Tell MPCA to Include Wild Rice Waters in Impaired Waters List

In case after case, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has allowed mining projects to increase emissions of toxic mercury, sulfates and other pollutants in our state’s waters.

Under the Clean Water Act, the Impaired Waters list must identify waters not meeting designated uses.  Minnesota Rules set a water quality sulfate standard of 10 milligrams in wild rices waters and recognize that the quality of waters and habitat “necessary to support the propagation and maintenance of wild rice plant species must not be materially impaired or degraded.”  (Minn. R. 7050)

Send a comment letter to the MPCA today. Tell them that:

1.    You appreciate the Agency’s work to identify and list waters that are impaired for their ability to sustain fish and other aquatic species that need protection.

2.    You want the Agency to list Minnesota waters where wild rice is impaired by high sulfate loadings – so that pollution can be limited and wild rice restored.