CGMC has been advocating for an update to Minnesota’s Class 3 and 4 waters for many years. We are pleased that this process is nearing its final step.
The current rules for Class 3 and 4 waters, often referred to as salty water rules, are outdated and unduly restrictive, causing problems for our cities that had limits for these rules in their permits. For example, the Tru-Shrimp company decided against investing in Luverne, in part, because of problems with this rule.
Over the last year, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has revised the rules to reflect updated research and understanding of salty parameters and to provide more flexibility for our communities. CGMC has actively participated in the rulemaking process. The final rules were recently approved by an Administrative Law Judge and have now been published in the State Register, the final step in the state rulemaking process. MPCA is submitting the rules to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for final approval this week.
We are pleased with the steps that have been taken to modernize these rules and thank all the CGMC members who assisted as we worked through this process. If you have any questions, please contact CGMC environmental lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel at eawefel@flaherty-hood.com.
