Public Hearing - Rebecca Haug, Water Resource Manager
Title
Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP)
Executive Summary
Since 2003, the City of Blaine has been required to hold an annual public meeting on or before June 30, to fulfill the requirements of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and federal regulations under the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the annual meeting is to inform residents on the activities conducted by the city over the past year to be compliant with the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) and allow for public input on the city’s program.
Background
For the past few years, to engage with more residents, this public meeting/comment period has been held during the Green Expo, the Blaine Farmer’s Market and stand-alone meetings held at City Hall. Since these options are not available this year, due to COVID-19, the meeting requirements of the program will be at the council meeting.
The notice of this meeting has been published in the local paper for the past 30 days allowing residents the opportunity to provide input on the city’s SWPPP, which can be reviewed on the city’s website under the Engineering Department link.
“Stormwater” means stormwater runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface runoff and drainage. (Minn. R. 7090.0080, subp.12 <https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/?id=7090.0080>.)
Goals for Stormwater Programs:
1. Managing stormwater as a resource;
2. Preserving and utilizing existing natural features and systems;
3. Managing stormwater as close to the source as possible;
4. Sustaining the hydrologic balance of surface and ground water;
5. Disconnecting, decentralizing and distributing sources and discharges;
6. Slowing runoff down, and not speeding it up;
7. Preventing potential water quality and quantity problems;
8. Minimizing problems that cannot be avoided;
9. Integrating stormwater management into the initial site design process; and
10. Inspecting and maintaining all best management practices (BMP).
City of Blaine Storm Sewer System
The city has a complex storm sewer system designed to collect, store and treat stormwater. There are 111 miles of ditch (~48 private/ ~63 public); more than 10,000 inlet structures (catch basins, cb manholes, manholes; more than 2,800 outlets (Flared End Section ((FES) and outfalls); more than 300 skimmers, baffled weirs, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) baffles, and preservers; approximately 215 miles of underground pipe; and approximately 700 man-made ponds (~ 88 private/~ 600 public).
Minimum Control Measures
There are 6 Minimum Control Measures (MCM) that are required to maintain the city’s stormwater system and meet the goals of the stormwater program.
The 6 MCMs are:
1. Public Education
• Distribute educational materials and perform outreach activities to inform the citizens on the impacts of stormwater runoff
o City newsletter
o City website
o Utilize materials and programs from watershed districts
• Partnerships with:
o Anoka Conservation District
o Anoka County Water Resource Task Force
o Coon Creek and Rice Creek Watershed Districts (WD)
o Metro Watershed Partners
o Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition
o St. Cloud State University
2. Public Participation
• Provide opportunities for citizens to participate in program development and implementation
o Annual Meetings
o Public Meetings on stormwater projects such as the Pleasure Creek Biochar/Iron Enhanced Sand Filter
o Looking for additional ways to involve the public
3. Construction Site Management
• Develop, implement and enforce an Erosion and Sediment Control program for all construction activities
o Bi-annual builder meetings in cooperation with Coon Creek Watershed District
o Quarterly email reminders to builders
o Year round inspection of construction sites - coordinated with the watershed districts (Rice Creek WD & Coon Creek WD)
4. Elimination of Illicit Discharges
• Non-stormwater discharges and illegal dumping to the storm sewer system
o Oil, fuel, chemical spills; excess irrigation, etc.
o Discharges from business and industrial locations
o Dumping of household waste (paint, cleaners, etc.)
• Create map of storm sewer system - ponds, pipes, ditches, outfalls, wetlands, structural devices
• Develop, implement and enforce a program of detecting and eliminating illicit discharges to the system
5. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping
• MS4 Activities
o Inspect all structural devices annually
o Inspect 20% of outfalls and stormwater ponds annually
• Maintenance and repairs based on inspections
• General Program Activities
o Staff training
o Park and open space maintenance
o Fleet and building maintenance
o Regular street sweeping
o Reduce pesticide use
o Chloride reduction
o Hazardous material management
6. Post Construction Best Management Practices
• Develop, implement and enforce a program to address discharge of post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and re-development sites
• City and watershed district stormwater management ordinances requiring:
o Ponds
o Structural devices
o Rain gardens
o Other best management practices (BMP)
Highlights from 2020:
• Construction of a building to store the city’s street sweepings until they can be screened;
• Installation of Stormcrete Panels at the Public Works facility paid for through a grant from the Coon Creek Watershed District;
• Installation of the Bio Char/Iron Enhanced Sand Filter on the southern end of the Pleasure Creek pond system to remove phosphorus and e.coli. The system was paid for through grant funding from Clean Water Fund Watershed Based Funding and a partnership with the Coon Creek Watershed District
• Dog Waste Station installations around ponds in Pleasure Creek neighborhood and the Lakes neighborhood paid for by Coon Creek Watershed District
• Smart Salt training for all public works employees
Goals for 2021 include:
• Smart Salt training for city maintenance staff
• Stormwater Treatment projects in Aurelia Park and Happy Acres Park
• Adopt a Drain Challenge against the cities of Fridley, Columbia Heights, and Andover in partnership with Coon Creek WD and Rice Creek WD and the Anoka Conservation District
• Vegetation Management of stormwater ponds in the Lakes Development
• Education Campaign with partners to target salt reduction and pet waste reduction
• Storm Sewer lining projects in the parking lot of City Hall and Springbrook Creek under Salvation Army parking lot
New Permit Requirements
Staff is in the process of completing a new permit that will cover the next five years. There are some new permit requirements that will require additional measures to be taken. Some of the measures will involve additional training and changes in the methods used by staff and others will involve a robust education campaign to work with the public on making changes for cleaner water.
The changes include:
• Salt reduction efforts
• Pet waste reduction efforts
• Educational outreach focused on illicit discharge recognition and reporting illicit discharges
• More stringent water quality requirements for new and redeveloped sites
• Water Quality themed public events
Strategic Plan Relationship
The Stormwater program helps to maintain the city’s stormwater infrastructure and provides opportunities for the residents to provide input.
Board/Commission Review
N/A
Financial Impact
The city pays for its stormwater program through Stormwater Utility fees and applies for grants when feasible. Partnerships are also a huge component of the city’s stormwater program.
Public Outreach/Input
The notice of this meeting has been published in the local paper allowing residents the opportunity to provide input on the city’s SWPPP, which can be reviewed on the city’s website under the Engineering Department link.
Staff Recommendation
Hold public meeting to fulfill the requirements of Blaine’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP).
Attachment List
N/A