Protecting wild rice waters

Status of MPCA proposed changes to sulfate water quality standard to protect wild rice

The MPCA has withdrawn its proposal to change the water quality standard designed to protect wild rice from adverse impacts due to sulfate pollution.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.

Notice of Withdrawal (wq-rule4-15oo)

Background

In 1973, Minnesota adopted a sulfate standard to protect wild rice based on studies showing that wild rice was found primarily in low sulfate waters. MPCA and many others have been working on revising this standard.

Rulemaking
Advisory Committee

MPCA response to comments

Proposed Rules and Notice of Hearing documents

Supporting documents

Documents being incorporated by reference into the proposed rules

Exhibits to the Statement of Need and Reasonableness

Hearing records

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.