Volunteers needed to monitor the health of Minnesota lakes, streams

St. Paul, Minn. -- Do you live near a lake or stream in Minnesota, or visit one regularly?

If so, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) needs your help. Join more than 1,400 Minnesotans who track the health of their favorite lake or stream through the Citizen Lake Monitoring Program or the Citizen Stream Monitoring Program.

These volunteers measure water clarity in their lake or stream weekly throughout the summer months, using simple equipment provided by the MPCA. Water clarity, or transparency, is an important indicator of the health of a lake or stream. The MPCA uses water clarity data to track water quality trends and to make decisions on watershed protection and restoration. For some lakes and streams, data collected by volunteers are the only data available, making this work very valuable.

Some volunteers have participated in the MPCA’s water monitoring program for over 35 years. Long-term volunteers report that monitoring has given them a new way of learning about the lake or stream they love, and volunteers enjoy sharing their knowledge with neighbors who also care about clean water.

To become a volunteer or learn more about the programs, visit the MPCA’s Volunteer surface water monitoring webpage or call 651-296-6300 (in the Twin Cities) or 800-657-3864 (outside the Twin Cities metro area).

Task force members sought for health care reform project

The Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) are seeking individuals to serve on two task forces that will support the Minnesota Accountable Health Model (ACH) initiative. In February the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) awarded Minnesota a $45 million State Innovation Model (SIM) grant for its ACH model, which is designed to provide better care at a lower cost. This effort is a joint initiative of DHS and MDH.

The two task forces are the Community Advisory Task Force and the Multi-Payer Alignment Task Force. The application deadline for both groups is April 23. Individuals may learn about the application process at the Open Commissions & Appointments page on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s web site: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/.

“To succeed we need the best ideas and insights from a diverse range of people, from those who are experts in health care to those who are experts in their own communities,” Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger said. “This is an exciting opportunity for Minnesota to strengthen the relationships between state government, health care providers and local communities.”

The ACH model will help communities assess methods intended to improve the health of their citizens. During a three-and-a-half year period beginning April 1, 2013, Minnesota will develop and test new ways that government, communities, social services organizations, public health departments and health care providers of all types can work better together.

According to Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, the ACH initiative exemplifies why Minnesota leads the nation in health care reform: “The ACH model is an innovative approach that allows us to provide every Minnesotan with the opportunity to receive team-based, coordinated, patient-centered care while reducing costs across the health care system.”
By 2016 nearly 3 million Minnesotans are expected to receive care through this model, which is preliminarily projected to save $111 million from Medicaid, Medicare and private sources over three years

I-94 Traffic Switch Complete Between St Cloud & Clearwater

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Both directions of Interstate 94 are reduced to a single lane on the westbound side of the interstate between Highway 24 in Clearwater and County Road 75 in St. Cloud as of 1:35 p.m. today. The switch is needed as construction crews begin resurfacing work on a 7.5 mile stretch of the busy interstate.

I-94 traffic will remain a single lane in each direction, head-to-head until early July, with the exception of Memorial Day weekend.

Motorists travelling I-94 between the Twin Cities Metro Area and St. Cloud should expect major delays in both directions of the interstate between Clearwater and St. Cloud. Traffic forecasts show initial backups could extend five to seven miles, with summertime backups of 20 miles or more possible during peak travel periods. The longest backups are expected for weekend travelers.

Motorists should plan alternate routes, allow extra time for travel and check www.511mn.org for real-time traffic information prior to travel.

When complete, the project will result in a smoother ride, improved drainage and reduced short-term maintenance costs on 7.5 miles of busy interstate.

For detailed project information, including current schedule, travel information and tips on navigating during construction, or to sign up for project email updates, please visit the project’s website: www.mndot.gov/d3/i94/.

Statewide traffic, construction and travel information is available at www.511mn.org,
or call 5-1-1.

MDA issues consumer advisory for Belgrade Meat Centers fully cooked smoked sausage products

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid consuming smoked pork and beef pepper sticks produced by Belgrade Meat Center, Belgrade, Minn., after routine product sampling discovered the products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

There are no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

The pepper sticks included in the advisory bear the lot number 318130 located on the back of the package, and Minnesota State Establishment Number 1157. Belgrade Meat Center sold approximately 20 pounds of the pork and beef pepper sticks at its retail store in Belgrade. The company is cooperating with MDA’s investigation. Consumers are asked to return packages to the retail store.

In addition, approximately 280 pounds of product was distributed under the Pastures A Plenty label. These products include:

§ Uncured smoked breakfast links lot number 311130 distributed to Linden Hills Coop in Minneapolis, and Whole Foods in Duluth. The products are also served at Bryant Lake Bowl, Café Barbette and Gigi Café all located in Minneapolis.

