Status of MPCA proposed changes to sulfate water quality standard to protect wild rice
The MPCA withdrew its proposal to change the water quality standard designed to protect wild rice from adverse impacts due to sulfate pollution. The MPCA will continue to work with the public and state, local, federal, and tribal partners to investigate ways to protect this important Minnesota resource.
Chief Administrative Law Judge’s Order
Chief Administrative Law Judge’s Order on Review (April 12, 2018)
MPCA response to the ALJ report
MPCA response to the ALJ report on wild rice (wq-rule4-15nn)
Report of the ALJ/Chief ALJ
Administrative Law Judge Report/Report of the Chief ALJ (wq-rule4-15mm)
MPCA response to comments
November 22, 2017: MPCA response - Cover memo (wq-rule4-15gg)
November 22, 2017: MPCA response - Attachment 1 (wq-rule4-15hh)
November 22, 2017: MPCA response - Attachment 2 (wq-rule4-15ii)
November 22, 2017: MPCA response - Attachments 3 and 4 (wq-rule4-15kk)
December 1, 2017: MPCA rebuttal response - Memo (wq-rule4-15jj)
December 1, 2017: MPCA rebuttal response - Workbook (wq-rule4-15ll)
Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing documents
Notice of Hearing: Additional date/location (wq-rule4-15w)
Notice of Hearing (wq-rule4-15f)
Rules as Proposed (wq-rule4-15h)
Summary of proposed rules (wq-rule4-15g)
Supporting documents
Statement of Need and Reasonableness (wq-rule4-15i)
Attachments to Statement of Need and Reasonableness (wq-rule4-15j)
Documents being incorporated by reference into the proposed rules
Sampling and analytical methods for wild rice waters (wq-rule4-15l)
Interim economic guidance for water quality standards (wq-rule4-15m)
Exhibits to the Statement of Need and Reasonableness
Exhibit 1: Technical Support Document (wq-rule4-15n)
Exhibits 2-9 (wq-rule4-15o)
Exhibits 10-16 (wq-rule4-15p)
Exhibits 17-23 (wq-rule4-15q)
Exhibits 24-28 (wq-rule4-15r)
Exhibits 29-35 (wq-rule4-15s)
Exhibits 36-42 (wq-rule4-15t)
Exhibits 43-46 (wq-rule4-15u)
Hearing records
Hearing record: October 23, 2017 (wq-rule4-15x)
Hearing transcript: October 23, 2017 (wq-rule4-15y)
Hearing transcript: October 24, 2017 (wq-rule4-15aa)
Hearing transcript: October 25, 2017 (wq-rule4-15bb)
Hearing transcript: October 26, 2017 (wq-rule4-15cc)
Hearing transcript: October 30, 2017 (wq-rule4-15dd)
Hearing transcript: November 2, 2017 (wq-rule4-15ee)
Additional information
Analyzing alternatives for sulfate treatment in municipal wastewater (wq-rule4-15pp)
Research papers
- Modeling hydrologic controls on sulfur processes in sulfate-impacted wetland and stream sediments, Ng, G.- H.C., A.R Yourd, N.W. Johnson, and A.E. Myrbo. 2017, Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences, 122, doi:10.1002/2017JG003822. (E-mail to request a copy: minnrule7050.pca@state.mn.us). MPCA Hearing Exhibit L.2
- Myrbo, A., E.B. Swain, D.R. Engstrom, J. Coleman Wasik, J. Brenner, M. Dykhuizen Shore, E.B. Peters, and G. Blaha. 2017. Sulfide generated by sulfate reduction is a primary controller of the occurrence of wild rice (Zizania palustris) in shallow aquatic ecosystems. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG003787
- Available for free download (MPCA Hearing Exhibit L.3)
- Pollman, C.D., E.B. Swain, D. Bael, A. Myrbo, P. Monson, and M. Dykhuizen Shore. 2017. The evolution of sulfide in shallow aquatic ecosystem sediments – an analysis of the roles of sulfate, organic carbon, iron, and feedback constraints using structural equation modeling. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. 122. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG003785
- Available for free download (MPCA Hearing Exhibit L.4.)
- Myrbo, A., E. B. Swain, N. W. Johnson, D.R. Engstrom, J. Pastor, B. Dewey, P. Monson, J. Brenner, M. Dykhuizen Shore, and E.B. Peters. 2017. Increase in nutrients, mercury, and methylmercury as a consequence of elevated sulfate reduction to sulfide in experimental wetland mesocosms. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JG003788
- Available for free download (MPCA Hearing Exhibit L.5)
- Pastor, J., B. Dewey, N. W. Johnson, E. B. Swain, P. Monson, E. B. Peters, and A. Myrbo. 2017. Effects of sulfate and sulfide on the life cycle of Zizania palustris in hydroponic and mesocosm experiments, Ecological Applications, 27, 321-336.
- Available for free download (MPCA SONAR Exhibit 19)
Comments received. The official record of comments is maintained by the Office of Administrative Hearings. Comments can be viewed online (https://minnesotaoah.granicusideas.com/discussions) or by arrangement with the Office of Administrative Hearings. Contact: Katie Lin 651-361-7900 or fax 651-539-0310.
The 2011 wild rice sulfate standard legislation directed the MPCA to form an advisory committee “to provide input to the Commissioner on a protocol for scientific research to assess the impacts of sulfate and other substances on the growth of wild rice, review research results, and provide other advice on the development of future rule amendments to protect wild rice.”
The Wild Rice Standards Study Advisory Committee began meeting in October 2011. Members include representatives of Tribes, municipal wastewater treatment facilities, industrial dischargers, wild rice harvesters, wild rice research experts, and citizen organizations.
July 14, 2015 Wild Rice Standards Study Advisory Committee meeting summary and comments
May 18, 2015 Advisory Committee Meeting Summary and Comments
Wild Rice Standards Study Advisory Group
Wild Rice Standards Study Advisory Committee List of Members
Wild Rice Sulfate Standard 2012 Advisory Committee Meeting Agendas/ Summaries
Wild Rice Standards Study Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda