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• Set forth an implementation program, including a description of official controls and, as <br /> appropriate, a capital improvement program. <br /> Local water plans also need to be consistent with the requirements of Minnesota Rules Chapter <br /> 8410 (Appendix C includes the local water plan requirements). <br /> Oversight of stormwater runoff from urbanized areas also happens at the state level. The <br /> municipal separate storm sewer systems or MS4 permit program is mandated by federal law <br /> and administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The primary goal of the MS4 <br /> permit program is to improve water quality by reducing the pollutants in stormwater that <br /> discharge into our lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers. All local public entities including <br /> watersheds organizations, cities and townships that own or operate municipal separate storm <br /> sewer systems such as curbs, ditches, culverts, stormwater ponds, and storm sewer pipes are <br /> required to get a permit that focuses on preventing and reducing the impacts of stormwater <br /> runoff on our lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers. This is in addition to local water plans that <br /> need to be prepared as part of the watershed management structure in Minnesota. <br /> More recently, the State of Minnesota adopted a watershed approach that includes how, when <br /> and where the organizations monitor, assess data, establish implementation strategies and <br /> implement water quality activities. With these data, the state is preparing watershed-based <br /> restoration and protection strategies for defined hydrologically based areas throughout the state <br /> of Minnesota. <br /> • • c , c <br /> The Council also has responsibilities for surface water management, planning and assessment <br /> in the region. The Council is in a unique position, through its comprehensive planning, <br /> watershed management planning review, and federally designated areawide water quality <br /> agency roles and responsibilities, to provide a regional perspective on water issues that <br /> transcend community or watershed boundaries in the metro area. The Council works closely <br /> with state agency and local partners in using the "watershed approach" to water management in <br /> the metro area. The Council also works with watershed organizations on plan development, <br /> review and implementation, as well as with cities and townships on the review of their local <br /> water plans. <br /> Policy on Watershed Approach: <br /> The Council will work with our partners to develop and implement a regional watershed-based <br /> approach that addresses both watershed restoration (improving impaired waters) and protection <br /> (maintaining water quality in unimpaired waters). <br /> Implementation Strategies: <br /> • Work with the watershed management structure in the metro area on issues that <br /> transcend watershed organization boundaries in order to prepare water management <br /> 14 <br />