Suspect’s Fingerprints Found in Minnesota Stormwater Ponds; May Be Throughout US
MPCA staff sampling sediment pond in South St. Paul, MN. Photo by Judy Crane. The State of Minnesota has found the fingerprints, chemical fingerprints, of a suspected pollutant, coal tar pavement sealants in several Minnesota stormwater ponds. Most likely these same fingerprints would be found in much of the United States and Canada where coal […]
Positive Progress Reported at 2nd Great Lakes Coal Tar Sealant Reduction Webinar
Recently the State of Minnesota hosted the second of three webinars which reviewed sealant studies in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and efforts made in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to reduce sealant use. Here are some of the notable highlights: consistent findings of the PAH levels and watershed contributions from coal tar sealants by independent […]
Minnesota Gearing Up for Phasing Out Coal Tar Sealants
As you may know, earlier this year the State of Minnesota passed a law banning the sale and use of coal tar pavement sealants. The new law goes into effect January 1, 2014. In order to prepare for this transition, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is hosting a free webinar to explain the details […]
A Mississippi River’s Perspective of Minnesota’s Coal Tar Ban
from the Minnesota Master Naturalist MINNESOTA COAL TAR SEALANT PHASE-OUT LEGISLATION PASSES In a major victory for water quality and public health, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill phasing out the use of coal tar sealants in Minnesota. Effective January 1st 2014, the sale and application of coal tar sealants for asphalt-paved surfaces will be […]
Big Day for Coal Tar Sealant Legislation in 4 States; Minnesota Quietly Passes Nation’s Second Statewide Coal Tar Sealer Ban
In case you missed it, May 23, 2013 was most likely the busiest day in the history of coal tar sealant legislation. At least 3 states took action on bills and a fourth may have committed to study it further. Minnesota Yesterday the Governor of Minnesota signed into law the Omnibus Legacy Bill that including […]
2nd State Ban of Coal Tar Sealant Nears as Minnesota Legislature Acts!
Today Minnesota’s House and Senate voted to pass a ban of coal tar pavement sealants. If signed by the governor in the next two weeks, Minnesota would become the second state in the United States to pass a ban of this product. The bill is part of a larger bill called the Omnibus Legacy Bill […]
Minnesota’s Statewide Ban of Coal Tar Sealants Clears the House
Late last Friday the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the $538 million omnibus legacy finance bill (HF 1183). One of the amendments to the bill is a the statewide ban of coal tar sealcoats. After vigorous floor debate on other elements of the legislation, the measure passed 70 to 55. The amendment was offered by […]
A Legislator’s View of Minnesota’s Proposed Coal Tar Sealant Ban
Legislation for another state ban of coal tar pavement sealants has now been introduced by the State of Minnesota. This is the third ban of its kind currently being considered in the US during this legislative season. Earlier this year, bills were introduced in New York and Michigan. To date, there hasn’t been a lot […]
Minnesota Paving Way for Safer Seal Coats on Asphalt
Sealed Asphalt Play Area Common Throughout the US Photo by Tom Dills ©2006Dill_Pixels Used with Permission The following article is a good summary of the excellent work currently going on in Minnesota from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Waterfront Bulletin for March 2013: In spite of recent wintry weather, summer maintenance season is fast approaching for […]
Renewed Calls For Statewide Ban of Coal Tar Sealants in Minnesota
The Rice Creek Watershed District is shown in the colored areas above. In spite of efforts throughout the State of Minnesota, calls continue for the uniform outlaw of the use of coal tar pavement sealcoats. For example in November a watershed management of group covering 4 urban and rural counties called for “a state-wide approach” […]