Ramsey Resident - 2004 - May/June

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4 STORM WATER The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated the program for regulating storm water discharges. The program is called National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase 2. Phase 1 concentrated on medium and large municipalities Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4s) and construction sites that disturbed more than 5 acres. It has been in effect since the early 1990's. The phase 2 rules included smaller cities MS4s and construction sites that disturb more than 1 acre. Each state had to implement the program. Minnesota's program was implemented in 2003. Ramsey meets the criteria for the smaller MS4. Ramsey prepared a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) and filed it with the state on March 10, 2003 in compliance with the state requirements. The plan outlines the steps the City will tal(e over the next five (5) years to monitor and improve the storm water system in the City. All of the storm water from the City discharges to the Mississippi or Rum rivers. Both rivers are on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) list of protected waters. New storm sewer connections to both rivers will be limited, ponding and other water quality treatment measures will have to be applied to these new connections, when permitted. The City will also be responsible for monitoring and improving the existing storm sewer connections to the rivers. The first year report has been filed with the state. These are some of the highlights of the first year. . Completed aerial mapping of the entire city. This information is available to staff, residents and developers. There is a fee for large tracts. . Inspected all of the storm sewer connections to the rivers. Photos were taken and needed repairs were noted. Public works crews made the necessary rep aIrs. . The recycling day has been in existence for several years. It was included in the SWPPP since it helps clean up the city and removes potential sources of pollution. Residents are encouraged to call Leonard Linton, Civil Engineer at City hall 433-9834 if they have questions or concerns about storm water or the storm sewer system. WHERE CAN I RIDE My RECREATIONAL MOTOR VEHICLE? The term recreational motor vehicle is used to describe AII- Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), Off-Highway Motorcycles (OHMs), and Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs). In the City of Ramsey, you may ride recreational motor vehicles on your own land, on private land with the landowner's permission, and on public lands that are open to recreational motor vehicles. Land uses vary, so be sure to check federal, state, and local ordinances for details. You may NOT ride a recreational motor vehicle: . on the median of a four lane highway. . within the right-of-way of an interstate highway . on the right-of-way between opposing lanes of traffic . in most state parl(s, state recreation areas, state historic sites, wildlife management areas with the exception of posted trails . in a tree nursery or planting area . on state forest lands posted or designated closed to motorized uses . on agricultural land . along or on the roadway, shoulder, side banl( or slope of a public right-of-way. In addition, off road motorcycles cannot be operated in ditches. ATVs A driver's license is required to operate an ATV anywhere on road rights-of-way, including ditches, inside and outside slopes, and crossing roads. The only exception would be for those portions of a designated trail that include a road right-of-way. Any person under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. Youth age 12 to 15 may operate ATV s on public lands with a DNR safety certificate. (See DNR website for more information.) All ATV s must be registered with the DNR, even if they are to be used exclusively on private property. You may NOT drive an ATV within the right-of-way of a state or county road from Aprill to August 1 in the agricultural zone (south of State Hwy 23). OHMs A driver's license is required to operate an OHM on a public roads, and the motorcycle must be licensed for road use. A driver's license is also required to operate anywhere on road rights-of-way, including ditches, inside and outside slopes, and crossing roads. A driver's license is not required on designated trails when the trail specifically includes the road right-of-way. Any person under the age of 18 must wear a helmet. Youth age 12 to 15 may operate off- road motorcycles on public lands with a DNR safety certificate. (See DNR website for more information.) Continued on Page 5 I've learned. . . That just one person saying to n1e, ((You've n1ade n1Y day!" lnakes my day.