It's a couple of days old, but the extended lede of Greg Stanley's January 17 article in the Star Tribune is a good companion to Bluestem's posts abou nitrates in water in Southeastern Minnesota, including Agency soup: MPCA, DNR, MDH & Ag release "Preventing fish kills in MN driftless region".
Stanley reported in State says it will provide clean drinking water in southeast Minnesota, but offers no new curbs on farm pollution:
The state of Minnesota said it will spend the coming months providing clean drinking water to residents in southeastern Minnesota whose wells are contaminated with farm pollution.
In a work plan released this month, state regulators gave the EPA a timeline for providing the water treatment systems, but said existing programs will eventually reduce the nitrate pollution that's fouling the wells.
Margaret Wagner, a division manager with the Department of Agriculture, said it will take time to see results of programs designed to change farming practices to reduce fertilizer runoff.
"A lot of the work we are able to do really started when the Clean Water Legacy Amendment passed in 2010," Wagner said. "While plans were developed many years ago, we had very little funding and staff. We're fully implementing the plans now."
On Nov. 3, the EPA ordered the state to take several steps to address nitrate contamination in southeast Minnesota, including provide safe water immediately to those with contaminated private wells and come up with a plan to reduce the pollution. The action was short of what community groups had requested, which was to declare a public health emergency, but they still welcomed the federal pressure.
The state's plan to reduce nitrate pollution relies on programs that have been around for 10, 20 and even 30 years without working, said state Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, the leader of the House Environmental Committee.
"It's embarrassing," Hansen said. "I'd encourage the EPA to reject it. If we have a public health crisis the answer is not 'Hey, let's grab some donuts and coffee and lobbyists and spend two years talking about it again.'" . . .
Read the entire article at the Star Tribune. Heaven knows what donuts and lobbyists would do to my blood glucose.
Photo: The high level of nitrate in its drinking water is forcing Utica, a small town in Winona County, to drill a much deeper new well. It’s a $2 million project, most of which will be paid for by the federal government. The nitrate problem in southeast Minnesota has gotten so bad that the EPA demanded the state come up with a plan to address it. Star Tribune file photo by Brian Peterson.
Related posts
- Agency soup: MPCA, DNR, MDH & Ag release "Preventing fish kills in MN driftless region"
- Minnesota nitrate pollution update: raise fertilizer fees to help pay cost of nitrate pollution
- Land Stewardship Project applauds court’s support of Winona County; launches ‘Story Center Powerline’ initiative for rural residents
- Minnesota district court rules against Winona County dairy expansion; owner will appeal
- Agweek Special Report on Rural Health: 10% of MN private wells pose a health problem
- This is fine: update on MN state agencies' response to EPA letter on karst country nitrates
- Following emergency petition regarding nitrate contamination in SEMN karst region, EPA sees further action needed to protect public health
- On ‘Cancer Road,’ a group of southeastern MN families ask if nitrate exposure is to blame
- Eleven environmental groups petition EPA on nitrate pollution in Southeast Minnesota wate
- Strib scrutinizes MN Department of Ag action on nitrate-related Groundwater Protection Rule
- Nitrates in Southwestern Minnesota water: 'Do not give the water to infants' in Ellsworth
- Commentary from MinnPost: Can the state control nitrates in Minnesota waters?
- Minnesota Department of Health isn’t properly enforcing drinking water law, and kids will suffer
- is far from over
- Packed house at Newburg Township on using local control to protect community, karst
- All citizens are equal, but one thinks he's more equal: massive hog farm shareholder* seeks to prevent August 2 Newburgh Township meeting
- Jean Wagenius: For climate and clean water, state agencies need Walz to lead
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