Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for the Getchell and Stony creeks, as well as an unnamed stream, south of New Munich in Stearns County. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, focuses on pollution caused by excess turbidity in the streams. A public comment period begins Aug. 2, and continues through Sept. 1, 2010.
Getchell and Stony creeks and the unnamed stream are three tributaries in the Sauk River watershed in central Minnesota. The unnamed stream was added to Minnesota’s list of impaired waters in 2008. Getchell and Stony creeks are not currently on the list, but are included in this TMDL report due to the significant amount of loading into the Sauk River from these smaller watersheds.
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 TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following approval, a plan will be developed to reduce pollution throughout the watershed.
A link to the Getchell, Unnamed, and Stony Creek TMDL draft report is available on the Web at www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/water/water-types-and-programs/minnesota-s-impaired-waters-and-tmdls/tmdl-projects/upper-mississippi-river-basin-tmdl-projects/upper-mississippi-river-basin-tmdls.html. Copies are also available or at the St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road North. Comments may be submitted to Greg Van Eeckhout, MPCA, 7678 College Rd, Ste. 105, Baxter, MN 56425, or by email to greg.vaneeckhout@state.mn.us. For more information, contact Greg Van Eeckhout at 218-316-3864, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.
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;
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.
