Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/02/2015

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Updated Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) City of Ramsey, Minnesota conditions. The preferred mitigation method is to encourage infiltration to duplicate the existing condition. This preference will bo inc rp rated into the development ordinanco revisions that will bo made to moot the roc mmondati ns f this SWMP. In addition to infiltration, the City will consider low impact alternatives and oversized regional retention basins to mitigate potential downstream flow changes. The City is -also preparediog a Wetland Management Plan along with this the 2008 SWMP that includes a function and value assessment of all wetlands in excess oft) acre in size. The Wetland Management Plan was adopted then rescinded by City Council. The requirements of the Wetland Management Plan are not being enforced: however, the data is available for review. The Wetland Management Plan requires the pretreatment of storm water from now dovol pmonts prior t discharge into any wetland. Vegetative buffers will also be included in the Wetland Management Plan and development rdinance. Buffer widths are pr posed to increase with higher quality wetlands based on the functions and values identified in the plan. The use f native vegetati n as buffers is pr posed f r medium to high quality wetlands. The current Ramsey Wetland Buffer Ordinance calls for buffers ranging from 5 to 50 feet. Ramsey currently has approximately 1,000 acres of wetlands. In contrast, the current Wetland Management Plan recommends a 25 foot buffer for Manage 2 and Manage 3 wetlands and a 50 foot buffer for Protect and Manage 1 wetlands. If an acres of easement area will be required. For comparison, approximately 1,250 acres of G. Adequacy of Existing Regulatory Controls , Tthe City of Ramsey believes it has adequate policies in place to self -regulate the anticipated growth without sacrificing its abundant water resources. In addition to its ordinances, the existing greater area regulatory controls of the LRRWMO, BWSR, the Metropolitan Council, the DNR, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anoka County, etc. are more than adequate to properly manage or mitigate adverse impacts on public waters and wetlands. The City must rely on the regulatory authority of Anoka County, the LRRWMO and the regional, state, and federal plans to monitor and control the runoff entering the City from outside its jurisdiction. The City understands that it will also need to address issues brought to its attention by these outside regulating authorities. The City is also concerned that the ordinance revisions, various permit fees and charges needed to fmance the proposed changes will adversely affect development in Ramsey. To ensure that Ramsey has an equal chance of attracting development, the City must rely on outside agencies and WMOs in the area to regionally enforce similar environmental requirements with comparable financing obligations. H. Adequacy of Programs The City of Ramsey believes that the BMPs promised in its City-wide SWPPP and MS4 permit are designed to adequately: 1. Limit soil erosion and water quality degradation 2. Maintain the tangible and intrinsic values of natural storage and retention systems Section VI February 20, 2015March 6, 2015 Page 51