Agenda - Council - 02/13/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Metro Local Wafer Management Task Force Repcrt December 15, '1989 the EPA expects the watershed and local plans to be an integral part of the solution to metropolitan water quality problems. "509" has provided many positive benefits: 1. Forum for locals to get together to avoid future problems; 2. Greater public participation in water management; 3. Direct water quality improvements; 4. Improved state-MC coordination on water quality issues; and 5. Refined plan content for watershed districts in the Metro Area. Mr. Jouseau reported that there have been some problems ~dth "509" planning and review. The MC has seen only 29 WMO plans to date. He said the plans are of mixed quality due to lack of expertise and direction. After a length), review process, the WMOs can be required to amend their plans by the BWSR. Mr. Jouseau believed that all the reviewers should have the authority to require changes. The portions of the WMO plans that have generally been weak are: the h~vdrologic sys- ~ tern inventories; the plan implementation strategies; ordinance reqmrements and capital improvement programs; and the standards, criteria and implementation schedules for local water plans. Water quality is clearly a purpose of the law, yet water quality elements are weak. Further improvements in water quality in Min- nesota must come from control of nonpoint pollution, but this can be done effective- !y only at the local level. Jouseau encouraged the Task Force to look closely at the ~ssue of the need to establish a mechanism to effectively make "trade-offs" between spending money on sewage treatment improvements versus nonpoint pollution con- trol efforts. During the Task Force deliberations Council Chair Steve Keefe described a proposal for water quality management that integrates planning for surface water quality and wastewater management. The Task Force did not vote on this proposal because it was outside the charge of the Task Force. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Metro Regional Hydrologist John Stine delivered MDNR's formal position to the Task Force. He statdd that WMOs have not developed strategies for managing and protecting sensitive and critical resources areas. He believed that some municipalities are so concerned with protecting their authority,, that the joint powers approach is often ineffective at addressing important resource ~ssues. Mr. Stine recommended that BWSR adopt rules to ensure that WMO and local plans are effective and consistent. Model ordinances should be developed to guide the WMOs. He also suggested that JPWMOs should be evaluated and, if necessary, upgraded to Chapter 112 authority to better ensure watershed management plan im- plementation. He recommended that ineffective ditch systems be abandoned, that public values and interests need to be more fully considered before ditch work is per- ormed, and that costs need to be more equitably distributed. He also su. ggested that landowners whose land drains into a ditch, pay for the benefits they receive. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Mr. Curt Sparks presented MPCA comments on metro local water management. He commented that the WMO Plans developed by consultants tend to become i Page 19