Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-8108
Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is inviting comment on a TMDL report, or a pollution study, conducted for eight lakes in Pope County that are impaired due to excess phosphorus. The lakes are Ann, Emily, Gilchrist, Leven, Malmedal, Pelican, Reno, and Strandness. Comments on the report must be sent in writing to the MPCA by Aug. 22, 2012.
A TMDL report determines the total maximum daily load of a pollutant that a water body can accept from various sources and still meet water quality standards. Phosphorus was identified as the primary pollutant leading to excessive growth of plants, such as algae, in these lakes. The study determined the amount of phosphorus reductions needed for each lake: Anne, 90 percent; Emily, 35 percent; Gilchrist, 48 percent; Leven, 35 percent; Malmedal, 72 percent; Pelican, 35 percent; Reno, 36 percent; and Strandness, 54 percent.
Sources of phosphorus include feedlots and wastewater treatment facilities; stormwater runoff; loading from upstream waters; atmospheric deposition; subsurface sewage treatment systems; groundwater, internal loading, and in-stream erosion. Where specific sources were identified, the report assigned allocations to them. These include the Blair Farms Inc. feedlot, wastewater treatment facilities in Lowry and Starbuck, and stormwater runoff from construction activities in Pope County.
Implementation of the TMDL will be accomplished by both state and local action. Water quality restoration efforts will be led by the Pope County Soil and Water Conservation District, Pope County, the Chippewa River Watershed Project, and through lake associations and the Pope County Coalition of Lakes Association.
Copies of the TMDL report are available for review at the MPCA office at 714 Lake Ave. in Detroit Lakes and on the MPCA website. Go to the MPCA’s Pope County 8 Lakes TMDL webpage. Or, you can request an electronic copy of the report from Tim James of the Detroit Lakes MPCA office (email tim.james@state.mn.us or phone him at 218-846-8103).
Written comments must include (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 report that you believe should be changed; and (3) the reasons supporting your position, stated with sufficient specificity to allow the MPCA commissioner to investigate the merits of your position.
Comments should be mailed to: Tim James, MPCA, 714 Lake Ave., Ste. 220, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501; or they can be sent by e-mail to tim.james@state.mn.us. Comments must be received by Aug. 22, 2012.
People may also request a public informational meeting to discuss the report or to have an issue addressed at a meeting of the MPCA Citizen’s Board. Call Tim James for more information.
