Notes are occasionally drafted and posted under "Past Meeting Notes". Links to the web sites of group members as well as other polls and information from group members are also listed on separate pages.
Speakers: Ross Bintner, Prior Lake and Paula Kalinosky, Univ. of MN
Let's meet at 9:30 am to catch up. The presentation will start at 10 am.
Revised Nutrient Criteria for Streams
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 - The MPCA is in the process of revising the water quality criteria for creeks and streams in Minnesota. Join in to learn what this is likely to include and how this could impact your NPDES permit requirements.
Time: 10 am - 11:30 am Location: City of Eden Prairie, Heritage Room 3 Speaker: Joe Bischoff, Wenck Associates
Living Streets / Green Streets
Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - Cliff Aichinger from Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District will be speaking about their recent collaboration with the
City of North. St. Paul. They recently completed a Living Streets Plan (Green
Streets) which was recently approved by the City Council. The City and District are
beginning a feasibility study for a demonstration street (with a grant from the
Clean Water Fund and other local and District funds). The lead consultant for the planning process was Barr Engineering.
The primary motivation for the project is the reduction
in volume of runoff, but also incorporates other neighborhood benefits of
slowing traffic, increasing pedestrian and biking safety, expanding the urban
tree canopy, an improving neighborhood aesthetics. All streets would be
reduced in width and include rain gardens to capture at least the first 1” of
runoff. Since neighborhood street make up 80% of all streets and highways
in urban areas, this should go a long way toward reducing nutrient runoff.
Time: 10 am - 11:30 am Location: Capitol Region Watershed District headquarters, St. Paul, MN Speaker: Cliff Aichinger (RWMWD) and possibly Fred Rozumalski (Barr Engineering)
Jim Haertel from BWSR will also be providing a brief update on the status of updating their Water Planning
Rules. This includes Chapter 8410 and will set standards for approval /
disapproval of water management organization (WMO) and watershed
district (WD) plans.
Pollutant Loading from Ag Uses: How can we engage farmers to improve water quality?
Wednesday, March 17, 2010. - Join us for a brainstorming session on how to effectively engage the agricultural community to assist us in our efforts to improve water quality. Whether you recently completed a TMDL study, received a phosphorus load allocation from your watershed organization, or are just interested in brainstorming the best ways to engage the public in water resource issues, join us in March! We will discuss lessons we have learned and provide and evaluate examples of best practices that worked, or did not work. There a number of knowledgeable people coming to help lead the discussion, including the Hennepin Conservation District, Three Rivers Park District and the University of Minnesota Extension Service so please stop on by!
Minimum Control Measures (MCMs) 1 and 2 - Discussion and Exchange of Ideas
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 - The Stormwater Permit is now in the process of being updated for 2011. This would be a good opportunity to meet and discuss what we are doing for each MCM and how well they are working. What would we suggest for the permit re-write that would be an improvement? The plan is to start with MCMs 1 & 2 and then have additional meetings to discuss other MCMs individually. Sarah Stai from Ecosmith Consulting will be on hand to kick off the discussion with a presentation on incorporating the ideas behind social marketing into our stormwater permit program. Go to www.ecosmithconsulting.com for more information on the services she provides for environmental education.
Minimal Impact Design Standards--MN Takes the Lead
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Participants of the Mississippi River Forum kick-off workshop in April heard about how land use is impacting Minnesota's water resources. Consider this an update to that discussion! Earlier this year, Minnesota updated its approach to managing stormwater by passing legislation that directs the Pollution Control Agency to "develop performance standards, design standards, and other tools" to enable and promote improved stormwater management and better protect Minnesota's water resources. The result is MIDS - Minimal Impact Design Standards.
Come hear how the MIDS package will allow communities to adopt effective stormwater standards and techniques, meet regulatory requirements, and help Minnesota reach our clean water goals.
The speaker is Julie Westerlund, co-chair of the Low Impact Development Team of the MN Stormwater Steering Committee, which helped develop the MIDS project.
MN Rules 8410 Update
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - BWSR is in the process of updating their Water Planning Rules. This includes Chapter 8410 and will set standards for approval / disapproval of water management organization (WMO) and watershed district (WD) plans. They will also deal with plan contents, amendment requirements, local plan development, and how to approach non-implementation issues
City of Savage - McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - We will be heading to Savage in May to visit Savage's Environmental Learning Center and to learn about all the stormwater management techniques they have incorporated. The City built it with an eye towards LEED Certification too. After the meeting you can stay to tour the grounds which encompass 10 acres of woodlands, marshes and restored prairie - oak savanna. The "Big Woods" remnant and oak savanna offer a glimpse of pre-settlement conditions.
KARE-11 Quote: "Outside visitors will see rain gardens and an area of a buried geothermal field for heating and cooling the building. Inside? "A back splash made of what we call microstrand wheat," North Star Product Consultant James Bluhm said of the product his St. Paul company produces. Yes, there's Minnesota-grown wheat stock on the walls and cabinetry made of sunflower seed shells."
The City of Bloomington has recently completed a new educational video on water quality education for residents. They will be bringing a copy to show and to receive feedback from those who might be interested in receiving a copy.
In addition, TegraSeal will be coming to speak briefly about a new product they have developed. This is a super-absorbant material that can hold up to 1 gallon of water per square foot. It is used in green roofs, greenhouses, parks and medians among others. www.tegraseal.com
Stormwater Management at the NEW Gopher Stadium
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - SRF Consulting will be coming to talk about the EPIC stormwater management system they designed for the new Gopher stadium. They will also talk about other stormwater infiltration systems that they have worked on as a complement to this overall talk. Should be interesting!
MS4 Audits - What are they?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - Come listen and learn about audits and how they work. Prior Lake and Blaine both volunteered to undergo a MS4 audit and will be coming to speak on this topic. The MPCA intends to complete all audits over the over the next 5 years with a significant number done by the beginning of the next permit cycle (2011). That is a lot of reviews in a short time! There are now 2 Phase 1 (large) MS4 permittees and 233 Phase 2 (small) MS4 permittees.
Pond Treatment - What are the Alternatives?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - Drew Budelis from Lionheart Creek Consulting will be coming in to lead a discussion on pond treatment alternatives. What have you found that works? What have you tried that didn't work? He will also be discussing "SonicSolutions" for algae control. We will meet at the City of Blaine as they and the Coon Creek Watershed District are exploring the idea of placing a device in a pond to see how it works. If successfully implemented, we will be including a tour to go look at the pond.
Wading Through TMDLs and Municipal Stormwater Permits - What does it mean?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - A TMDL is starting or finishing that impacts your city. Now what? How do you incorporate the tasks into your SWPPP? Joe Bischoff from Wenck Associates will be presenting information and staff from the MPCA are planning on attending to answer questions.
