ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed changes to the state's water quality standards for protecting wild rice.
State law currently limits discharges of sulfates into wild rice waters to 10 milligrams per liter. The MPCA has proposed changing that to a site-specific approach based on the characteristics of individual water bodies. The draft proposal also would establish criteria for determining which lakes and streams will be designated wild rice waters, and includes initial lists.
It's been a contentious issue, pitting mining interests against American Indian tribes and environmentalists.
The MPCA is taking comments through Dec. 18. It will consider those comments as it develops formal rules.
The agency says it intends to adopt rules by 2018 but hasn't formulated a schedule.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
30-Day Comment Period On Wild Rice Standards Now Open
/ CBS Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has opened a 30-day public comment period on proposed changes to the state's water quality standards for protecting wild rice.
State law currently limits discharges of sulfates into wild rice waters to 10 milligrams per liter. The MPCA has proposed changing that to a site-specific approach based on the characteristics of individual water bodies. The draft proposal also would establish criteria for determining which lakes and streams will be designated wild rice waters, and includes initial lists.
It's been a contentious issue, pitting mining interests against American Indian tribes and environmentalists.
The MPCA is taking comments through Dec. 18. It will consider those comments as it develops formal rules.
The agency says it intends to adopt rules by 2018 but hasn't formulated a schedule.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Minnesota
New scholarship honors Jessi Pierce, hockey reporter killed in fire
Minnesota businesses scramble ahead of federal THC ban
Civilians pull driver from Lake Phalen after vehicle enters water
Two die in crash after short pursuit in St. Paul
Fulton County considers closing elementary school
Cranbury, New Jersey, was robbed of $26 million earmarked for affordable housing, officials say
Bridgeport neighbors speak out against environmental impact study released by Amtrak, FRA
With new Democratic Congress incoming, Pritzker calls for AI regulations