Cannon River One Watershed, One Plan. POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING January 10, 2018 Rice County Government Center Faribault, MN

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1 Cannon River One, One Plan POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING January 10, 2018 Rice County Government Center Faribault, MN

2 TASK Task 1. Aggregate Existing Physical & Spatial Data 1A. Create project maps 1B. Meeting Facilitation #1: Planning Work Group: Initial Meeting + Stakeholder Engagement Planning X #2: Public Kick-off Meeting (Open House) X #3: Planning Work Group: Issues/Concerns Compilation + Review Zonation X #4-5: Advisory Work Group: Water Conversations (2) X Task 2. Prioritization, Modeling and Targeted Mapping 2A. Aggregate priority concerns 2B. Create watershed priority scheme 2C. Map and target areas 2D. Meeting Facilitation 2017 M J J A S O N D #6. Policy Committee: Zonation Survey X #7. Planning Work Group: Issues/Concerns, Zonation, Priority Scheme X #8. Public Input Meeting: Review Issues + Explore Management Areas X #9-10. Advisory Work Group: Water Conversations (2) X #11. Planning Work Group (PWG): Finalize Issues, Priorities and Management Areas X X #12. Policy Committee: Finalize Issues, Priorities and Management Areas

3 TASK Task 2. Prioritization, Modeling and Targeted Mapping #12. Policy Committee: Finalize Issues, Priorities & Management Areas X X Task 3. Set Initial Measurement Goals 3A. Set Goals 3B. Meeting Facilitation #13. Planning Work Group: Measurable Goals X #14. Planning Work Group: Measurable Goals X #15. Policy Committee: Finalize Issues & Priorities, Measurable Goals X Task 4. Develop Targeted and Measurable Implementation Plan and Schedule 4A. Create 10-year implementation plan 4B. Meeting Facilitation # Advisory Work Group: Water Conversations (2) X #18. Planning Work Group: Implementation Plan X N D J F M A M J J A S O #19. Policy Committee: Implementation Plan X #20. Planning Work Group: Implementation Plan X

4 TASK Task 5. Complete the Draft Comprehensive Management Plan 5A. Complete draft plan 5B. Internal and formal review process 5C. Meeting Facilitation N D J F M A M J J A S O N D #21. Policy Committee: Approve Draft 1W1P for review X #22. Public Hearing X #23. Policy Committee: Response to Comments X Task 6. Complete the Final Comprehensive Management Plan 6A. Incorporate comments into plan

5 Review of local and regional planning documents Creating opportunities for cities, stakeholder groups and the public to participate Incorporating expertise of partnering agencies and organizations Utilizing various prioritization tools Prioritization of the what and the where DRAFT Analysis and Prioritization of Issues and Resource Concerns

6 Map of priority management areas; where implementation efforts will receive the highest priority within time frame of approved Plan Funding for implementation in upstream portions of the watershed will have benefits to downstream resources and communities Next Step for PWG to re-visit issues from local and regional planning documents + water conversations Verify all issues and concerns have been evaluated

7 DRAFT Cannon Bottoms changed to Cannon/Mississippi River Bottoms Recreation added to the Large Communities Low Flow phosphorous added to the Straight River Tributaries Added that portion of the Middle Cannon River Lobe that contains Circle Lake, Union Lake and Rice Creek DRAFT

8 Considerations during prioritization process: Identified by members of the public Identified in Minnesota s Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan What can reasonably be achieved within 10-year timeframe of 1W1P Secondary benefits to downstream resources, communities and systems Recognition that priority areas are where progress will be measured (not necessarily where implementation will occur)

9 Tier 1 Concerns /issues to be addressed within 10-year timeframe of plan Implementation activities include detailed budget and schedule Tier 2 Concerns /issues to be addressed in next 10-year plan, or as opportunity and funding arises within Implementation activities will be identified Tier 3 Concerns /issues to be addressed in some future, undefined period No implement. activities identified

