04-22-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT for discussion purposes only and subject to Board approval and the availability of funds. Resolutions are not final until approved by the Board and signed by the Board Secretary. Orono LWMP Summary: The City of Orono (City) has submitted its LWMP for MCWD review and approval. District staff reviewed the LWMP and provided detailed comments regarding the goals and requirements of the District’s Plan for consideration and incorporation into the LWMP. The City of Orono is entirely within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and partially located within four subwatersheds including Painter Creek, Gleason Lake, Long Lake Creek, and Lake Minnetonka. Significant water bodies partially or fully located in Orono include Long Lake, Tanager Bay, Stubs Bay, Forest Lake, and West Arm Bay, which are listed on the States Impaired Waters List. Within Orono and its subwatersheds, the District Plan has identified water resource issues of excess nutrients, degraded aquatic plant communities, and degraded, disconnected corridors caused by altered wetlands, common carp, stormwater runoff, internal phosphorus loading, and water quality from upstream water bodies. Strategies identified to address these issues and drivers generally include wetland restoration, carp management, and restoration of upstream water bodies. Through the City’s LWMP and 2040 Comprehensive Plan Land Use Plan, the City emphasizes its commitment to protection of the City’s wetlands and natural resources, recognizing their important role in watershed health and protecting Lake Minnetonka. The City’s LWMP notes that Orono’s goal of preserving water quality can only be accomplished by maintaining the basic integrity of the natural watershed. A system stressor noted in the City’s LWMP is development. Drainage system maintenance and regulation are implementation strategies identified in the LW MP to mitigate water resource impacts from new development. The City recognizes that implementation of these strategies and others may expand outside City boundaries and will require a partnership-driven approach with the MCWD, Long Lake Waters Association, and neighboring Cities. Through the required coordination plan, Orono endeavors to coordinate preservation of key conservation areas as part of land use and zoning decisions. Further, Orono expresses desire to partner with MCWD on exploring opportunities to better understand its drainage system, and better predict and mitigate downstream stormwater impacts from planned drainage system improvements and infill development. Other systematic touchpoints identified to promote early coordination on key initiatives and regulation are summarized as follows:  Annual meetings to discuss potential land use changes on the horizon, regulatory activities, capital improvement planning and Big Island Nature Park operation, maintenance and management  Regulatory coordination regarding construction site inspections, Wetland Conservation Act activities and implementation of MCWD Rules  Continuing to be an active partner in the Long Lake Creek Subwatershed Partnership The City has not proposed to acquire implementation authority for any MCWD water resource regulation and concurs that the MCWD will continue to apply its erosion control, stormwater management, floodplain alteration and wetland protection rules, as well as other MCWD rules, within City boundaries and has proposed that the District retain Local Government Unit status for the Wetland Conservation Act. The City’s coordination plan is attached, and the full LWMP can be found at: Orono LWMP - click here Recommendation: Staff has verified that the LWMP meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes §103B.235, Minnesota Rules 8410.0160, and the MCWD Watershed Management Plan and recommends approval. Attachments: 1. Orono Coordination Plan 2. Orono Location Map