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Sulfates Standard Change Proposed in House

Legislation to markedly roll back the allowable amount of sulfates in wild rice waters in Minnesota is being proposed in the Minnesota House where proponents say current standards are too strict and not based on solid science.

The Duluth News Tribune has the full story HERE.

Measures in the comprehensive Environment and Natural Resources Finance bill in the Minnesota House of Representatives seeks to raise the sulfates limit in lakes and rivers that host wild rice from 10 milligrams per liter of water to 250 milligrams per liter. The bill relaxes the sulfates standard even more than in Representative Tom Rukavina’s bill, reported on earlier HERE, which set the standard at 50 milligrams per liter.

Run-off from mining waste increases the level of sulfates in surface water.

Proponents of the eased standard say the current limits — which are more strict than the state’s drinking water standards for sulfates — would unduly limit expansion of iron mining operations in northeastern Minnesota and threaten the state’s emerging copper-nickel mining efforts. They claim the limits are not based on sound science.

Environmental advocates say the limits, which have been in effect since 1973, are backed by a legitimate 60-year-old study which showed wild rice stands suffering at sulfates levels greater than 10 milligrams per liter. Wild rice stands are compromised when bacteria converts sulfates into hydrogen sulfide, which damages plants.

Public comment on the sulfates measures in the bill is expected today.


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