§ Uncured pork wieners lot number 311130 distributed to Seward Coop in Minneapolis, Mississippi Market at both the Selby Avenue and West 7^th locations in St. Paul, and at the River Market in Stillwater.

§ Uncured pork wieners and uncured smoked bratwurst both with lot number 318130 served at Natedog’s Mobile Food Cart in the Twin Cities metro.

According to MDA Dairy and Food Inspection Division Director Heidi Kassenborg, the contamination was first detected in a product sample collected during a routine inspection. MDA investigators are now working to determine the source of the contamination.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially serious disease marked by fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis, but it can sometimes cause fatal infections in infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis can also lead to miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Any consumers who believe they may have become ill after eating the product should contact their health care provider. For more details about the product, call Belgrade Meat Center LTD at (320) 254-8287 or Pastures A Plenty at (320) 367-2061.

Time to Check Your Sump Pump

Weather conditions have been dry for more than a year in parts of North Dakota, and sump pumps may not have run in a while.

However, with the heavy amount of snow still on the ground, the threat of flooding this spring means homeowners should check their sump pump now to make sure it works properly, North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineer Tom Scherer says.

Sump pumps are available in two basic models: upright (commonly called a pedestal) and submersible. Either works well with proper maintenance, according to Scherer.

This is how a sump pump works: The sump is the pit where the pump sits. The sump may be connected to tile that drains the footings of the house, the area under the entire basement or just the area where the sump is located. A sump pump removes the water that drains into the sump.

The pedestal pump's motor is on top of the pedestal and the pump is at the base, which sits on the bottom of the sump. The motor is not meant to get wet. A ball float turns the pump on and off. One advantage with this type of pump is that the on/off switch is visible, so you can see the ball float's action easily, Scherer says.

Submersible pumps are designed to be submerged in water and sit on the bottom of the sump. The on/off switch is attached to the pump.

Pumps have three main types of on/off controls. The first type uses a ball float attached to the pump and connected to an internal watertight switch. The second type is a sealed, tethered float switch with an on/off setting that is adjustable by changing the length of the tether. The third type uses a diaphragm to sense the water level and turn the pump on and off.

Both pump types should have a check valve on the water discharge pipe so water doesn't flow back into the sump when the pump shuts off. Backflow can cause the pump to turn on and off more frequently than necessary, which decreases the life of the pump.

Here is how to check the pump:

* Make sure the discharge pipe on the side of the house is not frozen shut or plugged and it directs water away from the house.

* Make sure the pump is plugged in.

* Remove the lid (if the sump has one) and use a flashlight to check if the sump is clean and the pump inlet screens are not plugged.

* Slowly pour water into the sump. Try to simulate the speed that water normally would flow into the sump. Watch the on/off switch's action and listen to the pump. Make sure the pump turns on and off at least twice. If something doesn't work or sound right, fix it as soon as possible.

If you have a battery-powered backup sump pump, make sure the battery is fully charged. Then shut off the power to the main sump pump and the battery charging system on the backup pump. Pour water into the sump until the backup pump comes on.

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about sump pumps:

Q: Can the pump burn out if the outdoor pipe is frozen shut or will it shut off automatically?

A: Most pumps will not burn up, but they can overheat. Almost all sump pump motors have thermal protection built in, but the submersible type needs water around the motor for cooling. If the pump overheats, shut it off and let it cool. The thermal relay will reset.

Q: What size pump should I have for my house?

A: There is no "correct" size. The horsepower is determined by several factors, including the length of drain tile connected to the sump, the lift from the sump to the discharge pipe and the length of hose or pipe outside of the house. A 1/3 horsepower pump works well for most houses, but if you have more than 40 feet of pipe outside the house, use a pump with more horsepower (1/2, 3/4 or even 1 horsepower).

Q: Do sump pumps have filters that need to be cleaned or replaced?

A: Sump pumps do not have filters, but they do have screens or small openings where the water enters the pump. These sometimes can be plugged.

Q: Can or should you pump into a sewer drain or basement floor drain?

A: No. If you have a septic system, do not pump sump water into the basement floor drain. During wet conditions, the septic system's drain field usually is saturated and struggling to handle the normal flow of water from the house. Adding flow from a sump can damage the septic system. Also do not pump water from the sump into a floor drain if you are connected to a public sanitary system. Putting additional water into the public sewer during flooding can contribute to sewage backflow.

Q: Where should the sump pump drain hose run?

A: Preferably, sump water should be discharged at least 20 feet from the house so it drains away from the house. Also, it should not be directed into a neighbor's lot, window wells or a septic system drain field.

Q: Can I replace a defective sump pump or do I need specialized tools or a plumber?

A: Almost all sump pumps come with a list of required tools and directions for installation. Replacing a sump pump should not be difficult for the "average" person.

