Contact: Dan Olson, MPCA Detroit Lakes Office, 218-846-8101
Perham, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) invites public comment on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion and upgrade of the Perham municipal wastewater treatment facility. The expansion would add a new 19.2-acre holding pond and two new spray irrigation sites. The comment period ends June 15.
The existing facility is designed to treat an average wet-weather flow of 0.58 million gallons per day (mgd). It consists of two aerated ponds, three holding ponds, and land application onto seven rapid infiltration basins and four spray irrigation sites. Because the facility is exceeding its current capacity, the city proposes additions and improvements that would increase its capacity over the next 20 years to 1.107 mgd. However, the improved facility would initially be permitted for 0.720 mgd, the amount of wastewater that can currently be treated given the number of acres available for land application. When the city secures adequate acreage for additional irrigation, it may apply for a permit modification that reflects the full design capacity of 1.107 mgd.
There are currently no discharges to surface waters from the facility and that will remain the case following the planned expansion. Work is expected to begin this summer and be completed by fall.
Comments on the proposed expansion and upgrades should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m., June 15, 2011, to Debra Moynihan, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155 or by fax to 651-757-2587. Comments arriving after this time will not be considered.
The EAW is a preliminary environmental review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The EAW also helps the MPCA determine if a more in-depth environmental review is needed.
Copies of this EAW are available for review online at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html; at the MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Ave., Suite 220; and at the MPCA’s St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N. To request a paper copy of the EAW, call Mary Osborn at 651-757-2101 or toll-free 800-657-3864.
Additional information on the environmental review process is available online at www.mnplan.state.mn.us/eqb/pdf/envreview.PDF.
