Agenda - Council - 02/26/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Currently, as pointed out in Item 17 of the AUAR, there is no discharge from the RTC site to the Mississippi River. Revisions within Item 17 in the AUAR document and the added Appendix J discuss the means that are proposed to handle runoff from the RTC site under some new drainage area and outlet assumptions. Negotiations on outlet alignment/character and further consideration of outlet options continue. The discussion of the drainage system does not include details on the specific BMPs that will be introduced into each block as they are constructed. The AUAR document looked instead at the overall need to address drainage under high flow conditions, and route that water such that flooding problems do not occur. This approach is required by the LRRWMO. Follow-up implementation of BMPs to enhance infiltration, filtration and detention will be a design detail that will likely lead to additional reduced runoff. Appendix J was developed after the release of the draft AUAR document in response to discussions with the County about the nature of the drainage outlet from TH 10 to the River. Details on runoff minimization BMPs will be an element of design as the project develops. Please refer also to responses for Comments #3, 7.13 and 12.10. The comment on outflow elevations is acknowledged. Comment 7.4: The document accurately indicates that DNR Water Appropriation permit No. 85-6005 will need to be amended as additional wells are added to increase the municipal water supply due to the added development. It also mentions that monitoring of the surficial aquifer is recommended to determine more accurately whether there is an effect on the water table by withdrawals from the Franconia -Ironton -Galesville aquifer. Some form of monitoring will likely be a requirement of the permit process. The statement of page 13-8 that the "wetlands in question experience natural drying during periods of low precipitation. The photographic history... shows wetland in the vicinity of the RTC site disappearing during the mid to late 1980s, which is prior to the development of the municipal wells. This same phenomenon occurs again in the mid to late 1990s and prior to the installation of wells 4 and 5" contradicts the statement on page 12-4 that "...photographic analysis showed that for the period 1981 through 1996, the acreage of wetlands remained fairly constant. Beginning in 1997, however, the acreage of wetlands visible on the aerial photography declined sharply." Response: The discussion in "Groundwater -Surface Water Interaction and Wetland Impacts" in Item 12 has been modified to address the comments. Comment 7.5: The document lacks discussion of water conservation in the new development. The DNR would like to know if "low water use" landscaping would be used to minimize irrigation, as well as whether flow restrictors, watering bans, or other water conservation measures will be promoted. Response: To reduce peak water usage in areas served by the municipal water system, the City of Ramsey has implemented an odd/even day sprinkling ban, pursuant to City Code 4.40.06 subd. 10. Residents may water on odd numbered days if your address ends in an odd number, and on even numbered days if your address ends in an even number. The sprinkling restriction includes no watering between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. since a significant amount of water is lost due to evaporation during the hot portions of the day. Homeowners with automated systems are strongly encouraged to program them to 34-9