Water Consortium Overview

Transcription

1 Water Consortium Overview Stephanie Souter, Associate Planner Hennepin County Natural Resource Partnership July 22, 2014

2 Agenda Washington County history Origins of Water Consortium Structure Accomplishments Moving forward

3 A great place to live, work and play today and tomorrow.

4 Washington County Is the 5 th largest county in population Is the 4 th smallest in size Includes all or a part of 27 cities and 6 townships Range of communities urban, suburban, rural

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6 Washington County Several watershed management organizations Unique geology History of groundwater contamination 100% of drinking water comes from groundwater County groundwater plan

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8 Washington County Water Governance Study Washington County conducted a water governance study in member workgroup appointed Several key recommendations 8

9 Washington County Water Governance Study Recommendation: The county should address needs for more county-wide leadership and coordination of surface and groundwater management The County should established a county-wide Water Consortium to work on surface and groundwater issues that cross local water unit boundaries. Members of the consortium should include the local water units, cities and townships, Washington SWCD, County Departments, and natural resource agencies. The County should staff the Consortium. 9

10 What is the water consortium? The purpose of the Washington County Water Consortium is to preserve and improve the quality of the county s water resources, in the most efficient manner, by partnering and facilitating collaboration with watersheds, communities, state and local agencies, and county departments on shared water resource issues. 10

11 Water Consortium Structure Information sharing Action Discussion 11

12 Water Consortium Structure Usually 9-10 meetings per year Each meeting usually has a theme Over 300 people on list Average attendance is about 25 Attendees include watersheds (managers and staff), cities/townships, county, state agencies, Met Council, residents County staff lead, with planning support from Washington Conservation District 12

13 Water Consortium Topics Surface and groundwater topics Presenters and guests have included Consortium members State agency representatives Water professionals from around the twin cities University researchers 13

14 Water Consortium Topics Wisconsin Farmer-led Councils on Water Quality WCD State of the Waters Browns Creek Groundwater Monitoring Results Update Stormwater Reuse: Metropolitan Council Stormwater Reuse Guide The Role of St. Anthony Village in Silver Lake TMDL Implementation MDH Update on PFC and VOC Groundwater Contamination in Washington County 14

15 Accomplishments Reports on GW incorporation into watershed rules Implementation of county GW plan Integrated Groundwater and Surface Water Management Northern and Southern Washington County Studies Groundwater Protection, Sustaining Growth and Natural Resources in Woodbury/Afton Area

16 Accomplishments Standardized chart of accounts for watersheds Annual presentation to county board on watershed budgets Formation of East Metro Water Resources Education Program (EMWREP) Annual tours

17 Accomplishments workplan top three priorities WQ permitting and standards Work together on the Lake St. Croix TMDL and other TMDL studies in addressing issues and implementation. Increase coverage of BMP topics site BMP tracking database

18 Maintaining interest and enthusiasm Consistent representation from cities/townships Challenges

19 Excerpt from A Vision for 2010 from the 1999 Water Governance Study The discussions of the expanded ground water consortium led to the development of a Washington County Water Consortium involving all organizations managing surface and ground water. Members include each water managementunit, cities and townships, county departments, the Washington SWCD, and natural resource agencies. The County provides staff services to the Consortium. A major work item for the consortium is the development of a State of the Water report for the County every five years that details the conditions and issues related to ground and surface waters. This helps to set the agenda for water management in the county for the next five years. The consortium has developed common data bases, identified data needs, and is developing policy recommendations regarding ground and surface water and land use management. It has developed standards for stormwater infiltration, and recommendations for land use management. The consortium develops a 5-year work plan that identifies priorities for action by the whole group or members within the group. Its members have written successful grant proposals to complete research studies and implementation projects, such as well-sealing and a land-locked basin study. The County has used this group as a sounding board for water issues and to assist with carrying out some of its water management role.

20 Summary Washington County Water Consortium is a model for cross boundary coordination around water resources The consortium has created shared resources 20

21 Moving Forward County is in final stages of adopting 2014 groundwater plan Strategies cannot be achieved by county alone Consortium allows for a ready opportunity to work with watersheds and LGUs on implementation, education/outreach, and research 21

22 Questions? Stephanie Souter