Agenda - Council - 10/08/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The placement of an additional high capacity well in or near the DWSMAs or significant changes in current groundwater appropriations by existing wells could have an impact on the source water aquifer and local water supplies. Such changes could also affect the Ramsey WHPAs and DWSMAs or change the static water levels in the wells. The City will work with the MDH Source Water Protection Unit and the MDNR to identify proposed high capacity wells in the vicinity of the Ramsey DWSMAs and provide interaction, to the extent practicable, with the proposed well owner to minimize potential problems. To conserve valuable water resources and to mitigate, to the extent possible, drought impacts, the City limits use of water from the municipal water supply system for lawn and garden sprinkling and irrigation between Memorial Day and Labor Day to an odd -even schedule corresponding to property address. In addition, during this period no sprinkling is allowed between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. 4.2.2 Influence of Existing Water and Land Government Programs and Regulations As noted above, to conserve valuable water resources and address drought impacts, the City has controls on outdoor water usage. The City also provides water conservation information on their website and has a tiered billing structure for water use. These programs are designed to assist residents and businesses with water conservation strategies through incentives and educational information. Ramsey's stormwater management program is described in the City's Surface Water Management Plan (Ramsey, 2018b). In addition, the MDH has prepared a guidance document that addresses siting of stormwater infiltration basins within DWSMAs. The City believes that their existing plan and MDH guidance are sufficient to address stormwater within the city limits. County and city ordinances, the MDNR Division of Waters' appropriations permitting program, the MPCA's storage tank permitting program, the State of Minnesota Well Management and Drinking Water Supply Programs, State subsurface sewage treatment system (SSTS) rules, State rules regarding chemical handling and storage, and the U.S. EPA's rules regarding Class V wells will be relied upon for assistance in regulating the installation of new wells, the operation of wells, water appropriation permitting, the proper sealing of unused wells, proper operation and maintenance of SSTS, proper maintenance and operation of storage tanks, proper storage of chemicals, and addressing Class V wells. In addition, Ramsey is aware of and supports the low interest loan program offered by Anoka County Community Development and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's Best Management Practices Program that can be used for maintenance and sealing of wells. Ramsey believes that the current level of regulations and oversight by various governmental entities are adequate to address these issues. Land use control and land disturbing activities outside of the City of Ramsey will be governed by the local unit of government with jurisdiction in a particular area. This WHPP has been developed to protect the interests of the City of Ramsey and, to the extent practicable, to have no adverse effect on the plans and strategies developed for adjacent areas. The Metropolitan Council jurisdiction overlaps the Ramsey DWSMAs as does the jurisdiction of the Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization. The city of Anoka overlaps a small portion of the East DWSMA. This Plan will be provided to these other governmental units as a resource for future land development planning. Local ordinances and plans 13