Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/02/2009

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Water Supply: . Legislative reports prepared by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Sustainability of Minnesota' s Ground Water - Statement ofIssues and Needs, June 2005) and the Metropolitan Council (Water Supply Planning in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, January 2007) have suggested that groundwater resources in middle and northern Anoka County may not be sufficient to support extensive, long-term growth. The Met Council report includes the statement "municipalities typically make water system investments and conduct resource evaluations on a local level without consideration of regional implications." The report includes a Water Supply Adequacy Analysis for the City of Ramsey indicating: high to moderate aquifer yield; some limitations to groundwater withdrawal; high demand projections; and "uncertain" adequacy oflocal water supply (Appendix F: Water Supply Adequacy Analysis, Water Supply Planning in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Technical Report, January 2007). The Anoka County Comprehensive Plan (1998-2020) indicates that there is a need for additional groundwater information to determine the extent ~fpotential risks (including exceeding the safe yield of groundwater resources). Regardless ofthe projections of water resources adequacy - we believe that the city must address the emerging issue of sustainable water supply in its comprehensive plan. . Pages 9-1 through 9-5: The Water Element chapter provides little information regarding the city's water supply and distribution system except to reference a Water Supply Plan. The amended City of Ramsey Water Supply Plan (no date) states that the city is exploring the feasibility of using the Mississippi River to meet future water demands. We recommend this section include a discussion of the city's initiative to investigate its options to establish a sustainable water supply that may include utilizing the Mississippi River. . The city is currently preparing Part 2 of its municipal wellhead protection plan. We recommend including a discussion of wellhead protection planning efforts to protect the city's water supply system: from pollution. .' Environmental Protection/Resource Management: . The Environmental ProtectionlResource Management chapter does njJt discuss the issue of sustainable water supply that the city currently is addressing in its strategies. Specifically, the plan does not explain why the city is exploring options other than groundwater for municipal water supply (strategy 3b); why monitor groundwater quality and quantity for long-term sustainability (strategy 3d); and why the citywill continue to participate in the North Metro Water Supply Group (strategy 3f). We recommend that this chapter be revised to present the water resources protection and management issues that are discussed in the strategies. . The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has indicated concern that the city's 80