Orono Community Management Plan 2020-2040

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City of Orono Surface Water Management Plan February 2019 20 3.7 METROPOLITAN COUNCIL Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1967, the Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the Twin Cities, seven-county area. The Council manages public transit, housing programs, wastewater collection and treatment, regional parks, and regional water resources. Council members are appointed by the Minnesota Governor. The Metropolitan Council reviews municipal comprehensive plans, including this Surface Water Management Plan. The Council adopted the Water Resources Management Policy Plan in 2015, establishing the expectations to be met in local plans. The Council’s goals focus on water quality standards and pollution control, “to reduce the effects of non-point source pollution on the region’s wetlands, lakes, streams and rivers.” 3.8 STATE BOARD OF SOIL AND WATER RESOURCES (BWSR) The BWSR works through local government agencies to implement Minnesota’s water and soil conservation policies. The BWSR is the administrative agency for soil and water conservation districts, watershed districts, watershed management organizations, and county water managers. The BWSR is responsible for implementation of the Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act and the Wetland Conservation Act. Staff members are located in eight field offices throughout the state. First established in 1937 as the State Soil Conservation Committee, the agency became part of the University of Minnesota in the 1950’s, transferred to the Department of Natural Resources in 1971, and then transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 1982. In 1987, the State Legislature established the current Board of Water and Soil Resources. The Board consists of 17 members, appointed by the governor to four-year terms. Multiple state and local agencies are represented on the Board. In 1992, the BWSR adopted rules (8410), establishing the required content for Surface Water Management Plans. 3.9 MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY (MPCA) The MPCA is the state’s lead environmental protection agency. Created by the State Legislature in 1967, the MPCA is responsible for monitoring environmental quality and enforcing environmental regulations to protect the land, air and water. The MPCA regulates Orono’s management of wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste. The MPCA is the permitting authority in Minnesota for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. 3.10 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR) Originally created in 1931 as the Department of Conservation, the DNR has regulatory authority over the natural resources of the state. DNR divisions specialize in waters, forestry, fish and wildlife, parks and recreation, land and minerals, and related services. The Division of Waters administers programs in lake management, shoreland management, dam safety, floodplain management, wild and scenic rivers, the Public Waters Inventory (PWI), and permitting of development activity within public waters. 3.11 MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MDH) The MDH manages programs to protect the public health, including implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act. The MDH has regulatory authority for monitoring water supply facilities such as water wells, surface water intakes, water treatment, and water distribution systems. The MDH also is responsible for the development and implementation of the wellhead protection program. 3.12 MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD (EQB) The EQB is comprised of five citizen members and the heads of ten state agencies that play an important role in Minnesota’s environment and development. The EQB develops policy, creates long-range plans and reviews proposed projects that may significantly influence Minnesota’s environment.