Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Jennifer Maleitzke, 651-757-2549 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Groundhouse River in Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties, west of the city of Ogilvie. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by fecal coliform and sedimentation. A public comment period begins Feb. 9 and continues through March 11, 2009. The watershed drains approximately 139 square miles (88,998 acres) and encompasses 14 percent of the Snake River watershed. The upper portions of the Groundhouse River watershed contain forest cover. The watershed supports agricultural activities further downstream, including animal pasture and forage, and grain production. The Groundhouse River has been placed on the state's impaired waters list for fecal coliform and impaired biota caused by sedimentation. Sources contributing to sediment loads include erosion from unstable stream banks and adjacent cropland, and gravel pits. The TMDL study showed that among all sources of sediment, streambank erosion and crop production contribute the highest percentage of sediments to the Groundhouse River watershed. Primary sources of fecal coliform pollution consisted of failed or non-compliant onsite sewage treatment systems and agricultural practices. The TMDL report 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 exceeding water quality standards. After receiving public comments, the MPCA will revise the draft Groundhouse River TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. A plan will be developed to reduce fecal coliform and sediment pollution in the river following EPA approval of the study. The Groundhouse River TMDL draft report is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html or at the St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road North. Comments may be submitted to Christopher Klucas, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN 55155. For more information, contact Klucas at 651-757-2498. Written comments must include the following:
1. A statement of your interest in the draft TMDL report;
2. A statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft TMDL that you believe should be changed; and
3. Specific reasons supporting your position. 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 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.