Resolution Number 03-15 Sulfates
RESOLUTION NUMBER 03-15
IN SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC PROCESS TO DESIGNATE WATERS SUBJECT TO THE MPCA WATER WILD RICE QUALITY STANDARD
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act process to establish water quality standards requires that the MPCA “designate” waters where standards apply; and
WHEREAS, we support a public and transparent process to designate where water quality standards apply; and
WHEREAS, the 2011 law passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Dayton requires that before the MPCA designates waters subject to a wild rice standard it must establish criteria for that designation after consultation with the Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Indian Tribes and others and after public notice and comment; and
WHEREAS the 2011 legislation also requires the MPCA to amend its rules to designate each body of water, or specific portion thereof, where the water quality standard applies; and
WHEREAS, the MPCA has not yet complied with the 2011 law to establish criteria to designate waters subject to a wild rice standard or amend its rules to list those waters; and
WHEREAS, because the cost of complying with a sulfate standard to protect wild rice could have extremely significant impacts on wastewater treatment costs it is important that the MPCA comply with the 2011 law allowing public participation in the process of designating waters subject to the standard;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MOUNTAIN IRON, MINNESOTA, that MPCA be required to comply with the 2011 law so that waters are not designated as subject to a wild rice standard until the MPCA completes a public process to establish criteria for designating such waters and amends its rules to list those waters;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MPCA be prohibited from imposing any requirements on wastewater dischargers regarding the wild rice water quality standard until the MPCA has completed the designation process required in the 2011 law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City of Mountain Iron supports passage of House File 1000/Senate File 2015 to require the MPCA to comply with the requirements of the 2011 law.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL THIS 16th DAY OF MARCH, 2015.
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Mayor Gary Skalko
ATTEST:
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City Administrator
