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stormwater from a number of small developments to a subwatershed pond without the water <br />going through wetland areas. A related obstacle is how the stormwater from a number of <br />different developments is directed to a single ponding area. These obstacles require a <br />perspective on stormwater management that goes beyond individual projects. This may be a <br />good place to start in relation to a stormwater management plan. <br />Potential Fundin2 Source <br />From a financial viewpoint the new rule creates a potential new revenue source for addressing <br />water quality ponding needs on a wider scale than simply parcel-by-parcel. Because of the wide <br />extent of water quality problem areas in the city and the high cost of resolving them, this could <br />be a very important revenue source for the city. However, we can not take advantage of this <br />without some level of stormwater planning that at least enables the city to identify priority water <br />quality ponding needs that can be addressed by the construction of subwatershed ponding <br />facilities. An additional concern regarding the revenue is that although the rules currently <br />require a cooperative agreement between the MCWD and the city for this alternative to be used, <br />if the city does not position itself to enable this to happen there will be pressure by property <br />owners to allow this contribution to be made to the MCWD to fund regional facilities of the <br />MCWD’s choice. <br />Sediment Ponds Still Needed to Protect Wetlands <br />Current laws do not allow direct discharge of stormwater to wetlands, without it first being <br />treated. Because we have so many wetlands and so many small developments, it is likely we <br />will still need small ponds upstream of wetlands to collect sediment and debris. The MCWD <br />policy is that NURP ponds are necessary at least on a regional basis, so it is entirely possible <br />that a developer may still have to build small sediment ponds in addition to contributing toward <br />a regional stormwater facility. <br />Potential Issues <br />When will regional stormwater ponds be built ^ <br />The rule states that the developers contribution will be used for facilities within <br />the same subwatershed as his development. Orono contains parts of 9 <br />subwatersheds as identified by MCWD, portions of which are outside the city <br />limits. Will Orono accept the idea of regional facilities in the same subwatershed <br />but not necessarily within city limits? <br />Can a few critical sites for future facilities be identified and established without <br />getting into easement acquisition issues? <br />Without an interim plan and cooperative agreement for regional facilities, how <br />will development proceed? <br />Note that Rule B sets the developer contribution at $20,000 per acre foot of <br />required pond volume. Will this figure change in the future?