10 Concerns Expressed During Planning Process More extreme precipitation events results in flooding in downtown Waterville. Changes in precipitation patterns and more extreme events are resulting in increased flooding. Impacts related to flooding are exacerbated by lack of stormwater management, capacity issues and the need for resiliency planning. Restore or create wetlands in 10 % of the Waterville watershed for flood reduction and pollution control. Issue Statement Measurable Goals High quality lakes have recreational value and need to be protected. There are 5 high quality lakes in need of protection. These lakes currently support recreation, but could become degraded in the future if phosphorus loads increase or there are changes to groundwater baseflow or lake levels. Reduce phosphorus loads by at least 10% to the high quality lakes. How do priority issues/concerns translate to Measurable Goals and Implementation Activities? Measurable Goal - The quantifiable change in resource condition you expect after you implement the 10- year plan Implementation Activities The specific activities you will take to achieve the goals Use Restorable Wetlands Tool to identify specific (most suitable) locations in Waterville. Implementation Activities Use PTMApp to identify phosphorus reduction projects in the lake watersheds, and complete a shoreline septic inventory and improve or maintain non-compliant systems.

11 Management Component Concern Streams, Lakes and Rivers TIER ONE PRIORITY ISSUES Location within Planning Area - There is a need to protect high quality lakes (Roemholts, Kelly-Dudley, Fish, & Beaver) & to restore impaired lakes very close to the achieving water quality standards (Cedar, Fox, Priority Area: Lakes Area Sprague, Hunt, Union) Priority Area: Lakes Area - Waters are impaired due to high phosphorus, sediment, and nitrogen, bacteria and Straight River Tributaries - All of the designated trout waters in the Lower Cannon lobe meet the criteria for the southeast Minnesota coldwater Fish Index of Biotic Integrity. Changes in land use have the potential to adversely impact cold water fisheries (trout streams) due to increasingly high nitrate concentration in groundwater, pollutant loads of stormwater runoff and bank destabilization. Priority Area: Lakes Area and Cannon/Mississippi Bottoms RESOURCES Wetlands Groundwater - Approximately 81% of the historic wetlands have been lost from the Cannon River Planning Area including a 10,000-acre wetland in the Straight River Lobe. While some efforts to restore wetland acreage has occurred over the last few decades, additional restoration is needed to reduce flooding, improve water quality and provide for groundwater recharge. Wetland restoration projects are limited by a need for funding to provide financial and technical assistance to landowners. - Drinking water source areas are vulnerable to contamination due to rapid transfer of chemicals (bacteria and nitrates) in karst/recharge/ wellhead areas. - Aquifers and wells used for public water supplies vary widely. Some are very shallow and unprotected and can be easily contaminated by activities at the ground surface. The Groundwater Restoration and Protection Strategy for the Cannon River identifies where higher levels of nitrate are present and high pollution sensitivity of wells. Areas with higher nitrate levels and highest sensitivity are found in southern Dakota County, northern Goodhue County and eastern Le Sueur County. Priority Area: Drainage area to Larger Communities -wide as identified through wetland prioritization tools that will be used during the implementation phase of the planning process Priority Area: Larger Communities Priority Area: Cannon/Mississippi Bottoms and Lakes Area

