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The Sunrise River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy or “WRAPS” report is out for public comment and review until November 19.  The MN Pollution Control Agency said this report is one of just a handful the state has completed under the beginning phase of a “watershed holistic approach” to improving and protecting Minnesota’s water quality.  

After reviewing the WRAPS on-line you are asked to first state your interests:  if you are a fisherman, raise livestock or farm, are someone who canoes, boats, own property or you rely on water commercially, etc.  Send your thoughts and comments on any actions the PCA should take, and refer to specific items you have an issue with.  Written comments go to Christopher Klucas, 520 Lafeyette Road North St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 or e mail to [email protected].

The MN PCA has the Sunrise River watershed at the top of its list for water protection needs because,  “Water quality is degrading in areas of the Sunrise River Watershed,” showing excess levels of bad bacteria and phosphorus, “...particularly where wetlands and prairie have been converted to urban uses, and agricultural land management practices are affecting lakes and streams.”

The report project manager said, “Because many of the strategies rely on the voluntary cooperation of residents and landowners keeping them closely involved throughout this process is very important.”

Best Management Practices BMPs like no-till on crop fields, maintaining grassed waterways and filter strips and changing manure handling routines (see map of feedlots) are all recommended in the report.

Lots of data has already been collected in the Chisago County watershed area that the state used in developing these strategies.  There are 140 lakes of 10 acres or larger in size within this watershed,  and 46 of these have been monitored for many years.  The report notes stream monitoring has been on-going for years as well, with volunteers and scientific experts providing flow and turbidity and oxygen data.  Isanti County, on the other hand, has not been putting together comparable efforts.  Isanti is also an important part of the Sunrise watershed.

The WRAPS highlights contributions by Chisago County Soil and Water Conservation District, Friends of the Sunrise River, lake associations, the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District and others already participating and the PCA encourages these groups and individuals to continue to stay involved.
WRAPS charts and analysis are available at www.pca.state.mn.us and look for WRAPS news release and comment period.  

Serious issues identified in the analysis of streams and lakes in the Sunrise River Watershed include certain water bodies’ inability to support aquatic life.  There are also locations where “recreation” is not recommended due to bacteria levels.  Species such as the Higgins Eye mussel and Winged Mapleleaf mussel and sensitive coldwater trout and aquatic insect species live in this watershed,  are threatened and need protection.

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