Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001 Editor's note: Photos
of MPCA staff performing monitoring field work are available at
www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/photos.html Brainerd, Minn. -- As
part of the Clean Water Legacy Act passed by the legislature in
2006, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) will launch
a 10-year biological monitoring project throughout the state
this summer. The goal of the project is to assess the condition
of rivers and streams in Minnesota's major watersheds.
Biological monitoring measures and evaluates the condition of
rivers, streams and wetlands by studying fish, aquatic
invertebrates and plant life. Examples of aquatic invertebrates
include insect larvae, crayfish, snails, small clams, worms and
leeches. Fish are sampled with the aid of electro-shocking
equipment that temporarily stuns fish to allow for safe capture.
Biologists then identify fish species, weigh and measure, and
release them unharmed. Invertebrates are collected using hand-
held nets so species can be ide