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Implement Green Infrastructure <br />The Elk River watershed spans 613 square miles and has <br />suffered from high levels of pollutants in the past. Since <br />1994, roughly 275 water improvement projects have been <br />conducted on the watershed. Better water quality has <br />been recorded in both Lake Orono and Elk Lake over the <br />last 10 years, however these water bodies still exceed <br />the threshold for what the State considers a safe level <br />of bacteria. Water is an integral part of the city's identity <br />and keeping it clean, safe, and accessible should be a top <br />priority. Impervious surfaces related to urban development <br />within the watershed are a major cause of pollutants such <br />as oil, metals, lawn chemicals, pet waste and other pollut- <br />ants reaching surface waters especially in extreme rainfall <br />and storm events. <br />To reduce the runoff of pollutants into the Elk River water- <br />shed the city should consider implementing development <br />standards for all new subdivisions that incorporate green <br />infrastructure design. Green infrastructure design strate- <br />gies include, but are not limited to the following: <br />• Utilize low impact design best practices to minimize <br />runoff and manage stormwater onsite; <br />• Pervious pavement on sidewalks, streets, and driveways; <br />• Planted medians and parkways with curb cuts to collect <br />water runoff; <br />• Use non -chlorine (road salt) snow and ice control; <br />• Fertilizer application control; <br />• Bioswales and raingardens to collect and naturally filter <br />water before it enters the watershed. <br />Example: green stormwater infrastructure <br />38 <br />IDICL\arri76*1SMAIMAVE9701wo <br />Housing Plan • Elk River Comprehensive Plan <br />