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

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Working toward Sustainability using the Watershed Management Approach Focusing on the natural characteristics and functions of watersheds provides an essential tool for managing water resources. The watershed approach to water management is the concept of holistically managing our waters based on natural hydrologic boundaries in a defined geographic area. The Council's activities supporting watershed assessment and management provide value by targeting efforts to protect the region's natural environment, protect and improve recreational opportunities, offset impacts of wastewater treatment plant discharges, and protect drinking water supplies. The Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act, enacted in 1982, established comprehensive surface water management in the metro area, creating watershed management organizations and watershed districts with planning and management authorities. Currently, there are 33 watershed management organizations that are required to prepare and implement local watershed management plans to protect surface water resources in the seven - county metropolitan area. The organizations include watershed districts, watershed management organizations and county joint -powers organizations. These organizations use a holistic view and approach to managing the water resources and issues in their defined geographic areas. The watershed management programs required under the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act are intended to: • Protect, preserve, and use natural surface and groundwater storage and retention systems • Minimize public capital expenditures needed to correct flooding and water quality problems • Identify and plan for means to effectively protect and improve surface and groundwater q uality • Establish more uniform local policies and official controls for surface and groundwater management • Prevent erosion of soil into surface water systems • Promote groundwater recharge • Protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities, and • Secure the other benefits associated with the proper management of surface and groundwater. As part of the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act, all communities in the metro area are required to prepare local water management plans, often referred to as local surface water management plans or comprehensive water management plans in response to the watershed plans that they are part of. Minnesota Statutes requires local water plans to: • Describe existing and proposed physical environment and land use • Define drainage areas and the volumes, rates, and paths of stormwater runoff • Identify areas and elevations for stormwater storage adequate to meet performance standards established in the watershed plan • Define water quality and water quality protection methods adequate to meet performance standards established in the watershed plan • Identify regulated areas 13