MPCA wants to stop sediment from entering Minn. River

As much as 90 percent of the sediment going into the Minnesota River system must be stopped if the river is to meet government standards for water clarity, said Minnesota Pollution Control Agency officials.

Sediment from fields and river banks clouds the river's waters. Most of the sediment comes from sources that are not regulated by the Clean Water Act, such as agriculture.

The MPCA worked on a report on the river for several years, but it's only a start, said spokesman Forrest Peterson.

"It's a report on the current status, and the next big step is to work together with citizens, communities, landowners to figure out ways to start cleaning up the waterways.

The MPCA is taking public comment through April.

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