Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Buffalo, Minn. - A public information meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 2 at the Wright County Courthouse in Buffalo about a report on pollution in the North Fork Lower Crow River. Water quality testing shows low levels of dissolved oxygen, and high levels of turbidity and fecal coliform bacteria pollution. The Crow River Organization of Water (CROW), Brown and Caldwell, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will present information leading to the development of the report. Known as a Total Maximum Daily Load report, it is part of a nationwide effort under 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 (EPA). A TMDL report is a scientific study that calculates the maximum amount of a pollutant a water body can receive (known as the "loading capacity") without violating water quality standards. The TMDL report focuses on the dissolved oxygen, turbidity and fecal coliform bacteria loading capacity of the North Fork Lower Crow River, and general allocations or limits imposed on all sources necessary to meet water quality standards. Sources of bacteria, turbidity and low dissolved oxygen include failing septic systems, unsewered communities, wildlife, stormwater runoff from urban areas, livestock feedlots and manure applied to cropland. An official public comment period will be announced later; however, questions and concerns heard now will be considered in the report. The CROW joint powers board will be conducting its monthly meeting beginning at 3 p.m. Those interested are welcome to arrive early for the board meeting and stay for the TMDL information meeting at 4 p.m. Following approval of the study by the EPA, a plan will be developed to improve the water quality of the North Fork Lower Crow River so that it meets standards. For more information about the TMDL study contact Maggie Leach at 218-855-5018, or Diane Sander at 763-682-1933 ext 112. More information on the state's impaired waters list and TMDL studies is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html.