Minnesota's list of impaired waters. The list and report are part of a nationwide effort under the TMDL provision of 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. States and local organizations must determine the maximum daily amount of pollutants that a water body can carry and still meet water quality standards. The main source of chloride is runoff containing road salt and other deicing products. Several road maintenance authorities use road salt for winter snow and ice control. A network of freeways, highways and local roads crisscross Shingle Creek's watershed including Interstates 94 and 694, and U.S. Highways 169 and 100. Rainwater and snowmelt from these roadways drain into the creek. Private applicators and homeowners also use products containing chloride to control snow and ice. Road maintenance contributes approximately 82 percent of the chloride load to the creek and is the primary focus of reduction efforts. A detailed implementation plan is under development. The draft TMDL is currently on public notice and available on the MPCA Web site at/water/tmdl.html. Comments must be in writing and must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2006. Send comments and requests for additional information to: Tim Larson
520 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
651-282-5559, TDD 651-282-5332, 800-657-3864 timothy.larson@pca.state.mn.us