For more tips on getting your sump pump ready to handle spring and summer water, watch an NDSU video at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/home/sump-pump-tips. Other information on this or other flood-related topics also is available on NDSU's flood information Web page at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/flood/.

MN Junior Duck Stamp Winners Announced!

Last month, 18-year-old Cassidy Haggard of Park Rapids, Minn. won best of show honors at the 2013 Minnesota Junior Duck Stamp Contest with her oil painting rendition of a Common Goldeneye. "Quack, quack! Pond Back!" was the winning conservation message submitted by 15-year-old Sophie Olund of St. Paul, Minn.

More than 400 entries were received and 100 winners were selected. Haggard's artwork along with Olund's message will advance to the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest to be held in April at the National Conservation Training Center, Shepardstown, WV.

Special Student honors go to 12-year-old Taylor Sue Rabehl of Wabasha, Minn. Her artwork will be the visual image for promoting the program for 2014. This year's recipient of the Minnesota Teacher Recognition was Kari Halker-Saather from St. Michael-Albertville Senior High School of St. Michael, Minn.

"Minnesota youth are sharing their artistic talents to conserve wildlife and educate others on the importance of our natural resources," said Mara Koenig, Minnesota Coordinator of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program.

Contest judges included Wildlife Biologist Tom Cooper, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Environmental and Outdoor Education Coordinator Jeff Lederman, MN Department of Education; Assistant Regional Director David Scott, Migratory Birds & State Programs, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Art Teacher, Mary Pat Simons and Wildlife Biologist Nick Rowse.

The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program is a dynamic educational program designed to spark youth interest in habitat conservation through science, art, math, and technology. Students in kindergarten through high school are encouraged to interpret the natural world through artistic expression. By providing a basis for participation in the Junior Duck Stamp Design Contest, the activities encourage students to move beyond simply "learning about" wildlife and wildlife art to testing their abilities as wildlife artists.

For more information on the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program visit: http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

Recommendations for health-related precautions now posted on MDH website

An ounce of prevention now could be worth gallons of cure later for private water well owners facing floods this spring, said state health officials today.

Heavy snowfalls this winter created the likelihood for flooding in certain parts of the state. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is advising well owners that private water wells contaminated with flood water can pose a health risk. MDH recommends that well owners take precautions before possible flooding and take corrective actions if their well is flooded.

MDH recommends well owners take the following steps if they think their well may become flooded:

• Store a supply of clean water before taking your well out of service.
• Disconnect the power supply for your well. If you need help, consult with a licensed well contractor or pump installer.
• If you have time, have a well contractor install a water-tight cap or cover on your well - temporarily replacing the regular vented well cap or seal.
• If you don't have time to have a professional install a watertight cap, clean off the outside of the well casing and cover the top of the well with a heavy-duty trash bag or some other form of heavy plastic sheeting. Secure the plastic covering with electrical tape or some other type of waterproof tape or strapping material. Do not use duct tape - it won't hold under flooding conditions.
• Be prepared to have your well disinfected and tested after the flood waters recede, if your well does become flooded. Installing a water-tight cap or securing a plastic covering won't eliminate the need for disinfection and testing, but it will help keep debris and sediment out of the well, and make the post-flood clean-up go more smoothly.
• If flood waters cover the top of the water well casing, water from your well should not be used for drinking or cooking until the floodwater recedes and the well is disinfected and tested. Until then, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth.

After the flood waters recede, if the water reached your well casing, assume your well is contaminated. You should take the following steps to make sure your well is safe:

• If your well was not protected prior to the flooding, have a professional well driller clean out any sediment and debris. Using your well pump to flush out the well could ruin the pump. A directory of licensed well contractors is available on the MDH website at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/lwc/.
• Disinfect the well yourself or have a well contractor disinfect the well. Disinfect the well using a chlorine solution before having it tested. Detailed instructions are available at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/waterquality/disinfection.html.
• After disinfecting the well and pumping out the chlorine solution, contact a MDH-certified testing laboratory about submitting a water sample. Tell the lab staff you need to have your well tested for coliform bacteria – or simply "bacteria." They will tell you what you need to do, and provide a bottle for the sample. To find a lab, contact your local health department, or go to: https://apps.health.state.mn.us/eldo/public/accreditedlabs/labsearch.seam.
• Be prepared to repeat the disinfection and testing process several times, if necessary, to ensure that your well is free of bacterial contamination.
• Don't drink water from your well until the lab has informed you that it is safe and free of bacterial contamination.

If flood water came within 50 feet of your well - but did not reach the wellhead:

• You may still want to have your water tested as a precaution.
• You should not need to disinfect your well before having it tested.

If flood water did not come within 50 feet of your well, you do not need to do anything and your well should be fine.

For more information about well safety and protecting your health during a flood, visit www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/emergency/natural/floods/.