Contacts: Cathy Rofshus, 507-206-2608 and Forrest Peterson, 320-441-6972
St. Paul, Minn. ― The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency plans to host events recognizing stakeholders and advisers who have participated in the development of two major Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality projects, for the South Metro Mississippi River and the Minnesota River.
On Wednesday, March 21, members of the Minnesota River Turbidity TMDL Advisory Committee and Sediment Reduction Advisory Committee are invited to a recognition event and TMDL update from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., including lunch, at the Redwood Area Community Center in Redwood Falls. After lunch there will be optional small group conversation on specific aspects of the TMDL report.
On Thursday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., members of the South Metro Mississippi Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Science Advisory Panel are invited to a recognition event and TMDL update, including lunch, at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing.
Bob Finley, regional watershed manager for the MPCA, will provide an overview of the draft reports at the March 21 and March 29 events. Advisory group members are welcome to attend either meeting if they are unable to attend their group meeting. An RSVP is needed to determine the number for lunch.
RSVP for the March 21 Minnesota River event by contacting Public Information Officer Forrest Peterson (email forrest.peterson@state.mn.us or phone 320-441-6972). RSVP for the March 29 South Metro Mississippi event by contacting Public Information Officer Cathy Rofshus (email catherine.rofshus@state.mn.us or phone 507-206-2608). All interested people are welcome to attend, although the lunch count is limited to 100.
Details will be announced later about additional meetings to be scheduled in St. Paul and Mankato. A meeting focusing on urban stormwater aspects of the TMDLs has been scheduled for April 19. It will be 9-11 a.m. at the MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N. Groups may also request presentations by MPCA staff.
The TMDL reports focus on turbid water caused primarily by sediment. Turbidity is caused by suspended and dissolved matter, such as clay, silt, organic matter, and algae. High turbidity results in poor water quality for aquatic habitat, recreation, industrial use, and human consumption.
The reports are on public notice through April 27. During this period, comments become part of the review-and-approval process. The MPCA prepares responses to comments, and may amend the draft reports if necessary. The reports are available on the agency’s South Metro Mississippi Turbidity Impairment webpage and the Minnesota River Turbidity Impairment webpage.
Also on March 29 the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance will host two related events at the St. James Hotel:
1. The first, from 1:00-4:30 p.m., is a workshop focused on providing comment on the South Metro Mississippi TMDL.
2. The second, from 5-9 p.m., is a Citizen-led Conversation on Water Quality Goals. This event includes dinner at no cost to participants, but preregistration is required: Call 877-269-2873 (toll-free). The number of participants is limited to 80. Farmers are especially encouraged to attend.
For more information, contact Patrick Moore of Clean Up the River Environment at 320-841-1487 or Mike McKay of the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance at 651-308-0178.
