2004-08-19_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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Nt t N N E S O, T A 7~~rEE t~ 2~ DEPARTMENTov HEALTH Proteetin~ maintaining and improving the health ofall Minnesotans June 23, 2004 Mr. Jeffrey Roessler Chairman, Grass Lake WMO City of Shoreview 4600 North Victoria Street Shoreview, Minnesota 55126 Dear Mr. Roessler: Subject: Watershed Management Plan I am writing on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to encourage your organization to collaborate with public water suppliers in your area to help prevent and mitigate contamination to drinking water supplies. The MDH administers the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, in which public water suppliers (PWS) are required to develop wellhead protection plans. Part of the process involves delineating the groundwater "capture" areas and subsequent drinking water supply management areas (DWSMA) of public water wells. Managing potential contaminant sources within a DWSMA is a concern for public water suppliers. In some instances, a municipality may not have complete jurisdiction to control land uses within their DWSMA. It is especially important in these instances for the PWS to have cooperative partners to provide aid in implementing measures to protect groundwaters. The MDH commends your organization for working to protect and properly manage the surface and groundwater resources within your jurisdiction. While efforts to address flooding have historically been a primary goal of a Metro area watershed management organization, today's water resource management should also include policies and goals that address groundwater and related drinking water issues. The l:ZDH tivo~uld life, y:,ur ~rgar~izatio~ to consider adding the following ~oundv~°aterr oriented goals or objectives to your current planning activities and, if possible, to coordinate your planning process with local public water suppliers. The proposed objectives include: ® Provide an awareness to the public of the importance of drinking water protection for the general health and well-being of the populace. Address storm water management in the geologically vulnerable portions of drinking water supply management areas. This should include the development of specific performance standards for storm water controls based on the vulnerability of the groundwater recharge areas of public water supply wells. • Support source water/wellhead protection planning for all public water supplies within your watershed. This should include identification, by reference, of all public water suppliers within the watershed and inclusion of specific DWSMAs or wellhead protection areas as they become known. In addition, the MDH would encourage your organization to acknowledge your role in General Information: (651) 215-5800 ®TDD/TY1': (651) 215-8980 • Minnesota Relay Service: (800) 627-3529 • ww~v.health.state.mn.us For directions to any of the MDH locations, call (651) 215-5800 • An equal opportunity employer