The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

February 8, 2010

Mississippi River water quality meetings set

The Free Press

WASECA — WASECA — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is holding public meetings  on a water quality standard proposed for the south metro Mississippi River.

The standards will affect the Minnesota River, which empties into the Mississippi.

One meeting will be 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the University of Minnesota Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. Another meeting will be Feb. 23 in Red Wing.

The MPCA is conducting a pollution study of this reach of the Mississippi River. It is called a Total Maximum Daily Load study and includes setting a water quality standard specifically for this stretch of the river. The MPCA is proposing this specific standard because existing standards are not designed to protect the unique aquatic ecosystem of this part of the river.

The proposed standard is an integral part of the pollution study, which will be finalized after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approves the standard. The pollution study will have a separate comment period.

The standard will apply to the stretch of the Mississippi River running from its confluence with the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling to upper Lake Pepin at Red Wing. The proposed standard addresses water clarity and the growth of rooted vegetation needed for a healthy ecosystem.

The deadline for comments, which must be in writing, is 4:30 p.m. March 26. Additional details about the proposed standard can be found on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.

 

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