5.5. SR 08-06-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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The first step in this process is the Loading Assessment: identifying the land areas within the City where the land use has changed or will change. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS Work Scope PROJECT UNDERSTANDING As part of changes to the NPDES Phase II MS4 program, the MPCA selected Elk River and 29 other cities to modify their MS4 Permit SWPPPs to meet nondegradation standards for three parameters: · Average annual flow volume · Total suspended solids . Phosphorus The MPCA will consider a permittee to be in compliance with nondegradation rules if 1988 loading levels of storm water volume and pollutants (phosphorus and total suspended solids) can be achieved, either through existing facilities, programs and policies, or through proposed modifications. The 1988 baseline applies unless mitigating environmental, economic, and social factors make additional control measures unreasonable. Elk River must complete a Pollutant Loading Assessment and Nondegradation Report to meet these requirements. According to the schedule outlined in Part XI, Appendix E of the permit, Elk River's submittal is due on December 1,2007. Our work plan is rooted in our continued relationship with the MPCA and their willingness to listen to our recommendations' on how this work should proceed. In the interest of maximizing existing City resources and minimizing project cost, we propose a GIS-based approach for Elk River's loading assessment, as outlined in the tasks below. TASK 1: LOADING ASSESSMENT The first step in this process is the Loading Assessment: identifying the land areas within the City where the land use has changed or will change, with corresponding quantified changes in any of the three water quality parameters of concern listed in the permit. The loading assessment will begin with the delineation of drainage areas and physical land cover characteristics for three time frames: 1988, 2004, and 2020. Using GIS- based contour information and aerial photography, we will establish drainage boundaries and runoff conditions for each point in time. The draft permit does not set a scale for determining the changes in pollutant loading during the required time periods. Our proposed scale is to delineate drainage areas around evaluation points which are" public waters" wetlands as mapped by the DNR, wetlands larger than 10 acres that may not be on the public waters list, and lakes larger than 10 acres. Evaluation points also include discharges to public watercourses and * Bonestroo 5