Plans to reduce runoff announced

Algae bloom in the St. Croix at St. Mary's Point, MN (Photo by Jennifer Brigham)

One of the reasons this website is called St. Croix 360 is to highlight efforts to reduce algae-causing pollution in the lower St. Croix. Scientific research by public agencies has identified a measurement of 360 tons per year of phosphorus as a target to improve water quality.

The goal level — the same as what it was in the 1940s — should help keep river water clean and clear, beautiful to look at, healthy for fish and wildlife, and good for swimming and boating.

Recently, a joint project of Minnesota and Wisconsin to reduce such pollution reached a new stage. Members of the public are invited to meetings on Tuesday, January 31 to learn more and to submit comments on the draft plan.

A news release from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources explained the plan looks at all sources of phosphorus pollution in the area around the river, and proposes steps to reduce runoff:

Wisconsin and Minnesota are embarking on an ambitious, long-term campaign to restore the pollution-impaired waters of the scenic, nationally treasured St. Croix River that forms a border between the states.

Officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the effort will involve municipalities, industries, businesses and farms within the St. Croix River basin. Moreover, there are ways every resident of the basin and every visitor to these waters can contribute, experts said.

“It will take a commitment from everyone who lives or recreates in the basin to restore our local watersheds and prevent the long-term, slow degradation of Lake St. Croix,” said Dan Baumann, DNR director of water programs out of Eau Claire.

A detailed, draft report that explains this effort will be the topic of public information meetings Jan. 31 in Hudson – located on the river in St. Croix County – and to the north in Siren, located about 25 miles west of Spooner in Burnett County. A public comment period runs through Feb. 11. Continue reading…

Meeting details

January 31:

Siren: 10 a.m. Room 165 on the first floor of the Burnett County Government Center, 7410 County Road K.
Hudson: 7 p.m. in the Community Room, lower level of the St. Croix County Government Center, 1101 Carmichael Road.