THE 2006 ST. CROIX NUTRIENT REDUCTION AGREEMENT-THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE POLICY

Randy S. Ferrin, St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team

In April 2006, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency signed a historic agreement to work together towards a twenty-percent reduction in phosphorus loading in the St. Croix Basin. In the agreement, the two agencies affirmed their desire to:

1. Jointly evaluate and establish water quality standards related to eutrophication which are applicable to Lake St. Croix by the end of 2009;
2. In partnership with the St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team, perform a point and non-point source nutrient loading study and develop an implementation plan by June 30, 2009;
3. Coordinate and improve water quality monitoring and assessment capabilities to track progress on the achievement of the recommended twenty percent phosphorus reduction goal for Lake St. Croix; and
4. Provide continued staff and funding support to the St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team.

The agreement was the culmination of years of work by the St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team (Basin Team) to provide a sound scientific basis for the reduction goal. This presentation briefly summarizes the agreement and the science that went into the goal setting process and illustrates how good science and good interagency communication can result in good policy. Future steps in implementing the goal will also be briefly highlighted.

Suggested reading

St. Croix Basin Water Resources Planning Team. 2004. St. Croix Basin Phosphorus-Based Water Quality Goals. MPCA publication.
www.pca.state.mn.us/water/basins/stcroix