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

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The Council shall support and plan for the sustainable use of water sources that focuses on the implications of increasing groundwater use including impacts to surface waters, wetlands, and ecological areas while ensuring that supplies of potable water are sufficient for the region's current population and projected growth. Implementation Strategies: • Collaborate with agency partners in developing and implementing Groundwater Management Areas, wellhead protection plans, review of water appropriation permits, and aquifer recharge projects. • Work with subregional work groups to define how desired groundwater levels will be established for those areas. • Establish work groups for subregional areas and lead discussions to address water supply limitations. • Provide technical and financial assistance to local governments and other partners on groundwater issues. • Facilitate discussions on groundwater use issues that transcend community boundaries. Planning for Regional Growth Policy on Serving the Urban Area: The Council will use the Water Resources Policy Plan to support and plan for sustainable water resources that protect public health, provide recreational opportunities, maintain habitat and ecosystem health and ensure that supplies of potable water are sufficient for the orderly and economical development and redevelopment of the metro area long into the future. A community's comprehensive plan is expected to accommodate the forecasts and to meet the densities specified in the Council's Thrive MSP 2040 plan. A community's comprehensive plan must include: • A water supply plan that is consistent with the Twin Cities metro area Master Water Supply Plan, the Department of Natural Resources plan requirements, and Council policy • A local surface water management plan that is consistent with Minnesota Rules Chapter 8410 and Council policy and does not adversely impact the regional wastewater system, and • A comprehensive sewer plan that is consistent with the regional wastewater system plan. Inconsistencies between the local plans and the Council's plans may result in the Council's finding that the community's plan is more likely than not to have a substantial impact on, or contain a substantial departure from, the metropolitan system plan, thus requiring modifications to the local comprehensive plan. Implementation Strategies: • Update the Twin Cities metro area Master Water Supply Plan, which provides the framework for coordinated water supply planning. 80