MESERB works to ensure that water quality standards that impact municipal wastewater facilities are based on open and transparent science, independently reviewed and result in meaningful benefits to water quality. Water quality standards issues that MESERB is currently focused on include:

• Wild Rice Sulfate
• Chloride (and other salty parameters)
• Total Nitrogen Standard
• Mercury
• River and Lake Euthrophication Standards
• Antidegradation

For information on current, future, and completed rulemaking projects, please visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Public Rulemaking Docket.

MESERB is always looking for innovate implementation methods to address water quality regulations to achieve maximum environmental benefit while responsibly utilizing state and local resources. Such activities include:

• Water Quality Trading – Working to research and develop a more flexible trading framework including point to non-point trading.
• Integrative Planning – Working to develop a framework that allows municipalities to meet regulatory obligations while optimizing infrastructure investments through prioritization and sequencing of work.
• Plant Optimization – Working with members to identify, develop and share plant optimization techniques and technologies to maximize efficiency in existing infrastructure.

• Notice of availability and request for comments on draft Two Rivers Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies and Total Maximum Daily Load Report is open for public comment through January 23, 2019.
• Intent to reissue NPDES and SDS permit to City of Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Facility is open for public comment through January 28, 2019.
• Notice of availability and request for comments on the draft Grand Marais Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies and Total Maximum Daily Load Reports is open for public comment through February 6, 2019.
• Environmental Quality Board – Notice of intent to adopt rules without a public hearing unless 25 or more persons request a hearing, and notice of hearing if 25 or more requests for hearing are received; Revisor’s ID Number RD-04157 – The Environmental Quality Board intends to adopt rules without a public hearing following the procedures in the rules of the Office of Administrative Hearings, Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.2300 to 1400.2310, and the Administrative Procedure Act, Minnesota Statutes, sections 14.22 to 14.28. If, however, 25 or more persons submit a written request for a hearing on the rules by 4:30 p.m. on February 4, 2019, the Environmental Quality Board will hold two public hearings.EQB has changed the hearing dates for this rulemaking. The first hearing, in Room 100, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155, starting at 10 a.m. March 8, 2019 and continuing until all public comments have been heard. The second hearing at Great River Regional Library, 1300 W St. Germain St., St Cloud, MN 56301, starting at 10:30 a.m. on March 12, 2019 and continuing until all public comments have been heard. To find out whether the Environmental Quality Board will adopt the rules without a hearing or if it will hold the hearings, you should contact the agency contact person after February 4, 2019 and before March 8, 2019.