Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/23/2021

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• Soils • Geology • Groundwater • Surface water resources • Natural areas, habitat and rare features • Open space and recreational areas • Potential pollutant sources The Rum River is the defining hydrologic feature of the LRRWMO, although many other lakes, ponds, streams, and wetlands are presented within the watershed. Information about the waters and other resources in the watershed is important as is affects and resource management priorities and decisions of the LRRWMO, its member cities, and other partners. This section of the Plan presents and discusses the priority issues to be addressed by the LRRWMO over the life of this Plan. As part of Plan development, the Board solicited input on issues relevant to the Lower Rum River watershed through a variety of stakeholder engagement and data review activities, including: • Public kickoff meeting hosted on June 26, 2019 • Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) issue identification meeting on August 28, 2019 • Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) issue identification meeting on October 29, 2019 • Analysis of potential 2011 Plan gaps (Gaps Analysis, see Appendix D) • Review of responses to the Plan notification letter With consideration for the stakeholder engagement and data review activities, the Board identified the following as the most relevant issues including: • Adverse impacts from stormwater runoff • Degraded water quality of lakes, streams, and rivers Additional water and natural resource issues that were identified as important: • Flood risk and water quantity issues • Excessive erosion and sedimentation • Integrity of wetlands, shoreland, and natural areas • Groundwater contamination In addition to natural resource issues, organizational and/or administrative issues were also identified during Plan development; these include: • Efficacy and efficiency of the LRRWMO permit program • Limited funding and capacity • Opportunities for increased education and engagement ES-2