Orono Community Management Plan 2020-2040

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City of Orono Surface Water Management Plan February 2019 15 CITY OF ORONO – SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN 3 Regulatory Setting This section describes the City’s current stormwater management programs and practices and the agencies and organizations having roles in the City’s stormwater and surface water management activities. 3.1 STATE-WIDE REGULATION NPDES MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEM (MS4)PERMIT Since 2003 Orono has operated its stormwater management program under a permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). This permit is called the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) Permit and authorizes Orono to discharge stormwater to waters of the state under certain conditions. Under its permit coverage, Orono must implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) to addresses the MS4 Permits six minimum control measures, as listed below: 1) Public education 4) Construction site runoff control 2) Public involvement 5) Post-construction runoff control 3) Illicit discharge detection and elimination 6) Pollution prevention in municipal operations The City’s SWPPP contains several Best Management Practices within each of the listed control measures. These were identified using a self-evaluation and input process with City staff. Many of the goals and policies discussed in this local surface water management plan are directly related to requirements listed in the NPDES program. As a result, the implementation section of this plan references items listed in the City’s SWPPP. Additional information regarding the City’s SWPPP can be found at the following location: http://www.ci.orono.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={9F03E94A-D39F-4B40-BEFC- DDE3E263F6CF}&DE={BD839B37-D57F-4DF0-971B-7B79283E9450} IMPAIRED WATERS AND TOTAL MAXIMUM DAILY LOADS The Federal Clean Water Act requires states to establish water quality standards, to test surface waters, and formally list those as "impaired" that do not meet the water quality standards. Subsequent sections presents more detail on the impaired waters program and its relationship to Orono's stormwater management program. A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study is the next step for an impaired water, although it can be delayed years after identification of the impairment. The TMDL study can result in very specific water quality obligations for Cities. Once the TMDL Study is accepted by the MPCA, an Implementation Plan must be developed, and MS4 Cities must develop an approach to meet the obligations identified in the TMDL Study. Currently, several water bodies located partially or entirely within the City boundary are listed as impaired, and three different TMDL Studies and Implementation Plans have been completed. The Minnesota State Mercury TMDL addresses impairment due to high levels of mercury. The Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Chloride TMDL address impairment due to high levels of chlorides. The Upper Minnehaha Creek Watershed Nutrient and Bacteria TMDL address impairments due to high levels of nutrients and bacteria. Impaired waters in Orono, or those receiving discharge from Orono, are summarized in Table 2.3. Orono will reduce pollutant loading to address impairments outlined in TMDLs via their Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) inspection and enforcement program, by means of constructed stormwater management facilities, and through their street and storm sewer maintenance program. Additional