PCA to study sulfate levels in MN waters as mine permits await decision

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said Thursday it would start a year-long study to show the impact of sulfate on wild rice, and better understand naturally occurring sulfate levels in the state.

Few other details were made available by the state. The agency said it would work with external researchers on the two-sided studies, which could shorten the timeline for their conclusions. It’s unclear if the agency will engage with Minnesota tribes in the process.

Sources familiar with the agency’s rollout of the studies said it’s expected to work with the University of Minnesota and the Natural Resources Research Institute. The latter was founded by the Legislature through the University of Minnesota Duluth and focuses on improving the state’s economy.

MPCA has maintained a 10 mg/L wild rice sulfate standard since the 1970s, which was implemented using scientific data from the 1940s. The agency said the two analyses could inform its approach to the standard when completed next year.

The agency did not issue a determination on permits at U.S. Steel’s Keetac mine, which is expected in February ahead of the Legislature convening. MPCA said the current sulfate standard will continue to be in effect during the study period.

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US Steel permit requests reignite debate over wild rice sulfate limits

Megan Buffington

Minnesota's wild rice sulfate standard has been in place since the 1970s but has been lightly enforced. With that changing, Rangers are worried about the potential economic consequences.

Minnesota has attempted to remake its rulemaking around sulfates and wild rice since 2011, with the last flurry of activity in 2018 as former Gov. Mark Dayton closed his time in office.

After an administrative law judge rejected the state’s efforts, Dayton formed a wild rice task force to look further at the issue, but there was no movement on the group’s recommendations under Gov. Tim Walz.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency will have the ultimate say in what path Minnesota chooses, the MPCA said, as the state has to satisfy the Clean Water Act.

“We will not be able to determine if a rulemaking is needed or warranted until we complete the projects,” the MPCA said.

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