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03-06-95 RBWMOCITY OF RICHFIELD MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1995 RICHFIELD-BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5:00 P.M. (DINNER SERVED) 5:30 P.M. (MEETING BEGINS) COUNCIL CHAMBERS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE RICHFIELD-BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION COUNCIL LETTER NO. 67 ADJOURNMENT AUXILIARY AIDS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. REQUESTS MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 96 HOURS IN ADVANCE TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR AT 861-9702. CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA Council Letter No. 67 Agenda March 6, 1995 Issue Statement: Annual meeting of the Richfield Bloomington Watershed Management Organization. Background: The Richfield Bloomington Watershed Management District was formed in 1984 to coordinate our stormwater management planning as mandated by State Statute. In order to maintain local control of stormwater in the southeast portion of the City, Richfield decided to form their own Watershed Management District with Bloomington rather than join an existing Watershed Management District. The twelfth annual organizational meeting will be held on Monday, March 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Richfield City Council Chambers, 6700 Portland Avenue. The agenda packet for the meeting is attached. Recommended Motion: This Council Letter is for informational purposes; no formal action is necessary as a City Council. However, the attached agenda packet indicates there is some action required of the Board of Commissioners at the March 6 meeting. Basis of Recommendation: 1. The Richfield-Bloomington Watershed Management District Board of determined by the Chair. 2. The meeting has been scheduled on the first available date for all parties and at a time to allow all parties to attend other meetings later in the evening. Alternative Recommendation: None. Discussion/Decision Mode: The annual meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Richfield Bloomington Watershed Management Organization will start with a light supper at 5:00 p.m. The business meeting is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., Monday, March 6, in the Richfield City Council Chambers. Respec ly submitted, rosser Ja fg City er J DP:ds RICHFIELD/BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA 1. Approval of Minutes of February 7, 1994- 2. Election of Officers (typically 2 Richfield, 2 Bloomington) 3. Appointment of Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director 4. Concept Approval of RBWMO Boundary Change -- Richfield Lake -- Grass Lake 5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit Update 6. Wetland Conservation Act Update -- Legislative Update 7. Local Watershed Management Plan -- Bloomington waiting completion of other Watershed District Plans within Bloomington. -- Richfield Plan available for review. 8. Projects -- 77th Street Project -- 79th/80th Street Corridor Project -- 35W/494 Update 9. Annual Report 10. Public Notice (Required) -- Notice in the Sun-Current 11. RBWMO Plan - 1995 Revisions 12. Insurance -- Each city to pay half the cost 13. Adjournment RICHFIELD/BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION 1994 ANNUAL REPORT Table of Contents I. Financial Report II. Activity Report (Subsections of this report are lettered to be consistent with Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) rules 8410.0150 to allow easy reference.) A. 'Membership B. Staff C. 1994 Work Plan D. 1995 Work Plan E. Permits, Variances and Enforcement F. Water Quality Monitoring G. Local Plans H. Information Program 1. Solicitation for Interest for Consultant Services J. Expenditures K. Wetland Banking 0 I. FINANCIAL REPORT The RBWMO has not expended or accrued funds during the fiscal year ending December 31, 1994. Therefore, no financial or audit reports are necessary. Richfield and Bloomington budgeted and expended over $0.7 million and $2.6 million in their respective storm drainage utilities in 1994 to manage and control stormwater. H. ACTIVITY REPORT A. MEMBERSHIP Name Represenfing 0 Joyce Henry Bloomington Coral Houle, Vice-Chair Bloomington Alisa Heintzeman Bloomington Martin Kirsch Richfield Neil Peterson Bloomington Donald Priebe Richfield Susan Rosenberg Richfield Michael Sandahl, Chair Richfield Peggy Ramthun Bloomington Ann Lenczewski Bloomington Russ Susag, Treasurer Richfield Vern Wilcox, Secretary Bloomington 1994 Outgoing Members Neil Peterson Bloomington 1995 Incoming Members Gene Winstead Bloomington 0 Richfield members can be contacted at: Richfield City Hall 6700 Portland Avenue South Richfield, MN 55423 Phone: 861-9700 Bloomington members can. be contacted at, Bloomington City Hall 2215 W. Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone: 948-8700 B. STAFF Executive Director: Jim Gates Bloomington Deputy Director of Public Works 2215 W. Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431 Phone: 948-8700 Assistant Executive Director: Michael Eastling Richfield City Engineer 6700 Portland Avenue South Richfield, MN .55423 Phone: 861-9792 The City staffs for both cities cooperate to provide necessary staff support for • the WMO. C. 1994 WORK PLAN The Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) approved the RBWMO plan directing the member cities to administer the plan. The stormwater management efforts of each city will eventually be codified in their respective local Watershed Management Plan (WMP). These plans will not be finalized until all the WMO's of which each city is a member has their WMP approved by BWSR. State law allows cities two years following the approval of the last WMO WMP within their boundary for each city to complete their stormwater management plan. Richfield has moved forward with their city-wide stormwater management plan and is in the process of final modifications prior to implementation of the plan. The City of Bloomington is working toward the completion of their plan in 1996. In addition to the regular review and permitting afforded all cities, both cities have stormwater utilities which provide a reliable funding source for stormwater management activities. 40 Both cities have status as Local Government Units (LGU) from BWSR for the purpose of the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 for the permanent program. i Bloomington has enacted a Stormwater Quality Ordinance. This ordinance requires properties that construct one acre or more of impervious area, or do major reconstruction, to provide ponding or funding for both water quality and water quantity aspects of stormwater management. Bloomington stormwater infrastructure fund receives approximately $100,000 per year as a result of the implementation of the ordinance. Richfield has prepared a stormwater management plan for the area of Richfield included in the NPDES application made with Minneapolis. Many of the same management practices will also be applied to the area within the RBWMO. D. WORK PLAN The City of Richfield is reviewing the areas tributary to Richfield Lake and Grass Lake in conjunction with the Richfield Stormwater Management Plan. There presently is not a structured outlet for either Richfield Lake or Grass Lake. The most feasible outlet is through the Wood Lake System with eventual discharge into the MnDOT storm, system along Interstate 494. This Richfield Lake and Grass Lake addition will require a boundary change for the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization. Staff from the 0 City of Richfield will be pursuing this revision in 1995. Assuming that all the WMO's of which Richfield and Bloomington are members have approved WMP's, both cities will be finalizing their local WMP's. The City of Richfield is finalizing the Stormwater Management Plan. Bloomington is continuing work on their plan. Bloomington is working with other municipalities in attaining approval of the maximum amount of flexibility in regard to the structure and requirements of watershed management plans with (BWSR) and other regulatory agencies. Bloomington and Richfield are continuing water quality monitoring. Both cities are involved in discussions regarding the establishment of target pollutant loadings for the waters of the state. The Metropolitan Council is implementing best management practices in the outlying segments of the metro area. Bloomington is continuing to participate in a study funded by United States Geological Survey and the Local Road Research Board regarding water quality from roadway runoff. It is anticipated this study will help municipalities design water quality ponds and other useful techniques for dealing with pollutants from non-point sources. u E. PERMITS, VARIANCES AND ENFORCEMENT Bloomington has had 13 actions pursuant to their status as an LGU for administration of the permanent program for the Wetland Conservation Act. One action was the result of a cease and desist order, another resulted in a restoration order after an accidental impact on an existing wetland. F. WATER QUALITY MONITORING Bloomington and Richfield will continue' monitoring stormwater quality in 1995 with sampling equipment. RBWMO agreed by resolution to cooperate with Met Council and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in their efforts to meet their commitment to the EPA to reduce non-point pollution to the Minnesota River by 40%. Both cities continue to work toward that goal. G. LOCAL PLANS Local plans will be finalized upon approval of the remaining Watershed Management Plans for the watershed districts and watershed management organizations in Richfield and Bloomington. Considerable base information is being compiled to assist in this upcoming endeavor. H. INFORMATION PROGRAM A copy of the publication in the Bloomington and Richfield Sun is attached. I. SOLICITATION FOR INTEREST FOR CONSULTANT SERVICES No consultant services were used by the RBWMO in 1994. J. EXPENDITURES There were no RBWMO expenditures in 1994 K. WETLAND BANKING A wetland banking program for each city as LGU to implement the regulation is being investigated for potential implementation. 