Bridge Replacement, Winona County – 401 Water Quality Certification

We invite you to comment on the draft 401 Water Quality Certification for the 85J57 Bridge Replacement in Winona County.

The Winona County Highway Department proposes to replace a bridge (85J57 – SAP 085-597-006, CP 1313) along a tributary to the Middle Fork Whitewater River. The existing crossing, a 16-foot span by 20-foot-long concrete slab span bridge, will be replaced with a single embedded 16-foot span, 5-foot rise, and 40-foot length concrete box culvert. A total of 40 linear feet of riprap will be placed at the inlet and outlet of the proposed culvert. Total impacts for the proposed bridge replacement are 80 linear feet of tributary to the Middle Fork Whitewater River.

A 401 Water Quality Certification is required when an individual, business, or property owner proposes construction-related activities near a navigable lake, river, stream, or adjacent wetland. The MPCA reviews projects to ensure they will not violate Minnesota's more protective water quality standards. The 401 certification becomes an enforceable component of the associated federal license or permits issued under the Clean Water Act.