Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Elk 1-(11L ._, Rive? MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan Update Task Force FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Technician DATE: October 23, 2002 SUBJECT: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Did you know that land disturbances from construction increases the natural rate of soil erosion 20,000-40,000 times that of undeveloped property? Also,construction site erosion contributes an estimated 80 million tons of sediment in the U.S.surface waters each year. Over time,this runoff can damage entire river systems. Sedimentation also destroys fisheries, reduces recreational opportunities,and creates health risks. Topsoil loss from agricultural areas reduces productivity of farmland,eventually resulting in increased costs for food and dairy products. Sooner or later,these • problems will require taxpayers to bear the burden of costs to dredge harbors and navigable river channels,to clean clogged sewer systems,to repair flood damage,and to increase treatment of water supplies. Storm water runoff is generated from all impervious surfaces(built areas).In site design(both new and redevelopment)there are many opportunities to both reduce the amount of storm water runoff and improve its aesthetic value. The Clean Water Act was amended in 1987 to require implementation of a comprehensive national program for addressing storm water discharges. Phase I of the program required large and medium size Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems(MS4's)communities serving populations of 100,000 or greater (Minneapolis and St. Paul) to obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and to develop and implement programs and practices to control impacted storm water runoff. Phase II of this program is expanding by requiring small (MS4's) to obtain coverage under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit and to develop and implement programs and practices to control impacted storm water runoff. Small MS4's are defined as any city that was not a large or medium MS4. This coverage must be obtained by March 10,2003 and will require all development impacting more than 1 acre to obtain a NPDES permit. Jay Michels from the Minnesota Erosion Control Association has been invited to give a presentation informing land use decision makers about the relationships between land use and water resource protection. The presentation will be held at the Elk River City Hall located at 13065 Orono • Parkway and is scheduled to start around 6:30 p.m. on November 12, 2002. A brochure has been attached giving an overview of what Jay will be presenting.