In the last two years the state has added 500 lakes and streams to the list of polluted water in Minnesota -- and removed four.
Those daunting numbers aren't as bad as they seem. The state Pollution Control Agency is still assessing all the water in Minnesota to figure out which ones are polluted with what. So far its assessed a fifth of the state's 81 watersheds, and is working on another fifth. It will take ten years to do them all.
But in the meantime, more are added than removed. Once the assessment is complete, the state must put together a clean up plan that includes local governments and communities. That's the hard part.
It wants to remove four based on clean-up activities.
This month the PCA will hold a series of public meetings around the state to present the latest round-up to the public.
The meetings will be held:
• Wednesday, Jan. 11, 1-3 p.m., MPCA Office, 714 Lake Ave., Detroit Lakes
• Thursday, Jan. 12, 1-3 p.m., MPCA Office, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul
• Wednesday, Jan. 18, 1- 3 p.m., MPCA Office 7678 College Road, Baxter
• Thursday, Jan. 19, 1-3 p.m., MPCA Office, 525 Lake Ave., Duluth
• Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2-4 p.m., McKinneys on Southside, 300 14th St. S., Benson
• Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m. Blue Earth County Public Library, 100 E. Main St., Mankato
