Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/15/2018

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Relationship to Mississippi River TMDL One water quality element of note in the mitigation plan is the need to reduce the negative impact of a discharge to an impaired water under the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program. The Mississippi River through the City of Ramsey has been listed on the MPCA recommended "303d" list as impaired relative to fecal coliform, PCB and mercury. The PCB and mercury programs are regional in scale and are the subject of regional MPCA and USEPA remediation programs. The discharge of storm water high in fecal coliform, however, is something that the City will need to address. The implementation of nonpoint source pollution control BMPs does not necessarily assure the reduction of fecal coliform. The process for setting a TMDL includes the initiation of a formal study that results in recommendations for control of the pollutant causing the impairment. MPCA has not yet begun this study for the impaired Mississippi River reach; however, once this study begins (currently scheduled for 2004-2006), the City will cooperate to the best of its ability with the MPCA to reduce the input of fecal coliform to the River. The MPCA study is currently underway and it includes the reach in Ramsey. Currently Ramsey is not scheduled to receive a waste load allocation as the reach is classified as a protection watershed. This could change based on future monitoring. The City will continue to cooperate to the best of its ability with the MPCA to reduce the input of fecal coliform to the River. Item 18 Mitigation element. Both the wastewater flows and the projected loadings from the COR development can be effectively transported and treated by the MCES system. In addition, future development and resulting flows are within the range of those estimated in the City's 2001 Comprehensive Plan, as amended in 2002. Therefore, it does not appear that there is any cause for specific remediation actions. A 30-inch sewer main is recommended to serve the COR. As noted earlier, it will be necessary for the City to update its Comprehensive Sewer Plan, following discussion with MCES on increased allocated capacity. In addition, it will be important to measure and test the wastewater flows from the new development on a periodic basis. This will allow the City and MCES officials to monitor the characteristics of the wastewater generated by the development over time and to address any future unforeseen changes. The 2030 Comprehensive Plan update includes an update to the Comprehensive Sewer Plan to address these issues. The City has updated the Comprehensive Sewer Plan. Results indicate that there is sufficient capacity in the City's system to accept the wastewater flow from The COR. Item 19 Mitigation Element. The high permeability of the soils at the Town Center are ideal for the implementation of infiltration practices that will manage stormwater runoff, provide flood control and recharge the water table aquifer. However, the high permeability also increases the risk for potential contamination of groundwater resources. In order to mitigate this risk, best management practices (BMPs) and community education programs will be implemented. This activity has occurred and will continue to occur. Item 20 Mitigation Element. To decrease the amount of solid waste generated within the City, Ramsey maintains the following policies as stated in its 2001 Comprehensive Plan: • Work with the Anoka County Integrated Waste Management Department to develop and implement programs that contribute to waste reduction, resource recovery, recycling and limited landfilling; • Continue to support curbside recycling of reusable waste materials through educational events, promotional events, and volunteer efforts; • Research grants and funding programs through federal, state, and local organizations that support the —Three R's (reduce, reuse, and recycle); and Alternative Urban Areawide Review Update The COR (formerly Ramsey Town Center) City of Ramsey, MN Landform Project No. RAM12015.000 7