About the Watershed District5C6B0F6F-9658-418B-9297... · Public Law 566: Watershed Protection &...
Transcript of About the Watershed District5C6B0F6F-9658-418B-9297... · Public Law 566: Watershed Protection &...
About the
Watershed District1
Meet the Watershed
District
Our Organization
What We Believe
Our Numbers
Our History
Our Comprehensive Plan
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Meet the Watershed
District3
Who We AreWe are a special purpose, local unit of government, based on a drainage area of water.
We manage the water and related resources within 107 square miles of land that approximates the drainage area of Coon Creek and select drainage areas that drain to the Mississippi River.
We manage public waterways such as public ditches as well as wetlands and water quality; and we provide technical and financial assistance to local governmental units and private land owners.
We augment our work through partnerships with public and private agencies that help us prevent flooding and protect water quality, inform and educate the public and improve conditions at the urban/rural fringe. Our team also promotes sustainable, wise-use of the water resources within the District.
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When and Why was the
Coon Creek Watershed District
Established?Due to citizen petition, the State of Minnesota established
the Coon Creek Watershed District in 1959 to provide
drainage and flood control for the benefit of citizens
within the watershed.
In 1982 the Minnesota Legislature directed Watershed
Districts to broaden the management scope to address
the additional beneficial uses of water for the sustainable
and “provident use of water resources.”
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What does the Coon Creek
Watershed District do?1. Protect public health and safety
2. Provide for the sustainable use of water and related
resources
3. Prevent unacceptable damage to the water and
related resources
4. Balance economic development with:
a) The performance of the local hydrologic system
b) The well-being of present and future
generations
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Coon Creek Watershed District
Mission
To manage groundwater and the surface
water drainage system to:
prevent property damage,
maintain hydrologic balance,
protect water quality
for the safety and enjoyment of citizens,
and the preservation and enhancement of
wildlife habitat.
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How we are Organized8
Board of Managers
Development Regulation
Operations & Maintenance
PlanningPublic &
Government Relations
Water Quality
Administrator
District Organization9
District Organization
The District is divided into 6 programsAdministration
Involves the Board of Managers
The District Administrator implements the policies of the Board and oversees day-to-day operations
Development Regulation and Issue Management
Evaluates, permits, and monitors plans and programs affecting the water and related land resources of the District in an
orderly and informed fashion
Operations and MaintenanceAssists in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of the District public ditch system and water control
structures
Preserves the location, character, and extent of the ditch and conveyance system within the District
Planning
Coordinates the planning, prioritizing, and financing of District programs and activities
Public and Governmental Relations
Ensures that the continuing planning and management of the Coon Creek watershed is responsive to the needs and
concerns of an informed public
Coordinates policies and programs of the local, state, and federal government agencies to achieve consistency with the
watershed plan
Water Quality
Ensures that water is protected from contamination
Minimizes the harmful ecological, economical, and human health impacts of Aquatic Invasive Species
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Who are the people who work
for the Watershed District?
Our workforce has approximately 30
individuals, consultants and contractors who
reflect the full range of knowledge, skills and
abilities to handle the financial, engineering,
construction, education, biology and
chemistry involved in managing a watershed
such as Coon Creek.
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What We Believe12
What We Believe
1. Advocate an ethic of “wise use” in promoting the health, productivity, diversity and beauty of water and related land resources.
2. Listen to people and respond to their diverse needs in making decisions.
3. Protect, restore, and manage the watershed’s water and related resources so they best demonstrate the sustainable, multiple-use management concept.
4. Provide technical and financial assistance to private landowners and local governments encouraging them to practice good stewardship and quality land management in meeting their specific objectives and improve their water resources.
5. Help communities to wisely use the water and related resources to promote economic development and a quality environment.
6. Develop and provide scientific and technical knowledge aimed at improving the capability to protect, restore, manage, and use water and related resources.
