MPCA seeks comments on restoration/protection report for Sauk River Watershed

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news release

For release: Jan. 20, 2015
Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-316-3887


MPCA seeks comments on restoration/protection report for Sauk River Watershed

Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on a watershed restoration and protection report for the Sauk River Watershed. The report, known as a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS), summarizes monitoring and water quality improvement projects completed over the past several years, and identifies strategies necessary to restore and protect the Sauk River Watershed. A public comment period begins Jan. 20 and continues through Feb. 19.

The Sauk River Watershed begins just outside of Alexandria. It includes the cities of Sauk Centre, Melrose and Cold Spring, and it drains into the Mississippi River near St. Cloud. Required by the state Clean Water Legacy Act, a WRAPS is a document that summarizes scientific studies of a major watershed including the physical, chemical and biological assessment of the water quality; identification of impairments and water bodies in need of protection; identification of biotic stressors and sources of pollution; and proposed strategies and actions designed to achieve and maintain water quality standards and goals.

The draft report is available on the Sauk River Watershed webpage or at the St. Paul MPCA office, 520 Lafayette Road N. Comments may be submitted to Scott Lucas, MPCA, 7678 College Road, Baxter, MN 56425, or by e-mail to scott.lucas@state.mn.us, by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. For more information, call Lucas at 218-316-3874 or toll-free at 800-657-3864.

Written comments must include (1) a statement of your interest in the draft WRAPS report; (2) a statement of the action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft WRAPS that you believe should be changed; and (3) specific reasons supporting your position.

More information on all of Minnesota’s 81 major watersheds is available on the MPCA’s watershed webpages (http://www.pca.state.mn.us/jsrie74).

Broadcast version

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on a watershed restoration and protection report for the Sauk River Watershed. The report summarizes monitoring and water quality improvement projects completed over the past several years. It also identifies strategies necessary to restore and protect the Sauk River Watershed. A public comment period begins January 20 and continues through February 19.

 

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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.

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