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Resources, the National Park Service, and the Metropolitan Council. State shoreland rules <br />(Minn. Rules 6120.2500-3900) provide statewide standards that local governments must adopt <br />to manage development along lakeshores to protect lake quality. The Wetland Conservation Act <br />is implemented through local land use controls with oversight from the Board of Water and Soil <br />Resources. <br />Groundwater Resources <br />While the Mississippi River supported the initial development of the region, plentiful groundwater <br />accommodated the region's outward growth. Increasing reliance on groundwater over time, <br />however, has become a significant issue. In parts of the region, groundwater levels are <br />declining, as described in the Special Features section of this document. In some cases, it is <br />affecting, or has the potential to affect, lake levels. A pressing concern is the impact that future <br />development might have on the reliability of groundwater as a water source. Considerations of <br />impacts to our groundwater resources is important during the planning and development <br />processes to ensure that we are not negatively impacting our resources and that we are taking <br />advantage of opportunities to recharge our groundwater where those opportunities exist. <br />Managing Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems <br />There are approximately 75,000 individual subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS) as <br />well as several more private community systems serving clustered developments in use within <br />the region. Both individual and community systems largely serve portions of the region where <br />wastewater collection and treatment is not available. The Council's intent is to work with local <br />governments to ensure that SSTS do not cause surface or groundwater quality problems in <br />areas where collective sanitary sewer service is not available. <br />The Council will continue to employ its review authority under the Metropolitan Land Planning <br />Act to ensure that local governments that permit the construction of individual and private <br />wastewater treatment systems, demonstrate through the comprehensive planning process that <br />they have the capability to ensure that these individual and private systems are operated <br />effectively within the standards required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Local <br />communities must incorporate current MPCA regulations (Minn. Rules Chapters 7080-7082) <br />into their local ordinances and programs for managing subsurface sewage treatment systems. <br />Council Role <br />• Collaborate and convene with state, regional, and local partners to protect, maintain, and <br />enhance natural resources protection and the protection of the quality and quantity of the <br />region's water resources and water supply. <br />• Work to maintain and improve the quality and availability of the region's water resources <br />to support habitat and ecosystem health while providing for recreational opportunities, all <br />of which are critical elements of our region's quality of life. <br />• Reduce inflow and infiltration in the regional wastewater collection system. <br />• Require proper management of subsurface treatment systems (SSTS), consistent with <br />Minn. Rules Chapters 7080-7082, to minimize impacts on surface water, ground water, <br />and public health. <br />• Assure adequate and high quality ground and surface water supplies to protect public <br />health and support economic growth and development by promoting the wise use of <br />DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Last revised: February 21, 2014 71 <br />