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St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
and local groups in the Valley Branch sub-watershed — an area primarily in
Washington County that includes Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Afton, and Oakdale, that
is part of the larger Lower St. Croix watershed— are recommending
actions to restore several bodies of water and protect those in good health.
The Valley Branch Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report
and Valley Branch Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report are
available for public review through Oct. 27.
In-depth monitoring and analysis has identified high levels of
bacteria and phosphorus in some bodies of water in the Valley Branch watershed,
including Kelle’s Creek in Afton and Sunfish Lake in Lake Elmo. Increased urban
development has created more impervious surfaces and land disturbance, and
resulted in stormwater that carries excess phosphorus and sediment into bodies
of water and degrades water quality. Phosphorus can also be released from
sediments within a lake, contributing to an “internal loading” of phosphorus.
Improperly functioning septic systems may also contribute to water quality
problems in the area. The TMDL report quantifies the pollutant levels,
identifies the sources of the pollution, and proposes ways to bring water
quality back to an acceptable condition.
The WRAPS report identifies impaired water bodies and those in
need of protection, and identifies the actions needed to achieve and maintain
water quality. For example, fixing substandard septic systems, in-lake
treatment strategies, and implementing stormwater-control projects will help
improve water quality in the watershed.
Many groups are participating in restoration and protection
efforts, including the Valley Branch Watershed District, Washington County,
Washington Conservation District, local governments, several state agencies,
and other organizations. Individuals are always encouraged to get involved.
These reports are some of just a handful completed under the
state’s watershed
approach, a holistic way of gauging the health of streams and lakes,
and developing strategies to restore or protect their water quality.
The report is available on the MPCA’s Public
Notices webpage or at the MPCA’s St. Paul office, at 520 Lafayette
Road N. The MPCA encourages those interested in the Valley Branch Watershed to
review and provide feedback on the reports. Comments on the reports should be
submitted in writing by Oct. 27, 2015, to Rachel Olmanson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette
Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194, or sent by email to rachel.olmanson@state.mn.us.
Olmanson is available to answer questions at 651-757-2473.
Written comments must specify which report you are commenting
on, include a statement of your interest in the report, and the action you wish
the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the draft report
you believe should be changed. You must state the specific reasons for your
position.
More information is available on the MPCA’s Impaired
waters and TMDLs webpage.
Broadcast version
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and its local partners
are recommending strategies to restore and protect water bodies in the Valley
Branch Watershed. The watershed is an area primarily in Washington County
that includes Lake Elmo, Woodbury, Afton, and Oakdale.
The Valley Branch Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load and
Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy reports detail the pollutant
levels, sources of pollution, and strategies for remedying impaired water
quality and for protecting non-impaired bodies of water in the watershed.
The draft reports are available for public review and comment
through October 27, on the M-P-C-A’s Public
Notices webpage or at the M-P-C-A’s Saint Paul office, at 520
Lafayette Road North.
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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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