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Pk ~.. ~ ..~._..e <br />.~ - ~ ~ ~ <br />~. <br />a, a . I <br />~ - <br />,, <br />~ - _~ <br />~ <br />The primary pollutant of <br />concern in urban lakes is <br />phosphonts. This pollutant <br />enters lakes from the watershed <br />through stormwater, which <br />contains fertilizers, yard waste, <br />and other organic materials. <br />There are also internal sources <br />of phosphonts, such as lake <br />sediments and aquatic plants. <br />Excess phosphonts results in <br />Increases in nuisance <br />summer algae blooms <br />i Decreases in water <br />transparency, or clarity <br />Shifts in fish species from <br />desirable game fish to <br />nongame species <br />The results of a RWMWD shtdy <br />(?005) found that residential <br />streets, driveways, and <br />sidewalks, as well as freeway <br />right-of-ways and railroad <br />right-of-ways, account for more <br />than half of the total annual <br />phosphonts loading to the <br />r <br />District's surface waters. <br />~~ Exotic invasive plants and <br />large amounts of sediment can <br />also contribute to water quality <br />problems. <br />- -_ - ~-- <br />Poor w. u~ ~ ~, ~ ~ ~r ity rs often indi~_~ : << d <br />by nzisance algae growth-the <br />rpszrlt of excess plzosphortts in a <br />lake. <br />Page 5 <br />GOAL: PROMOTE QUALITY SURFACE WATER <br />ACHIEVE HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS <br />PROVIDE FOR FLOOD CONTROL <br />SUSTAIN QUALITY GROUNDWATER <br />EDUCATE AND INVOLVE CITIZENS <br />MANAGE ORGANIZATION EFFECTIVELY <br />Future water quality improvements will require the involvement and action of <br />property owners, including residents, businesses, and builders/developers. This <br />creates a strong demand for a comprehensive watershed education program that <br />reaches multiple target audiences with multiple educational messages. <br />The RWMWD will carry out the following tasks in an effort to protect and <br />restore the quality of the District's water resources: <br />• Complete, or assist in completing, total maximum daily load (TMDL) studies, <br />as needed <br />• Complete and implement SLMP studies or other water quality studies <br />on Round Lake (Maplewood), Round Lake (Little Canada), Twin Lake, <br />Wakefield La1ce, and Willow Lake <br />• Implement water quality studies-Phalen Chain of Lakes SLMP, Carver Lake <br />SLMP, Beaver Lake SLMP, and Battle Creek Lake Watershed Management <br />Plan (see Part LB. of the Resource and Organizational Assessment) <br />• Continue water quality montoring to assess lakes, streams. and watershed <br />outlets, and to measure project performance (see Part ILA. of the Resource <br />and Organizational Assessment) <br />• Expand water quality monitoring to assist local communities with National <br />Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal <br />Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) permit requirements to detect illicit <br />discharges to stormwater systems <br />• Implement and maintain long-term monitoring and research for on-site water <br />management techniques constructed at the RWMWD office building site <br />• Identify gaps in knowledge related to the water quality of RWMWD managed <br />lakes and streams and proceed with appropriate actions to address these gaps <br />• Assist ill funding research specifically targeted to challenges within the RWMWD <br />• Keep RWMWD staff current on new and im~ovative techniques for water <br />resource management <br />• Continue aggressive maintenance of RWMWD improvement projects <br />• Expand RWMWD collaboration efforts with cities and counties to assist in <br />the implementation of appropriate technologies and maintenance practices for <br />improving water quality <br />• Expand use of innovative water quality improvement products, equipment, <br />and methods as necessary to address sites with limited land area for <br />conventional treatment techniques <br />• Continue implementing and updating the RWMWD permitting program <br />• Incorporate the new RWMWD standards into the District's permitting program <br />• Encourage' individuals to implement water quality improvement practices at <br />their homes, businesses, and public places <br />• Develop and implement methods/programs for measuring, tracking, and <br />reporting progress towards achieving water quality goals <br />Ramsey-Washington Metro ~7r Distri~ <br />