11/28/2001 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Potential Environmental Hazards In the District, the greatest potential source of surface water contamination is nonpoint source pollution from urban runoff, soil erosion, and animal wastes from feed lots. Potential groundwater contamination comes from existing dumps and industry or petroleum pipelines. Urban runoff and soil erosion sources are discussed in another section of this plan. Feedlots. There are six permitted animal feed lots in Anoka County and 30 such lots in Washington County. This is a large increase from the 16 permitted feed lots identified in the 1986 water resource management plan. Feedlots, if located close to a waterway and without proper safeguards, can contribute significant amounts of nutrients (including phosphorus) and biological oxygen demand to receiving waters. Of these 36 feed lots, 14 have 25 or more animal units and are considered commercial operations rather than hobby operations. Map 9 shows the location of permitted feed lots, and Table 2 -13 gives a brief description of each feed lot operation. Potential Groundwater Contamination. The MPCA conducted an open dump survey in 1980 and has since continually updated this survey. The MPCA, through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) permit system, maps locations where hazardous waste is either generated, stored, processed, or disposed. Map 10 shows the location of potential groundwater contamination as identified in these two programs. Table 2-14 gives the name of the potential site of groundwater contamination and a listing of the type of materials disposed at each location. The MPCA, under state and federal Superfund programs, is evaluating several sites to determine potential impacts on groundwater. Pipelines. Map 11 shows the location of petroleum pipelines throughout the District. There are three oil pipelines within the District: the American Oil Company pipeline, Williams Brothers Company pipeline, and Minnesota Pipeline Company pipeline. In addition, the Northern Natural Gas pipeline traverses the District. These petroleum and gas pipelines cross Rice Creek in several locations;- a break in these pipelines would cause harm to surface and ground waters of the District. Fish Consumption Advisory. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been found in some fish from certain waters of the District. The Minnesota Department of Health issued a consumption advisory to be used as a guide to choosing fish which are 10/97