2015-02-11 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Forth & East Metre Groundwater Management Area Pian innesota may be touted as the land of 10,000 sparkling lakes, but in some areas it's the unseen, underground waters that are drawing increasing attention. In the north and east metro region, for instance, a growing population, increasing demands on groundwater, and areas of aquifer contamination could pose problems for the area's water supplies, and its valuable lakes, streams and wetlands. This has led DNR to propose a groundwater management area for the north and east metro, and to draft a plan that will guide DNR efforts to make sure groundwater supplies remain adequate. The area The proposed North and East Metro Groundwater Manage- ❑ Improve DNR's support for better water conservation ment Area would include all of Ramsey and Washington by all users. counties, southern Anoka County, and a small portion of Hennepin County east of the Mis- Ll Improve DNRreducing groundwater 's role in red sissippi River. It features a rich contamination. variety of groundwater-related I Wyoming ❑ Improve DNR's ability natural resources, including trout to prevent well interfer- streams, lakes, and wetland com- Forest Columbus ' ences and resolve water plexes that are home to rare plants Ham Lake S.nd'a use conflicts. and animals. The Metropolitan Council projects that by 2030, Coon -- LJ Improve DNR's ability Rapids to ensure com liance water use within this area may ""°° y Blame p �' increase 20 percent over average ,F; � i with groundwater use reported from 2008 to 2012. p permit requirements. DNR responsibility Thero osed North and East � �, StillwaterSeekingfeedback p p Leke �r 1 Metro Groundwater Management _ ��. Ren e��na a �; Area plan lays out objectives Maplewood -N The DNR has worked with and actions aimed at achieving Minnaa,�s ` _ St Paul baktlal an advisory team of 21 the overall goal of ensuring thatj =r stakeholders over the past groundwater use remains sustain- Woodbury i year to create a reasonable ��_ able.That's a complex challenge A°00 five-Year framework for requiring the efforts of many Bbo.Von f ' �r groundwater management �°agaGove in the north and east metro entities. But under Minnesota law, 3i Eagan area.Now it's seeking feed- DNR has primary responsibility ,_ .��-� . back on its proposed plan. and authority for groundwater — - c� OT^ P p P management.Therefore the plan "aaD°ga Thdraft plan for the North focuses on what DNR can and - - — Norlh&East Men GWMAWorkmThe p g Boundary County Boundary and East Metro Ground- will do over the next five years. water Management Area is Action items available on the DNR website at: The draft plan commits DNR to the following actions: www.dnr.state.mn-us/gwmp/area-ne. ❑ Improve DNR's monitoring of water use and ground- Comments can be submitted through March 31,2015,to: water resources and make this information more NEMetroGWMA.dnr@state.mn.us. widely available. ❑ Improve DNR's management of groundwater permits, A short survey is available on the project website, or at: and its participation in municipal water supply plan- www.surveymonkey.com/s/ne-metro-gwma. ning. 104