Agenda - Council - 03/10/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2040 WATER RESOURCES POLICY PLAN SUSTAINING THE REGION'S WATERS, SUSTAINING THE REGION The Twin Cities metropolitan area enjoys a wealth of water resources. Our area boasts of 950 lakes and three major river systems — the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix. They provide valuable habitat, support natural ecosystems, and offer a wide variety of recreation opportunities. In addition to their natural features, our rivers serve as important waterways for transporting agricultural products and industrial goods. The region's extensive wetlands support our diverse plant and animal species, and filter pollutants from urban and agricultural runoff before it affects the soil and groundwater. A prolific groundwater system, in combination with surface water from the Mississippi River, supports our drinking water needs. Abundant, high-quality water plays a major role in advancing the region's economic prosperity, growth, and livability, and our region's infrastructure for water supply, stormwater and wastewater is crucial for managing this essential resource. Sustainability of our water resources is a high-priority issue as our region continues to grow and we put more demands on them. Compounding the situation, we find ourselves having to adapt to the effects of high -frequency and intense storms intermixed with periods of drought. Ensuring sustainable water resources requires a regional strategy that addresses a variety of needs and issues. The region's water resources must be managed and protected to meet our household, business and industrial needs; support aquatic habitat and wildlife; and provide aesthetic and recreational opportunities for all current residents and future generations. To achieve this goal, the Water Resources Policy Plan directs its attention to both the quantity and quality of our water resources. It includes policies and strategies to ensure a sufficient, sustainable water supply and to manage surface water runoff and our wastewater systems to protect water quality. The Council has prepared this Policy Plan under state law (Minn. Stat. 473.145) directing it to prepare a metropolitan development guide that includes a plan for the region's wastewater collection and treatment system, along with supporting policies, goals, standards, and maps. The Policy Plan is also prepared in response to Minn. Stat. 473.157 requiring the Council to adopt a water resources plan and federal requirements for a regional management plan to address pollution from point sources (such as treatment plant discharges) and nonpoint sources (such as stormwater runoff). When adopted by the Council, this Policy Plan will replace the current plan adopted in May 2005 with amendments in 2006 and 2010. The Role of the Council in Water Resources A wide range of governmental organizations are responsible for planning, monitoring and managing water resources in the region — from the federal to the local level. The extensive list of water resource partners includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Departments of Health, Agriculture and Natural Resources, local governments, watershed and conservation organizations, municipal water suppliers, and the Metropolitan Council. All serve important roles and, together, make possible a broad front of cooperative, coordinated planning and action on behalf of water resources in the region. 1