South metro cleanup plan open for public comment!

From the confluence with the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling (above) to Lake Pepin, the south metro section of the Mississippi River suffers from high levels of suspended sediment in the water, i.e. high turbidity.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is requesting public comments on the draft South Metro Mississippi Total Suspended Solids TMDL report through April 27th. Following the comment period, the MPCA will revise the draft TMDL report and submit it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for final approval.

Background

From its confluence with the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling to Lake Pepin near Red Wing, the south metro section of the Mississippi River is clogged with dirt and soil particles (sediment) that harms aquatic life and negatively impacts river recreation.

This sediment is also filling in Lake Pepin, the upper third of which will be gone before the end of this century unless action is taken. After years of work, the state has completed draft sediment cleanup goals for each of the major tributaries and pollution sources to the south metro Mississippi River. These goals are at the heart of the MPCAs cleanup plan.

The cleanup plan — called a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) — includes pollution-reduction goals specific to each of the major watersheds that drain to the Mississippi River. The MPCA recommends the following reductions in the amounts of sediment flowing into the Mississippi:

• 60% from the Minnesota River during high and very high flows and 50% during average and low flows;
• 50% from the Cannon River;
• 20% from the Upper Mississippi River;
• 25% from urban runoff; and
• 20% from smaller tributary rivers and streams in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition, the MPCA and local partners are planning for changes within the river itself, such as temporarily lowering water levels to jump-start the growth of important aquatic vegetation, bottom-dwelling plants.

When these pollution goals are achieved, aquatic vegetation in the river would roughly double, and the overall health and vitality of the rivers ecology would greatly improve. In addition, the expected lifespan of Lake Pepin would nearly double.

How you can help

FMR members and friends can help move this project forward by offering comments in support of the state's cleanup efforts

• Attend a special South Metro TSS TMDL comment writing clinic with the Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance, Thursday, March 29, noon-4:30 p.m. at the St. James Hotel in Red Wing.
• Look for a special FMR announcement, complete with comment guidelines, sample comments and additional information, in early April. We hope you will take the opportunity to let your voice be heard on this important project.

For more information:

• Learn more about the South Metro Mississippi Turbidity TMDL.
  • The Minnesota Pollution Control Agencys website on the TMDL is a great place to start.
  • For a quick but solid overview, download the MPCAs four-page PDF Fact Sheet.
  • The full cleanup plan is also available on the MPCA's site.
• Additional FMR background materials:
  • TMDL Plan Draft Finished (November, 2010)
  • On the Drafting of the TMDL (July, 2010)
• Learn more about TMDLs and The CleanWater Act at FMRs Clean Water Act 101
• Contact FMRs Watershed Program Director Trevor Russell at 651-222-2193 x18 or via our contact form to learn more about FMRs role in the south metro turbidity standard and how you can further be involved.