7.5.
CC Regular Session
- Meeting Date:
- 07/28/2015
- By:
- Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works
Information
Title:
Review of Metropolitan Council’s draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan
Purpose/Background:
Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to review City staff’s draft response to the Metropolitan Council’s draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan, and to obtain input from the City Council prior to finalizing the response.
Background:
The Metropolitan Council originally adopted the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan (MWSP) in 2010 in support of legislative requirements. The 2010 MWSP is being updated in 2015 to integrate with Thrive MSP 2040, the region’s 30-year comprehensive plan, which was approved by the Metropolitan Council on May 28, 2014. The 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area MWSP will also incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010.
According to the Metropolitan Council, the Draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan provides a framework for sustainable long-term water supply planning at the local and regional level, and provides communities in the region with planning assistance for water supply in a way that:
As previously mentioned, the 2015 MWSP will incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010 including:
The Metropolitan Council released the draft 2015 MWSP for public comment on June 25th. The full draft plan, which contains 955 pages, is attached for reference. Also attached is a 2 pager titled “How to Navigate the Master Water Supply Plan”. A copy of City staff’s draft response letter is also attached.
Final plan review responses must be submitted by 5 pm, Friday, August 21. The Metropolitan Council will adopt the updated Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan in the fall of 2015.
The purpose of this case is to review City staff’s draft response to the Metropolitan Council’s draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan, and to obtain input from the City Council prior to finalizing the response.
Background:
The Metropolitan Council originally adopted the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan (MWSP) in 2010 in support of legislative requirements. The 2010 MWSP is being updated in 2015 to integrate with Thrive MSP 2040, the region’s 30-year comprehensive plan, which was approved by the Metropolitan Council on May 28, 2014. The 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area MWSP will also incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010.
According to the Metropolitan Council, the Draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan provides a framework for sustainable long-term water supply planning at the local and regional level, and provides communities in the region with planning assistance for water supply in a way that:
- Recognizes local control and responsibility for owning, maintaining and operating water supply systems
- Is developed in cooperation and consultation with municipal water suppliers, regional stakeholders and state agencies
- Protects critical habitat and water resources over the long term
- Meets regional needs for a reliable, secure water supply
- Highlights the benefits of integrated planning for stormwater, wastewater and water supply
- Emphasizes and supports conservation and inter-jurisdictional cooperation, and
- Provides clear guidance by identifying key challenges, issues, and considerations in the region and available approaches (without dictating solutions).
As previously mentioned, the 2015 MWSP will incorporate new data and information that has been collected since 2010 including:
- New population projections- Metropolitan Council
- Screening of groundwater and surface water relationships- Metropolitan Council
- Mapping of the vulnerability of bedrock aquifers to flow through glacial sediments- MN Geological Survey
- New aquifer testing data collected through community source water protection programs- MN Department of Health
- New groundwater level monitoring data- MN Department of Natural Resources
- Water supply alternative feasibility assessments- Metropolitan Council in partnership with communities
- Provide guidance on the content and format of the MWSP
- Provide feedback on regional water supply issues, including challenges and opportunities
- Share local data about water resources and water supply planning
- Review draft technical analysis and planning tools
- Review draft Master Water Supply Plan and provide comments
The Metropolitan Council released the draft 2015 MWSP for public comment on June 25th. The full draft plan, which contains 955 pages, is attached for reference. Also attached is a 2 pager titled “How to Navigate the Master Water Supply Plan”. A copy of City staff’s draft response letter is also attached.
Final plan review responses must be submitted by 5 pm, Friday, August 21. The Metropolitan Council will adopt the updated Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan in the fall of 2015.
Notification:
Notification is not required.
Observations/Alternatives:
Chapter 1 provides an overview of the draft 2015 MWSP and outlines the rationale and benefits of water supply planning, identifies updates being made to the plan, and describes how the plan can be used to guide planning efforts at the local level, including the potential need to use a multi-community approach in planning for future water supply needs.
Chapter 2 discusses the goal, guiding principles and vision of the draft 2015 MWSP, and states “the Master Water Supply Plan’s single overarching goal is that the region’s water supply is sustainable now and in the future.” The City’s draft response letter acknowledges and supports this goal, though it also stresses the need to achieve this goal in an equitable manner through partnering with other communities.
Chapter 3 explores the region’s current and projected water use demands, and water conservation options.
Chapter 4 considers major water supply sources available to the region, and summarizes challenges and opportunities associated with the major water supply sources.
Chapter 5 looks at water supply issues facing the region, including how they vary across the region.
Chapter 6 identifies some measurable outcomes that can be tracked to monitor progress toward the goal of sustainability.
Chapter 7 provides more detail about how policies and strategies are translated into action by the Metropolitan Council and its partners.
Chapter 8 addresses the roles and responsibilities needed at the various levels (individual, community, regional, state, and federal) to support the implementation of the draft 2015 MWSP.
Staff believes it is critical that the City respond to the draft 2015 MWSP as it is clear that this guidance and planning document will play a role in how the City of Ramsey plans for its future water supply needs, and the costs associated with implementing those plans. Staff therefore requests that the City Council provide comments on the attached draft response, which will then be incorporated into the final response letter to be reviewed by Council again on August 11th. A final response will then be submitted to the Metropolitan Council prior to the August 21st deadline.
Chapter 2 discusses the goal, guiding principles and vision of the draft 2015 MWSP, and states “the Master Water Supply Plan’s single overarching goal is that the region’s water supply is sustainable now and in the future.” The City’s draft response letter acknowledges and supports this goal, though it also stresses the need to achieve this goal in an equitable manner through partnering with other communities.
Chapter 3 explores the region’s current and projected water use demands, and water conservation options.
Chapter 4 considers major water supply sources available to the region, and summarizes challenges and opportunities associated with the major water supply sources.
Chapter 5 looks at water supply issues facing the region, including how they vary across the region.
Chapter 6 identifies some measurable outcomes that can be tracked to monitor progress toward the goal of sustainability.
Chapter 7 provides more detail about how policies and strategies are translated into action by the Metropolitan Council and its partners.
Chapter 8 addresses the roles and responsibilities needed at the various levels (individual, community, regional, state, and federal) to support the implementation of the draft 2015 MWSP.
Staff believes it is critical that the City respond to the draft 2015 MWSP as it is clear that this guidance and planning document will play a role in how the City of Ramsey plans for its future water supply needs, and the costs associated with implementing those plans. Staff therefore requests that the City Council provide comments on the attached draft response, which will then be incorporated into the final response letter to be reviewed by Council again on August 11th. A final response will then be submitted to the Metropolitan Council prior to the August 21st deadline.
Funding Source:
This case is being handled as part of normal Staff duties.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council review the draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan and provide comments on the attached draft response to allow a final response letter to be prepared for Council review and approval on August 11th prior to submittal to the Metropolitan Council by the August 21st deadline.
Action:
Provide comments on the attached draft response to the draft 2015 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Master Water Supply Plan.
Attachments
Form Review
| Inbox | Reviewed By | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Kurt Ulrich | Jo Thieling | 07/23/2015 04:24 PM |
- Form Started By:
- Bruce Westby
- Started On:
- 07/22/2015 07:01 AM
- Final Approval Date:
- 07/23/2015