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VisionIn carrying out the mission assigned by statute, Watershed District employees shall direct their efforts to achieving the following agency vision:
The Watershed District is recognized as a leader in the provident use of water and related resources using sound scientific principles.
The District is a diverse organization. All employees are respected, accepted, and appreciated for their unique and important contribution to the mission.
The District is an efficient and productive organization that excels in achieving its Mission. Responsibility and accountability for excellence are shared by employees and agency partners.
The people of the watershed can count on the District to perform.
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Guiding Principles
Watershed District employees shall seek to apply and exemplify the guiding principles set out in their professional conduct and in carrying out their assigned responsibilities by:
Using an ecological and hydrological approach to the multiple-use management of the Watershed
Use the best scientific knowledge in making decisions and select the most appropriate technologies in the management of resources.
Being good neighbors who respect private property rights.
Striving for quality and excellence in everything we do and are sensitive to the effects of our decisions on people and resources.
Striving to meet the needs of our citizens in fair, friendly, and open ways.
Forming partnerships to achieve shared goals.
Promoting grass-roots participation in our decisions and activities.
Valuing and trusting one another and sharing leadership.
Maintaining high professional and ethical standards.
Being responsible and accountable for what we do.
Recognizing and accepting that some conflict is natural and strive to deal with it professionally.
Following laws, regulations, executive direction, and legislative intent and being involved in the drafting, amending and interpretation of those laws and regulations as appropriate for the people and resources of the Coon Creek watershed.
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Our Numbers16
By the Numbers 68,500 acres of private and public land draining to the Mississippi river and managed by the District
$6,319,817,200 of damages if system completely fails
206.7 miles of storm sewer and pipe carrying stormwater to Coon Creek and the Mississippi River
178 miles of private ditch draining to Coon Creek
134 miles of public ditch and waterway; 46 miles of stream designated as Impaired for water quality
21,177 acres (31%) of public land which does not pay taxes
17,500 acres (26%) of wetland
16,901 acres (25%) of floodplain and floodprone land
16,202 aces (24%) of drainage dependent land
8,089 acres (12%) of impervious public highway and road producing runoff
1,383 acres of lakes
81 parks adjacent to or dependent upon surface water resources and their quality
18 State Endangered and Threatened species
2 Federally listed species
2 Regional Parks
1 State Wildlife Management Area
1 Regional Airport
1 National Award for repair project; 2 State awards for design and management
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Our History18
A History of Water
Management
Any account of the Coon
Creek Watershed District
must begin with the
European settlement of
Anoka County and the
efforts from 1885 to 1920 to
remove water from the
land to make it tillable or
habitable.
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Laws and Regulations
The Watershed District operates under Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Rules as well as the U.S. Code and the Code of Federal Regulations.
These laws govern our directives and policies on how we manage water and related resources.
Water Management and soil conservation covers a wide range of law governing how the Watershed District manages the resource.
Year Enacted Title
1887 Drainage Act
1935 Federal Soil Conservation Act
1937 Soil and Water Conservation Policy
1955 Watershed Law
1967 Pollution Control
1969 Floodplain Management Act
1969 Shoreland Management Act
1969 Water Pollution Control Act
1971 Environmental Rights Act
1972 Federal Clean Water Act
1973 Environmental Policy Act
1976 Environmental Coordination Procedures Act
1976 Public Water Protection and Inventory
1977 SWCD Cost-Share program
1982 Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act
1985 Comprehensive Local Water Mgmt. Act
1986 Reinvest in Minnesota – RIM Reserve
1988 Water Policy
1989 Groundwater Protection Act
1991 Wetland Conservation Act
2006 Clean Water Lgacy Act
2008 Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
2012 Comprehensive Watershed Mgmt. aka 1W1P
2014 Groundwater Surface Water Impacts
2015 Buffer Strip Legislation
2015 Metroplitan Water Management Act Changes
2015 Wetland conservation Act Changes
2016 Nondegredation/Antidegredation Impact Rule
2016 Tiered Aquatic Life Use Standards (TALU) Rules
2016 Water Quality Standards Reclassification
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Landmark LawsDrainage Act of 1887: Authorizes the construction and maintenance of drainage systems.
