CCP 09-10-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I r I I I I I I .. I I I I I I I f' I Agriculture l~ still the predominant land use in ~ large portion of the seven county area and a major contributor of nonpoint source pollutants. Nonpoirt source pollution from agriculture OCCUrs as a result of intensive land cultivation and husbandry pr;1cticcs and ,hows up in three basic forms: soil erosion; agrIculture supplements such llS nutrients, pesticides and herbicide,; and animal waste products. Each of th~e source; fill are~ water bodies smothering aquatic life, changc the aquatic environment by limiting light penetration of the water, and result in "the transmission of torins to area water bodies. The T",in Cities Metropolitan Area is fortunate to have an abundance of Jokes and 'rive~. Thc,c wate: bodies provide the area with recreational, aesthetic and educationsl benefits envied by other parts of the United States. Preservation of these water bodies ~nd the associated wildlife habitat is a major component of the Council's planning framework. Measures to preserve and enhance lhc environment CRn be found in all of the. Council's major system and pOlicy plans. Policy 7 of lhe MDIF states that the Metropolitan Council: supports the"maintenance or environmental quality throughout the region and will support programs or strategies to mainlain or improve the natural environment (page 16). Reducing nonpoinl sourCe pollution to area water bodies has a number of positive outcomes. Reduced nonpoint .<aurce pollution has an overall positive effect on the environment, improves the watcr quality in lakes, wetlands and floodplains and allows [or fishable and swimable water bodies. Water resource management has historically focused on point sources such 3--\ wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities. Efforts to reduce poHution from point sources bas been effective. Nonpoint SOl.lr~ pollution abatement is the next chaHenge that must be addresscd to ensure that water bodies in this metropolitan area are protected. Existing Uglslutlvc Gild Polley Structure For Addressing the Nonpolnt Source Pollution Problem The Minnesota Legislature Two pieces of legislation have been passed in the Iasl decade that set a framework for addressing the nonpoinl source pollution issue. However, it will take several years to put this framework in place and will requirc local governments to extensively revise their surface water m~nagement plans and activities. Water;hed planning legislation In 1982 legislation Wa.< passed requiring Watershed Management Organizations (WMO) to preparc watershed plans that nddre.<.,ed watcr quality issues. Under this legislation each W1'v{O is to prepare a plan that st3les objectives and policies for water quality and identifies alternatives for improving water quality and mcthods of implementation. The.>e plans are to be reviewed by the Metropolitan Council "in the same manner ond with the same authority and effcct as providcd for the council's review of the comprehensive plans of lueal governmcnt unit," (Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.n 1 subd. 8 (l9<'ftJ)). The Council is required to determine wheth~r the water.;h~d plan conforms with the m"nng~"'~nt objectives and t~rg~t pollution loads stotcd in thc Council's watcr resourccs plan prepared pursuant to Minnesota Statutcs, section ~73.157.