A lightly-edited advisory from the MPCA:
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will be hosting three open houses on the wild rice sulfate standard rulemaking in January 2017. The main purpose is to provide the interested public with an opportunity to learn more about the MPCA's proposed approach for revisions to its wild rice sulfate water quality standard before the proposed rule goes on public notice later in 2017. MPCA staff will be available to provide information about the agency's proposed approach to protect wild rice from sulfate, the list of proposed wild rice waters, the rulemaking schedule and upcoming opportunities for public comment.
Additional information about the wild rice sulfate water quality standard is available here.
Open house events are scheduled for:
- Tuesday, Jan. 17, 6 – 8 p.m., Dakota Lodge, Thompson County Park, 1200 Stassen Lane, West St Paul
- Wednesday, Jan. 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., UM-Duluth, Kirby Student Center, Griggs Center, 2nd floor, 1120 Kirby Drive, Duluth
- Tuesday, Jan. 31, 6 – 8 p.m., Northeast Service Cooperative Office, 5525 Emerald Drive, Mountain Iron
More information about the open houses is available here.
In Meetings set on sulfate standard for wild rice, a December 2016 news brief, the Duluth News Tribune reported:
Scientists say high levels of sulfate in water damages wild rice by increasing sulfides and restricting plant growth. PCA officials — under pressure from mining companies, state lawmakers and environmental and tribal groups — are working to find out what levels of sulfate can be allowed and still protect wild rice beds.
Photo: Photo credit, University of Minnesota, National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics.
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