MPCA seeks public comment on Chippewa Watershed

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CURE members and constituents are encouraged to provide input and feedback regarding any and all concerns that they have with the Chippewa River Watershed.  This is an opportunity for a public voice to be heard.

The Chippewa River Watershed stands out as a prime example of surface water pollution issues in greater Minnesota, and how best to address them.

The Chippewa River Watershed drains a 2,080 square-mile area entering into the Minnesota River near Montevideo.  It includes portions of Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Stevens, Pope, Swift, Kandiyohi and Chippewa counties, and a very small portion of Stearns.

All the water quality details are found in the Chippewa River Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) report, which is available for public comment through Sept. 7. Another report, the Total Maximum Daily Load for this watershed, details specific water quality impairments and is also open for public comment.

According to the reports, lakes and streams in the Chippewa River Watershed are polluted with excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), algae and sediment, and have low levels of dissolved oxygen, and altered habitat conditions. In some areas, the pollution is severe enough to harm aquatic insects and fish. Of 64 lakes assessed for aquatic recreation, 30 fully support that use and 34 are impaired.

The watershed landscape is dominated by cultivated crops with small portions of perennially vegetated landscapes and developed areas. Because of the natural topography and soil characteristics in many parts of the southern area, large portions have been altered by artificial drainage for settlement and farming.

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To meet the water quality improvement goals in the watershed, the WRAPS report states that citizens and landowners must work to fully implement the buffer rule, convert marginal cropland to perennial cover, expand application of cover crops, and improve management of nitrogen fertilizer.

Unique among the state’s 80 watersheds, the Chippewa River Watershed’s “10 percent project” engages farmers, landowners, scientists and conservationists to create more continuous living cover.  This project helps to protect and restore waters for fishing, hunting, swimming and recreation, provide good wildlife habitat, and provide profitability for farmers.

Comments on the WRAPS and the TMDL reports should be submitted in writing to Paul Wymar, MPCA, 504 Fairgrounds Rd, Ste 200, Marshall, MN 56258, or by email to [email protected]. Written comments must be received by 4:30 pm on Sept. 7.

Comments must include a statement of action you wish the MPCA to take, including specific references to sections of the report that you believe should be changed, and specific reasons supporting your position.

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!