Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Jennifer Groebner, 651-296-7706 St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on proposed improvements to the wastewater treatment facility in Howard Lake. People are invited to comment on this EAW until June 5, 2007. Additionally, the MPCA has drafted modifications to the city's existing wastewater permit. The draft permit will be available for public comment beginning May 7 and written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on June 5. The proposed improvements at the wastewater treatment facility include demolition of existing facilities, construction of a new pretreatment building and installation of new equipment. The project will upgrade capacity of the plant from 369,000 to 850,000 gallons per day, accommodating 800 additional homes in Howard Lake. Treated effluent will continue to discharge to Mallard Pass Lake. A limit on the discharge of phosphorus from the plant will also apply. The EAW, a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment, is open to a 30-day public review and comment period. Comments on the Howard Lake Wastewater Treatment Improvement Project EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on June 5, 2007, to Barbara Conti, MPCA Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by fax to 651-297-2343. Comments on the draft wastewater permit should be submitted to Emily Schnick, MPCA Municipal Division, Water Quality Permit Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by fax to 651-282-6247. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and decide if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more comprehensive environmental review) is needed. Copies of the Howard Lake Wastewater Treatment Improvement Project EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html. Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-296-8420. Telephone inquiries related to the project should be directed to Barbara Conti at 651-296-6703; 1-800-657-3864 (toll free/TTY).