Efficient, Effective, Responsive Update on Dakota County Groundwater Plan Development

Transcription

1 Update on Dakota County Groundwater Plan Development Valerie A. Grover Groundwater Protection Unit Environmental Resources Department Physical Development Division 12 February 2019

2 Overview Groundwater in Dakota County Groundwater Plan Background Info Benefits Requirements Groundwater Plan Progress Update Actions since October 2018 Planned Stakeholder Engagement Process Draft Schedule

3 Thousands Dakota County Groundwater Use 2017 Metro Counties Groundwater Use (KGal/Capita) Dakota County total water usage was ~25BG in 2017: 55% Water Supply 28% Agricultural Irrigation 12% Industrial Processing 5% Other Estimated 745MG per year Private Well water usage Source: MN Department of Natural Resources, MN State Demographic Center

4 Dakota County Groundwater Quality Private Wells Private well testing results show: 31% of 1,224 wells exceeded MANGANESE standard (100 ug/l for infants) 27% of 1,391 wells exceeded NITRATE standard (10 mg/l) 11% of 268 wells exceeded CYANAZINE standard (1 ug/l) 34% of 957 wells tested showed the presence of ARSENIC Estimated Total Private Wells: 7,937 Estimated Total Population on Private Wells: 21,633 Source: Dakota County Delegated Well Program and Water Quality Testing Studies

5 Nitrate (mg/l) Dakota County Groundwater Quality Nitrate in Municipal Supply Wells Health Standard = 10 mg/l Max Nitrate in City Municipal Wells Nitrate in Hastings Municipal Wells Year Mean NO3 (mg/l) Max NO3 (mg/l) Source: MN Department of Health

6 Groundwater Plan: Benefits A County adopted Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved Groundwater Plan provides: Intrinsic Value Defines County s role in managing Groundwater Resources Provides a clear strategic direction for the County Assist in prioritizing future Capital Improvement Projects Sets specific standards for implementation Defines success through results based accountability for measuring progress Funding Opportunities Makes County eligible for competitive State Grant Funding (e.g., $1M in Clean Water Funds) May make County eligible for direct, non-competitive State Clean Water Funding dollars Proposed recommendation to BWSR provide dedicated State funding to metro counties with approved Groundwater Plans

7 Groundwater Plan: Requirements Last Groundwater Plan was approved in 2006 and incorporated into DC2020 Comprehensive Plan MN Stat 103B.255 (2018) - Requirements for Groundwater Plan Establish and consult Advisory Committee during development Specify period covered by plan (must extend 5-10 years) Cover entire area within the county Describe existing and expected changes to physical environment, land use and development in the County Summarize available info about groundwater in the county State goals, objectives, scope and priorities Contain standards, criteria and guidelines for protection Describe relationships to other plans Set standards, guidelines and official controls for implementation Include procedures and timelines for amending the plan Current Compliance Partial Partial Yes Yes Partial Partial No Partial No No

8 Groundwater Plan: Initial PDC Feedback (October 2018) Supported need for a Groundwater Plan Identified as 2019 Board Priority Identified the following needs: Coordinate with agencies involved in groundwater to improve processes Evaluate rules and processes to ensure they support the intended result Work with State agencies to address Dakota County s unique conditions Explore opportunities to take on regulatory roles the County could administer more efficiently

9 Groundwater Plan: Actions Q4/2018-Q1/2019 Presented and obtained feedback from PLANC Obtained lessons learned from Metro Counties with approved Groundwater Plan Started State agency coordination: Dep. of Natural Resources (DNR) - Appropriation permits Dep. of Agriculture (MDA) Nitrate best management practices (BMPs) and Groundwater Protection Rule Dep. of Health (MDH) well permit delegation authorities MDH & MDA pesticide contamination and health risk communication to residents BWSR - public engagement process and Advisory Committee requirements

10 Groundwater Plan: Public Engagement Process Draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan identifies two rounds of engagement: 1. Research Phase: Determine perceived issues/ concerns Solicit ideas on possible strategies 2. Draft Goals/ Strategies Phase: Discuss and obtain feedback on objectives, goals, and strategies Contract for Stakeholder Engagement Facilitation & Support is projected for award by end of February

11 STAKEHOLDERS Working Meetings Water Testing Clinics Surveys Open house(s)/ meeting(s) Speaking engagements (County staff) Groundwater Plan: Public Engagement Process ENGAGEMENT METHODS State Agencies and Met Council X X X Watershed Organizations X X Municipal Water Suppliers X X Communities on wells & septics X X Other public entities X X Residents (public water supply customers) X X X Residents (private drinking water wells) X X X X Well and Water Businesses X Businesses X X X Agriculture X X X X X Research Institutions X X Nonprofits, special interest groups X X

12 Groundwater Plan: Draft Schedule Task Introduce to PLANC (24 Jan) Update PDC (12 Feb) Award Stakeholder Engagement Contract Finalize Stakeholder Engagement Plan Conduct Technical Research Conduct Round 1 Stakeholder Engagement Q Q Q Q Q Q Provide summary to PLANC and PDC Develop objectives, goals, and strategies County Board Workshop Conduct Round 2 Stakeholder Engagement Provide summary to PLANC Complete Draft Groundwater Plan Present draft Plan to PLANC and Board 60-day BWSR & public review period Compile and summarize comments Seek recommendation for Plan adoption from PLANC and Board

13 Questions?

14 Groundwater Plan: Process Objectives Use the Dakota County Comprehensive Plan DC2040 Water Supply Vision, Goals, Objectives, and Policies as a baseline Engage Planning Commission as the required Advisory Committee for Groundwater Plan development Provide routine updates to the Physical Development Committee

15 Groundwater Plan: Process Objectives (Cont.) Understand public interests through Stakeholder Engagement Develop required elements for a compliant Groundwater Plan Develop potential groundwater protection strategies Better understand groundwater characteristics and data needs Clarify Dakota County s roles and authority in groundwater protection Identify opportunities to impact local, state, and/or federal policies Use Groundwater Plan as a means to connect with new collaborators

16 Groundwater Plan: Baseline DC 2040 Draft Water Objectives Maintain good quality and quantity of drinking water Protect a sustainable and sufficient water supply Prevent groundwater and surface water degradation Avoid, minimize, mitigate impacts to groundwater and surface water Increase community awareness Work with state, regional, and local partners Update groundwater protection tools Identify high quality infiltration areas to be protected

17 Groundwater Plan: Baseline DC 2040 Draft Water Policies Monitor water resource quality and quantity Protect a safe and adequate drinking water supply Encourage all communities to adopt water conservation and pollution prevention measures Ensure that new wells are constructed and unused wells are sealed according to requirements