Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, (218) 855-5001 Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for proposed changes at the Brainerd wastewater treatment facility. Citizens are invited to comment on this EAW until April 25, 2007. In addition to the EAW, the MPCA has drafted modifications to the city's existing wastewater permit. The draft permit will be available for public comment beginning March 29. Written comments on the draft permit will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., April 27. The proposed changes at the wastewater facility include a two part upgrade at the plant to allow for an increase in its capacity from the current 3.6-million gallons per day to 7.5-million. The upgrades will accommodate the estimated Brainerd/Baxter population growth during the next 20 years. The two cities now have a combined population of more than 20,000. The projected estimate in 2026 is nearly 45,000 people. Since the facility discharges to the Mississippi River, total suspended solids and oxygen demand loading will not increase from their current levels, and phosphorus and mercury limits will now be applied. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on April 25, 2007, to Barbara Jean Conti, MPCA, Operations and Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to barbara.conti@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to (651) 297-2343. Comments on the draft wastewater permit should be submitted to Robin Novotny, MPCA, Municipal Division, Water Quality Permit Section, 7678 College Rd., Ste. 105, Baxter, MN 56425, by e-mail to robin.novotny@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to (218) 828-2594. The MPCA will use the comments on the EAW to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the EAW are available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· Brainerd Public Library, 416 S. 5th St., Brainerd
Copies of the draft permit are available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1
· MPCA Brainerd office, 7678 College Rd, Ste. 105, Baxter