Potential environmental contaminant issues at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge have been evaluated by the Twin Cities Ecological Services Field Office and the Refuge through the “Contaminant Assessment Process” (CAP). 

The CAP uses existing information to help identify and analyze documented and potential contaminant concerns which may affect Refuge resources, and provides recommendations for further actions to be considered within management goals for the Refuge.  No significant documented contaminant problems are identified at Sherburne NWR. 

CAP recommendations include further evaluation of water quality effects due to water level management practices, a study of potential exposure to contaminants from nearby power plant emissions, development of site-specific spill response protection strategies, and environmental education and outreach to influence watershed land use and development to protect water quality. 

The TCFO Environmental Contaminants Program uses CAP evaluations and Refuge Contaminant Investigations to provide National Wildlife Refuges in Minnesota the information necessary to prevent contaminant impacts to Refuge resources.