Contact: Alexis Donath, 651-757-2312
St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a draft report concerning impairments to Shingle Creek and Bass Creek, located in the northwest Twin Cities metro area.
According to the report, Shingle Creek’s aquatic invertebrate community, made up of species like water beetles and mayflies, is impaired because of low levels of dissolved oxygen and other factors. Bass Creek suffers from impairments to its fish population due to similar factors. The report calls for improving these conditions by aerating wetland outlets, reshaping stream beds, restoring habitat, managing stormwater runoff, and reducing the amount of road salt that goes into the creeks.
This report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report, is part of a nationwide effort to clean up pollution in lakes and streams. The purpose of the report is to assess conditions in an impaired water body, identify the sources of the problem, and specify changes needed to return conditions to an acceptable level. After reviewing comments from the public and obtaining approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the MPCA and local organizations will work out a plan for improving aquatic life in Shingle and Bass creeks.
The draft report may be viewed at /veiz965. For more information or to submit comments, contact Barb Peichel Barbara.Peichel@state.mn.us, phone 651-757-2646), MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194. Written comments must be received at the MPCA office by July 20, 2011. They must include an explanation of the commenter’s interest in the TMDL report, a clear statement of any recommended changes (including references to specific sections of the TMDL), and specific reasons for any proposed changes.
To learn more about impaired waters, visit the MPCA’s website at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl.