12 Management Component LANDSCAPE ALTERATIONS Concern Agriculture Development Public & Private Drainage Systems Climate Change TIER ONE PRIORITY ISSUES - Agricultural runoff (rate, volume and pollutants) are impacting surface water and groundwater resources. - Improper application of manure and fertilizer (rate, location, source and timing) is polluting surface waters. - Healthy, high-functioning soils store more water, exhibit higher rates of infiltration, require less fertilizer application and retain and break down pesticides, heavy metals and other pollutants. Soil health has been degraded due to poor agricultural practices and overgrazing which limits the role it plays in clean water and groundwater recharge. - Conversion of seasonal to year-round dwellings, developments and resorts has the potential to adversely impact shoreland. - Changes in precipitation patterns and more extreme events are resulting in increased flooding. Impacts related to flooding are exacerbated by lack of stormwater management, capacity issues and the need for resiliency planning. - Lack of stormwater management, regulations, and construction inspections in non-ms4 communities is having an adverse impact on surface water resources in the Planning Area. - Non-conforming and Imminent Threat to Public Health and Safety sewage treatment systems are polluting lakes and streams. - While public and private drainage systems were installed to remove excess water and lower the water table for agricultural production and/or development, there were unintended consequences to the hydrologic system including changes in peak flow, water quantity, water quality and groundwater recharge. - Agricultural drainage systems and/or aging infrastructure may not be sized to handle additional connections resulting in localized flooding issues. - There is a lack of understanding of and/or funding for retrofitting existing drainage systems for multi-purpose and multi-benefit drainage management - Precipitation and temperature trends are resulting in increased flooding, higher stream temperatures, higher pollutant loads which are adversely affecting the surface water and groundwater resources in the Planning Area. Location within Planning Area -wide beginning with subwatersheds with the top 25% of pollutant yields watershed-wide, with greater priority placed on subwatersheds with groundwater benefits -wide Priority Area: Lakes Area Priority Area: Lakes Area and Larger Communities Smaller, non-ms4 communities Priority Area: Lakes Area -wide based on proximity to lakes, streams and rivers In subwatersheds with the top 25% of pollutant yields watershed-wide, with greater priority placed on subwatersheds with groundwater benefits -wide

13 Management Component Concern TIER ONE PRIORITY ISSUES Location within Planning Area SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS Education and Outreach Coordination and Partnerships Recreation and Livability - Decision makers (government officials) don t have a good understanding of watershed management which limits their ability to move forward with implementation of Local Water Management Plans. - Citizens in the Planning Area lack water literacy and a basic understanding of watershed management which limits their ability to be better stewards of the resources. - Opportunities for existing partnerships need to be enhanced and utilized in the Cannon River Planning Area. - Improving capacity and planning coordination of new organization structure of PWG. - Maintain existing and create new high recreation opportunities. -wide -wide -wide -wide -wide

14 Management Component RESOURCES LANDSCAPE CHANGES SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS Concern Streams, Lakes and Rivers TIER TWO PRIORITY ISSUES Location within Planning Area - Lack of monitoring data and coordination/sharing -wide - Stream stressors (elevated stream temperature, dissolved oxygen, lack of physical habitat, physical connectivity, and flow alteration) are impairing the biological communities -wide Wetlands - Protection of existing wetlands for function and value -wide - Protection of groundwater recharge areas -wide Groundwater - Groundwater withdrawals that impact groundwater dependent resources (such as trout streams and calcareous fens) -wide Ecosystems - Improve/establish habitat and corridors which are at risk from fragmentation -wide Forestry - Loss of high quality forests and trees due to development -wide - Lack of enforcement of shoreland rules, smaller communities new to the permitting/rules -wide process Development - Need to retrofit smaller communities with stormwater BMPs -wide - Lack of education/capacity/funding to maintain stormwater BMPs -wide Public & Private - Lack of functioning buffers on private drainage systems -wide Drainage Systems - Operation and maintenance of drainage systems -wide Education and Outreach - Need for improved stewardship by citizens -wide - Inter-agency coordination & collaboration -wide Coordination - Define and develop new partnerships -wide and Partnerships - Integrating volunteers -wide - Gathering & sharing information -wide Funding and Implementation Recreation and Livability - Developing new funding sources -wide - Effective resource allocation -wide - Leveraging existing resources -wide - Inter-jurisdictional resource coordination -wide - Protect species of concern and rare and natural features -wide - Preserve natural areas and prairie -wide - Increased coverage by terrestrial invasive species reduces groundcover which increases erosion and impedes recreation -wide

15 Management Component RESOURCES LANDSCAPE CHANGES Concern Streams, Lakes and Rivers Agriculture Development TIER THREE PRIORITY ISSUES Location within Planning Area - Lakes are impacted by AIS -wide - Loss of farmland due to development pressure is a concern to residents in the Planning Area. -wide - Waste disposal -wide - Wastewater management (permitted entities; extreme events and CSOs/I&I look at frequency and potential move to tier 2) potential reuse opportunities for cooling water, infrastructure for expansion -wide - Industrial stormwater runoff -wide

16 Elements of a One, One Plan DATES: May Nov 2017 Jan Feb 2018 Mar Apr 2018

17 Thank you!