0 PUBLIC NOTICE CONCERNING THE RICHFIELD/BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION The Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization (RBWMO) is a result of a joint powers agreement between the cities of Richfield and Bloomington. The organization was established to manage natural water drainage, retention, and stormwater management occurring in approximately a 6.8 square mile, contiguous area that comprises portions of eastern Bloomington and southeastern Richfield. A map of the area is shown below: The intent of the organization is to address water drainage issues within the watershed that are inter-governmental, rather than local (specific to one community or the other) in scope. Goals of the organization include the following: • Protecting, preserving, and using natural surface and groundwater storage and retention systems; • Minimizing public capital expenditures needed to correct flooding and water quality problems; • Identifying and planning for opportunities to effectively protect and improve surface and groundwater quality; • Establishing more uniform local policies and official controls for surface and groundwater management; • Preventing erosion of soil into surface water systems; • Protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities; and • Securing the other benefits associated with the proper management of surface and groundwater within the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed. The RBWMO meets at least once a year in the first 90 days of each year, at which time the Board elects officers and conducts necessary business. The annual meeting is open to the public. . Commissioners of the RBWMO Board are all members of the Richfield and Bloomington City Councils.. Current members of the RBWMO Board are as follows: NAME REPRESENTING Joyce Henry Bloomington Michael Sandahl, Chair Richfield Coral Houle Bloomington Vern Wilcox, Secretary Bloomington Martin Kirsch Richfield Neil Peterson Bloomington Donald Priebe Richfield Susan Rosenberg Richfield Peggy Ramthun Bloomington Ann Lenczewski Bloomington Russ Susag, Treasurer Richfield Alisa Heintzeman Bloomington 1994 OUTGOING MEMBERS Neil Peterson Bloomington 1995 INCOMING MEMBERS Gene Winstead Bloomington Jim Gates, Deputy Director of Public Works for Bloomington, is the current (1994) Executive Director of the RBWMO. Michael Eastling, City Engineer for Richfield, is the 1994 Assistant Executive Director. The RBWMO has no direct expenses. Each city budgets and expends funds in their respective storm drainage utilities to cover costs associated with watershed drainage. The RBWMO's Watershed Management Plan was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in 1991. Since the plan has been approved by the RBWMO Board of Commissioners, the Plan will remain effective until the end of 1995. The Plan discusses the physical environment, land use and development in the RBWMO area; discusses geologic and hydrologic features of the watershed district; sets forth a management plan for the district, including the water qualities that will be sought and opportunities for improvement; describes the objectives and policies of the RBWMO; and sets forth an implementation program consistent with the management plan. Both cities serve as the Local Governmental Unit in their respective communities for enforcement of the interim regulations of the State Wetland Conservation Act of 1991. Richfield is participating with the City of Minneapolis in obtaining a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for the northern portion of Richfield that drains into the City of Minneapolis. This permit is required of all cities with a population over 100,000. Bloomington has adopted an ordinance requiring properties that construct one acre or more of impervious area, or do major reconstruction, to provide ponding or funding for both water quality and water quantity aspects of stormwater management. Both cities have adopted Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agencies "Best Management Practices" (BMP's) in order to accomplish improvements in water quality for RBWMO as well as the Minnesota River and the surrounding communities. Richfield and Bloomington residents can obtain additional information about the RBWMO, view the Watershed Management Plan, and/or contact their RBWMO commissioner by calling their city halls. Addresses and phone numbers for both locations are listed below: Richfield City Hall 6700 Portland Avenue South Richfield, MN 55423 861-9700 Bloomington City Hall 2215 W. Old Shakopee Road Bloomington, MN 55431 948-8700 For publication in the Richfield & Bloomington Sun 0 0 • a RICHFIELD/BLOOMINGTON WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION Unapproved Minutes 5:30 p.m. Annual Meeting February 7, 1994 Meeting #11 Bloomington City Hall Call to Order The annual meeting of the. Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization was called to order by Chair, Michael Sandahl, who asked that those in attendance introduce themselves. Roll Call Present: Chair Sandahl, Bloomington Commissioners Wilcox, Heintzeman, Henry, Lenczewski, Bloomington Mayor Peterson and Manager Bernhardson, Bloomington City Engineer Ron Rudrud, Bloomington Director of Public Works Charlie Honchell, Richfield Commissioners Priebe, Rosenberg, Susag, Richfield Community Services Director Don Fondrick, Richfield Mayor Kirsch and Manager Prosser. Absent: Bloomington Commissioners Houle & Ramthun. Also present: Executive Director Jim Gates and Assistant Executive Director Michael Eastling. Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Sandahl, seconded by Peterson, and all present voting aye, to approve the minutes of January 25, 1993, annual meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Election of Officers The Chair asked for nominations from the floor for election of officers. Mayor Peterson nominated Vern Wilcox as Secretary, . seconded by Lenczewski. All present voting aye, to close the nominations and to instruct the Chairman to designate Vern Wilcox as Secretary. The motion carried 13-0. The remainder of the officers remained as last year; Michael Sandahl as Chair, Coral Houle as Vice Chair and Russ Susag as Treasurer. 0 Appointment of The Chairman proposed Jim Gates, Bloomington Deputy Director Executive Director of Public Works continue as Executive Director and Michael and Assistant. Eastling, Richfield City Engineer continue as Assistant Executive Executive Director Director. Motion was made by Sandahl, seconded by Mayor Peterson, and all present voting aye, to approve the re-appointment of Jim Gates as Executive Director and Michael Eastling as Assistant Executive Director. The motion carried 13-0. RBWMO Boundary Mike Eastling presented material showing the change in the Change and Plan boundary of the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Revision Organization (RBWMO). The boundary change transfers small portions of Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District to the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization. The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) acted upon the request by the City of Richfield and approved the boundary change on April 5, 1993. The watershed boundaries, in addition to Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization, that would also be affected by this change would be Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. The reason for the change in the watershed boundary is that in conjunction with the 77th Street Improvement Project in Richfield, an outlet will be added to Wood Lake that will bring overflow in a pipe along 35W to I-494. Because the lake presently has no outlet, it has not been possible to regulate the water level and during periods of heavy runoff, the lake has overflowed its banks and flooded the paths in the park. Layout of the 77th Street Improvement plans including the overflow from Wood Lake were presented. It was noted that although Wood Lake has been officially a part of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, the overflow from the lake hasn't actually flowed there, and that the district has requested that no additional drainage be directed to it. However, some opposition was made by a former member of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District who is trying to get reinstated on their board. Some concern was reflected by Charlie Honchell that some opposition to the boundary change may resurrect itself. The Sierra Club had some questions with regard to the boundary change but voiced no opposition. 2 Commissioner Henry questioned who comprised the surrounding watershed districts. Charlie Honchell explained who the surrounding districts were (Minnehaha, Nine Mile, Riley-Purgatory- Bluff Creek and Lower Minnesota River) and also the differences between watershed districts and watershed management organizations. The former being comprised of governing boards appointed by. county commissioners. They are allowed to tax, process permits and may meet several times a month and at other scheduled times throughout the calendar year. Each watershed district is to provide an updated management plan due in 1995. They also have the authority to review, approve or disapprove the City's management plan. The second form of organization is the watershed management organizations which are comprised of various cities. Their boards are the council members, city staff, and administration. WMO's use joint agreements with various cities. City monies are used and along with greater staff time. Persons on this board are appointed by the member cities. The Minnehaha Watershed District is one of the largest in the Metro area. Another large watershed district is Nine Mile Creek which includes portions of Minnetonka, Hopkins, Edina, Bloomington, Richfield and Eden Prairie. A description of the storm sewer construction to Wood Lake and resulting storm sewer outlet of Wood Lake were given. All this would be in accordance with the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Transportation regulating drainage to the I-494 storm sewer system. Until the new storm sewer is built in conjunction with the reconstruction of 1-494, the outlet to Wood Lake will be pumped as necessary. The change in boundary will more easily accommodate the 35W expansion and storm sewer in conjunction with that project. Amendment to Motion was made by Mayor Peterson to approve the Amendment Joint Powers to Joint Powers Agreement