Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887
Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a water quality improvement report for Buffalo Creek, which is a major tributary to the South Fork Crow River. The report, known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), focuses on pollution caused by excess bacteria. A public comment period begins June 13, and continues through July 13, 2011.
Buffalo Creek runs primarily through Renville and McLeod counties and flows into the South Fork Crow River near the city of Glencoe.
Buffalo Creek was placed on Minnesota’s list of impaired waters in 2008, because of excess bacteria levels, particularly fecal coliform. This TMDL study indicated that bacteria will need to be reduced by 40-75 percent in parts of the creek for it to meet water quality standards.
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 without exceeding water quality standards.
After receiving public comments, the MPCA will revise the Buffalo Creek TMDL report and submit it to the EPA for approval. Following EPA approval of the study, a plan will be developed to reduce pollution throughout the watershed.
The Buffalo Creek TMDL draft report is available online at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/tmdl-draft.html or at the MPCA’s St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. North. Comments may be submitted to Maggie Leach, MPCA, 7678 College Rd., Ste. 105, Baxter, MN 56425, or by e-mail to margaret.leach@state.mn.us. For more information, contact Maggie Leach at 218-316-3895, or toll-free at 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; and
3. Specific reasons supporting your position.
More information on the state's impaired waters list and TMDL studies is available online at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/tmdl/index.html.
