MESERB fall meeting focuses on proposed water regulations

The Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board (MESERB) held its 2010 fall meeting in Melrose. Flaherty & Hood attorneys Steve Nyhus and J.D. Burton provided staffing assistance and a legal activities report to the group. Attendees discussed issues including proposed numeric nutrient standards for Minnesota rivers and streams, environmental laboratory regulations, effluent limits for mercury affecting northern Minnesota communities and in-progress Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) projects for the Minnesota River and Lake Pepin. The group also heard a lunchtime presentation by Dr. Heiko L. Schoenfuss of St. Cloud State University, a leader in research on endocrine disrupting compounds, on his work regarding trace chemicals found in Minnesota surface waters, their effects and options for addressing the issue.