On Thursday, an administrative law judge denied the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) proposed changes to the sulfate standard for wild rice waters citing it “unconstitutional and void for vagueness.” In particular, the judge found fault with both the equation based sulfate standard the MPCA was hoping to use, as well as the proposed list of 1300 wild rice waters which would be affected.

Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:

“I am thankful to the administrative judge for recognizing the unreasonable elements of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s proposed changes to the sulfate standard for wild rice waters.

I have long held concerns about the potential impact of the MPCA’s proposed standard, and the effect it would have on our community and the state as a whole.

By denying this change, my constituents, the hard-working people of northern Minnesota, will no longer have to worry about the cost of implementing reverse osmosis water systems. In turn, this will allow them to continue to save their well-earned money without facing the prospect of an additional $2000 price gouge on their water bills.

In the future, I hope that  MPCA will consider the impact and cost of their proposals with more caution, and recognize that there are real lives and real people impacted by the choices they make in St. Paul. As I’ve stated before, we can all work together to build a sustainable community and economy that allows for us to have both a healthy mining industry along with clean water.”