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Metropolitan Agencies <br />4-FRegionalWaterSupplyPlanning <br />TheMetropolitanCouncilis statutorily authorizedtocarryoutregionalplanningactivitiesto <br />address watersupplyneeds ofthemetropolitanarea.AMetropolitanAreaWaterSupply <br />AdvisoryCommittee (MAWSAC)thatincludes state agencyrepresentativesandlocalofficials <br />was established toassisttheCouncilindevelopingamasterwatersupplyplanthatincludes <br />recommendations forclarifyingtherolesoflocal, regionalandstategovernments,streamlining <br />andconsolidatingapprovalprocesses andrecommendingfutureplanningandcapital <br />investments.TheMasterWaterSupplyPlanservesas aframeworkforassistingcommunitiesin <br />theirwatersupplyplanning,withoutusurpinglocaldecision-makingprocesses.Manycitiesalso <br />conducttheirownanalyses foruse inwatersupplyplanning. <br />As the Metropolitan Council continues its assessment of the regionÓs water supply and water <br />sustainability,itmustworkcooperativelywithlocalpolicymakers andprofessionalstaff <br />throughouttheregiononanon-goingstructuredbasis toensureabaseofinformationforwater <br />supplydecision-makingthatissound,credibleandverifiable,andconsiders localinformation, <br />data,cost-benefitanalysesandprojections before anypolicyrecommendations areissued. <br />MetroCitiesencourages theMetropolitanCounciltoconsidertheinter-relationships of <br />wastewatertreatment,stormwatermanagementandwatersupply. Anystateandregional <br />regulationsandprocesses shouldbeclearlystatedintheMasterWaterSupplyPlan.Further, <br />regional monitoring and data collection benefits should be borne as shared expenses between the <br />regionalandlocalunits ofgovernment. <br />MetroCitiessupports MetropolitanCouncilplanningactivitiestoaddress regionalwater <br />supplyneeds andwaterplanningactivitiesasprescribedinstatute.MetroCitiesopposes <br />the insertionoftheMetropolitanCouncilas anotherregulatorinthewatersupplyarena. <br />Further, while Metro Cities supports regionally coordinated efforts to address water <br />supply issues in the metropolitan area, Metro Cities opposes the elevation of water supply <br />to ÐRegional SystemÑ status, or the assumption of Metropolitan Council control and <br />managementofmunicipalwatersupplyinfrastructure. <br />Metro Citiessupportsthe technicaladvisory committee totheMAWSACthatmaximizes <br />participation by municipal officials and helps to ensure sound scientific analyses and <br />models are developed with local expertise and input, before legislative solutions are <br />considered. <br />Metro Cities supports efforts to identify capital funding sources to assist with municipal <br />water supplyprojects.Anyfeesortaxesforregionalwatersupplyplanningactivitiesmustbe <br />consistentwithactivitiesprescribedinMinn. Stat.§473.1565,andsupportactivities <br />specifically withintheregion. <br />4-GReviewofLocalComprehensivePlans <br />In advance of the next comprehensive planning cycle, the Metropolitan Council should work <br />with Metro Cities and local officials to address challenges and concerns identified by city <br />officials with the 2018 comprehensive planning process and undertake any necessary <br />2022 Legislative Policies <br />45 <br /> <br />