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 Hardwood Creek in Anoka and Washington counties. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, addresses impaired biota (fish) and low dissolved oxygen levels in the creek. A public comment period begins March 9 and continues through April 8, 2009. The upper two-thirds of Hardwood Creek, also known as Washington County Judicial Ditch #2, originates south of Rice Lake. The watershed is predominantly made up of agricultural or undeveloped land. A stream listed for "impaired biota" means that the stream is not supporting an appropriate quantity and/or diversity of native fish. Through a stressor identification process, the primary causes of the impairments in Hardwood Creek were identified as excess sedimentation and low dissolved oxygen. The TMDL for the biological impairment is based on high levels of total suspended solids (TSS), which are caused by sedimentation problems. The low dissolved oxygen TMDL focuses on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) loading, a measure of the oxygen-consuming organic matter additions to the water body. For Hardwood Creek to meet water quality standards, it is estimated that the average TSS concentration will need to be decreased approximately 14 percent, and the average BOD concentration will need to be decreased approximately 30 percent, 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 watersto the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A TMDL report is a scientific study of an impaired water body 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 Hardwood Creek TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval of the study, a detailed plan will be developed to reduce pollutant loads and restore Hardwood Creek. The Hardwood Creek 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 Chris Zadak, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155. For more information, contact Zadak at 651-757-2837. 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 by calling toll-free at 800-657-3864.