Watershed Act of 1955: Authorizes the establishment of a special purpose unit of government with taxing and regulatory authority to comprehensively manage water and related resources.
Metropolitan Water Management Act of 1982: Requires comprehensive water management on a watershed basis. Emphasizes planning and prevention of flooding and water quality problems.
Wetland Conservation Act of 1991: At the request of the cities within the watershed assumed responsibility for administering the act and pursuing no net loss in the quantity, quality and biological diversity of the District's existing wetlands.
Federal Clean Water Act- Special Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Designation of 2004: The District is designated an MS4 in 2004 by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and must comply with the requirements of the NPDES-MS4 Program to develop and implement the six minimum criteria to achieve compliance with the program.
Federal Clean Water Act – Impaired Water Designation of 2006: District is informed that select reaches under its jurisdiction do not meet Federal and State water quality standards and the District must develop and pursue development and implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL).
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Public Law 566: Watershed
Protection & Flood Prevention ActThe Coon Creek Watershed District was born of the post world war II effort to modernize and revolutionize American agriculture. In 1954 Congress passed Public Law 566 (P.L. 566).
Major objectives of this program include reducing flood damages and erosion/sediment damages and improving water quality and agricultural water management. Watershed planning involves hydrology, engineering designs, ecological effects and economic evaluations.
PL-566 projects are initiated by local communities through the Soil and Water Conservation District to the Soil conservation Service and then must be approved by the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission.
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Watershed Work Plan
In July 1958 the Soil Conservation Service published a work plan for the Coon Creek Watershed.
The plan was designed to:
1. Reduce floodwater damage on and provide better drainage outlets.
2. Propose a five-year program for protection and development of the watershed.
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History 1887- 1918 Ditches within the District are constructed
1953- Federal Watershed Protection & Flood Prevention Act (PL-566) passed
1955- Minnesota Watershed Act Passed
1958- Petition filed to establish Watershed District
1958- Federal PL-566 Assessment and Work Plan published
1959- Coon Creek Watershed District Established
1982- Metropolitan Water Management Act (MWMA) enacted
1988- First MWMA Comprehensive Plan approved by BWSR
1991-Wetland Conservation Act passed – District asked to be LGU
2003- Designated an MS4 under the Federal NPDES program
2005- MPCA designated Coon & Sand Creek as Impaired
2007- MS4s required to manage for “non-degradation” of waters
2012- Coon Creek merged with part of Six Cities WMO (adds 15 square miles including impaired waters + unmaintained system)
2014- District directed to conduct a Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS)
2016- Federally approved Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) water quality standard
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History of District Size
80
85
90
95
100
105
110
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015
Sq
ua
re M
ile
s
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What the State Legislature is
Requiring of Us
DNR
Drainage Law
Receive Petitions
Operate and
Maintain
Protected Waters
Administer Protected
Waters Rules if DNR waives jurisdiction
Floodplain Management
Culvert Sizing
More Precise
Floodplain Elevations
Floodplain Modeling
Wildlife
Threatened & Endangered
Species
(T&E)
Nuisance Wildlife
Aware of T&E Species
Can’t issue a permit until DNR issues a taking permit
Suppose to deny
application that have
T&E Species
Ground Water
Ground Water Protection
Areas
Ground Water Dependent
Surface Waters
BWSR
Watershed District
Oversight
Comp Planning
Operate &
Maintain
Public Involveme
nt
Regulation
Metropolitan Water
Management Act
