Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/23/2021

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include elevated concentrations of nitrates, arsenic, and the presence of pesticides) due to the lack of any required testing. Prevention of groundwater contamination through best management practices is critical. Once contaminated, groundwater may remain contaminated for long periods of time. Groundwater clean-up is expensive and technically complex, even when feasible. Increased public awareness of the importance of drinking water protection on the public's general health and well-being is critical to promote practices that protect the quality of groundwater. While the LRRWMO promotes infiltration as a preferred method of stormwater treatment, it may have negative consequences in areas with vulnerable groundwater resources. To protect these resources, the LRRWMO requires that infiltration practices be implemented with consideration of guidance provided by the MPCA in its NPDES General Construction Stormwater permit (2018, as amended) and MIDS guidance (2013, as amended). During the development of this Plan, the ACD identified groundwater protection education and increased understanding of groundwater quality and quantity as specific issues of concern. The MDNR also cited groundwater conservation as a priority issue and suggested potential LRRWMO roles in relation to groundwater. The CAC further identified SSTS management as priority issues related to groundwater contamination. The LRRWMO considered TAC and CAC input in the development of the policies, goals, and implementation actions to address groundwater included in this Plan. Since its inception, the LRRWMO permitting program has been the primary focal point of the LRRWMO's activities and means by which the LRRWMO pursues its goals. The program requires the review and approval of projects that disturb or alter an area of more than 1 acre. During Plan development, the TAC identified permit program efficiency as an issue. Member city staff met to discuss the efficacy of the permit program, consider potential updates to performance standards, and identify modifications to improve permitting efficiency. Concurrent with the development of this Plan, the LRRWMO is updating its permitting process to include separate permit applications for: • Wetland impacts • Stormwater management and erosion control The updated permit application also clarifies the sequence for review and coordination between member cities, the LRRWMO, and the LRRWMO engineer. The updates to the permit application and process should reduce city staff time spent coordination with applicants and ultimately reduce costs to implement the program. 3-8