Contacts: Anne Moore, 218-302-6605
Duluth, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is requesting comments on the draft water quality improvement report for Jessie Lake in northwestern Itasca County. The report, known as the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study, focuses on reducing pollution caused by excess nutrients. The public comment period runs from Nov. 8 to Dec. 8, 2010.
The 1,700-acre lake is located within a mostly forested area in the Rainy River basin. The lake’s 23 to 40 feet depths make it a popular location for recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.
The lake was placed on the state’s 2004 impaired waters list for aquatic recreation because it exceeds the water quality standard for nutrients. Excess nutrients, such as phosphorus, create poor water quality conditions and can cause frequent summer algal blooms which limit recreational activities.
The TMDL study indicated the overall phosphorus amount introduced, or loaded, into Jesse Lake will need to be reduced by 23 percent to consistently meet water quality standards under average precipitation conditions. The study suggests reducing phosphorus loading through improved local best management practices will have the greatest benefit to the lake.
The TMDL report is part of a nationwide effort under the Clean Water Act to identify and clean up pollution in streams, lakes and rivers. It is a scientific study that calculates the maximum amount of a pollutant that a water body can receive without exceeding water quality standards for that pollutant.
After receiving comments, the MPCA will revise the draft TMDL report and submit it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval. Once the TMDL study is approved, the plan to reduce that pollutant is implemented.
The draft TMDL Report for Jessie Lake is available for review at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/tmdl-draft.html. For more information about the draft Jesse Lake TMDL study or to submit comments, contact Nolan Baratono at 218-283-2240, by e-mail at nolan.baratono@state.mn.us or in writing to 909 Riverside Drive, International Falls, Minn., 56649-2244.
Written comments must include:
Your statement of interest in the draft TMDL report; A statement of action you wish the MPCA to undertake, including specific references the draft report you believe should be changes; and, Specific reasons supporting your position.
For more information about the state’s impaired waters list and TMDL studies are available on the agency’s Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html or toll free at 800-657-3864.