Comprehensive Planning
Regulations to implement
plan
Operations & Maintenance
Public Information, Education & Involvement
Monitoring of water quantity
& quality
AIS
Wetland Conservation
Act
Review & Approve:
Delineations
Sequencing
Replacement Plans
PCA
Water Quality Standards
Comp Planning
Monitoring for
compliance &
exceedance
Storm Water Planning &
Management
6 Minimum Control
Measures
Ground Water
Well Head Protection
Areas
Drinking Water Supply
Watersheds
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What Congress is Requiring
of Us
Federal Clean Water Act
Federal EPA - Water Quality
Minnesota PCA
Storm Water, Water Quality Impairments, WRAPS
NPDES
MS4 Designation &
SWPPP Requirement
Minimum Control Measures
1. Public Education & Outreach
2. Public Involvement & Participation
3. Illicit Discharge detection & Elimination
4. Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control
5. Post Construction Run-off Management
6. Pollution Prevention
Impairment Designation
Coon Ck
Pleasure Ck
Sand Ck
Stoneybrook Ck
Non-degradation Standards & Rule apply to land uses
within 1 mile of impaired water
WRAPS
Contract
Water Quality Monitoring
Water Quality Standards & Preliminary
Capital Projects
TMDL
Load Allocations
Amended Plan, Rule and CIP to achieve water quality goals
COE
Wetlands
Property Owner
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When did they Ask?28
Summary 9 years of improving farm land/contributing to flooding in urbanizing areas
1959 District established
24 years cleaning ditches (1959 to 1983) with an eye on flood control and drainage
8 years (1983 to 1991) cleaning ditches and accounting for other water resources (quality, lakes, flood control)
12 years (1991 to 2003) of cleaning ditches, accounting for other resources, and managing Wetlands
4 years (2003 to 2007) managing drainage, wetlands, and the water quality and flooding impacts of stormwater
6 years (2007 to 2013) managing drainage, wetlands, storm water and ensuring waters with impaired quality are not further degraded
3 years (2013 to 2016) managing drainage, wetlands, storm water, water quality and crafting a standard unique to the different parts of the watershed (WRAPS & TMDL)
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Comprehensive Plan30
Coon Creek Watershed
District Comprehensive
OverviewThe Coon Creek Watershed
District (District) is 107 square
miles in size.
The District is located entirely
within Anoka County and
includes parts of seven cities.
2 Types of Goals1. Mission Goals
Are the primary focus of District programs and activities.
Distill the various legislative mandates as they apply to the
watershed.
2. Issue Goals
Are issues facing water resource management in the
Coon Creek Watershed.
Strategic Plan
Mission Goals
1. To prevent property damage from flooding, erosion or degraded water quality.
2. To ensure balance between inflow, outflow and storage of water.
3. To ensure that water is protected from contamination.
4. To provide for a variety of beneficial uses including the safety and enjoyment of the watershed's residents.
5. To preserve and enhance wildlife.
Goal 1
Prevent Property Damage
1. Damage to life and safety
2. Structural Damage
3. Functional or Operational Damage
Goal 2
Ensure Hydrologic Balance
Nine variables influence the water balance of the watershed:
1. Drainage area
2. Disposition of land uses
3. Total precipitation
4. Total loss to evaporation
5. Total streamflow
6. Changes in soil moisture storage
7. Changes in groundwater storage
8. Changes in depression storage
9. Groundwater flux
Goal 3
Protect Water from Contamination
Resource Amount Unit
Streams and
Ditches 250 Miles
Deep Lakes
(>12 Ft) 347 Acres
Shallow Lakes &
Wetlands (<12
Ft) 15,508 Acres
Trout Lakes 29 Acres
GOAL 4
Provide for Beneficial Uses of Water
1. Drinking Water
2. Aquatic Life and Recreation
3. Industrial Consumption
4. Agriculture and Wildlife
5. Aesthetic Enjoyment And Navigation
Issue Goals
1. Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
2. Changes in Precipitation
3. The decline in surficial Groundwater
and the effect on Groundwater
dependent resources
Immediate Concerns and
Priorities
1. Preventing flooding.
2. Improving water quality in impaired or
impacted waters.
3. Maintaining and enhancing water
quality in waters that are not impaired.