As FMR members know, the Mississippi River below its confluence with the Minnesota River is so turbid (full of muddy sediment) that the river’s plant and animal life suffers. This sediment is also filling in Lake Pepin — a large natural lake on the Mississippi River near the Red Wing / Lake City area.

Earlier this month, FMR co-hosted an open house on the state’s clean-up plan designed to address this problem. Approximately 120 people attended the open house, held in partnership with the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The event offered attendees the chance to learn more about this clean-up plan and what it means for Minnesotans.

Clean-up plan highlights

• Where the sediment comes from:
  • Sediment pollution to the Mississippi River is roughly 10 times its natural rate, impairing aquatic life and causing Lake Pepin to fill in and disappear.
  • The watershed draining to the river covers about half of Minnesota, making this one of the largest clean-up plans is history.
  • About 75% of sediment pollution is coming from heavily agricultural areas in the Minnesota River basin. High-intensity agricultural practices, wetland loss, and engineered drainage have dramatically increased runoff and erosion in this area.
  • Urban runoff and other sources also contribute, but in much smaller amounts.
• Based on that input, extensive research and 22 years of water monitoring data, the MPCA recommends the following reductions in the amounts of sediment flowing into the Mississippi:
  • 60% from the Minnesota River during high and very high flows and 50 percent during average and low flows,
  • 50% from the Cannon River,
  • 20% from the Upper Mississippi River,
  • 25% from urban runoff; and
  • 20% from smaller tributaries in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

While the challenge seems daunting, we have already made great strides in improving water quality in Minnesota, and the goals of this project are attainable.

Next steps

While the public comment period is yet to officially open, we encourage FMR supporters and members unfamiliar with the clean-up plan (or South Metro Mississippi Turbidity TMDL), to learn more about it and what it means for our clean water future. You can also write a letter, or contact FMR staff to be further involved.

Learn more about the clean-up plan, the South Metro Mississippi Turbidity TMDL

• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s website on the TMDL is a great place to start. For a quick but solid overview, download the MPCA’s four-page PDF Fact Sheet.
• Additional background materials from the FMR site:
  • TMDL Plan Draft Finished (November, 2010)
  • On the Drafting of the TMDL (July, 2010)
  • For a more general overview of TMDLs and The Clean Water Act, see FMR's “Clean Water Act 101”

While the official public comment period is yet to open, we will notify all FMR members when the comment period comences. Comments on the proposed draft TMDL can be submitted by mail or e-mail to:

Norm Senjem
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
18 Wood Lake Drive
Rochester, MN5 5904
norman.senjem@state.mn.us

Contact FMR’s Watershed Program Director Trevor Russell at (651) 222-2193 x18 or via our contact form to learn more about FMR’s role in the south metro turbidity standard and how you can further be involved.