and seconded by Mr. Susag. Motion Agreement was carried by all to establish and empower the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization to allow each City to act as Local Government Unit (LGU) with respect to responsibilities under the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 for wetlands located within each City's boundaries and approve the recommended boundary change of the RBWMO. National Pollutant Jim Gates updated the members regarding the mandates issued by Discharge Elimination the Environmental Protection Agency regarding National Pollutant System (NPDES) Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Permit Update Phase I of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System is in effect at the present time. This Phase I involves municipalities over 100,000 and there are a number of industries that are regulated in conjunction with Phase I of the NPDES. One of those affected by industrial activity permits is "construction activity". An NPDES permit is required for any construction activity that involves the disturbance of 5 acres or more in conjunction with a project. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is the authorized agency for the implementation of the NPDES permits here in Minnesota. The MPCA has a general permit in place for industrial activities and construction activity. Phase II of the NPDES permit is likely to be lowered to include municipalities with a population of 50,000 or more. We have heard that there will probably not be a re-authorization of the Clean Water Act during this session of Congress. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stated that they do not need the re- authorization to implement Phase II of the NPDES permit system. What we are hearing is that Phase II will begin October Ist of 1995. After October 1, 1995, one will have 18 months to complete Part I of the NPDES permit application. Part 1 basically says who you are, what you have in place, what your authority is and outlines the basic perimeters and parameters of your system. An example was given that Part 1 for the municipality of Minneapolis cost approximately $700,000. Part 2 of the application includes monitoring of your system, defining pollution prevention plans and eliminating illicit connections and providing the most efficient and least polluting system possible. Part 2 of the application for the City of Minneapolis is costing approximately 1 million dollars a year to implement. The monitoring of the storm sewer system within each municipality may involve 5 to 10 rainfall events and a couple of snow melt events. There are two methods for monitoring the storm sewer system. One is dividing the city into quarter mile squares and monitoring a number of low points within the grid. The other • option is to monitor storm sewer outfalls from your city. There are 4 • a number of pollutants within the EPA guidelines that municipalities must monitor. As stated previously, this is a mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency. There is no specific funding for the implementation for the NPDES permit. Each permit has a duration of 5 years after it has been granted. At the present time, there are no NPDES system permits granted for municipalities in the State of Minnesota. Therefore, right now we are providing a significant amount of monitoring data to WCA and EPA even though there are no guidelines for pollutant limits specified in conjunction with the permits. Mike Eastling provided information as to the city's responsibilities for water quality and best management practices. Both Richfield and Bloomington have implemented ordinances that include the Nationwide Urban Runoff Program (NURP) Guidelines and the use of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Best Management Practices handbook. The City of Bloomington has also implemented a Shoreland Ordinance. Charlie Honchell stated that the testing by each city and the writing • of reports may require each municipality to hire a consultant to complete the work. Russ Susag stated that one of the significant issues coming is the issue of "non-point sources" versus "point sources" of pollution. It was stated that non-point sources are much more difficult to track than point sources of pollution. Alisa Heintzeman asked whether other cities were involved or in a similar situation. It was stated that the cities over 100,000 and a number of industries were affected by Phase I of the NPDES permit system. Phase II may involve cities down to a population of 50,000. Mayor Peterson stated, "This could bankrupt the cities", indicating that the mandate is unfunded and that there are no standards. There was a discussion of a pollutant level in the Minnesota River versus the relatively clean Mississippi. It was stated that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has recently completed a four year study of the Minnesota River. This was the Minnesota River Assessment Project (MI AP). The MPCA is now in the process of going through an implementation strategy to clean up the Minnesota River. This project is designated as the Minnesota River Implementation Project (MRIP). RBWMO Plan 1995 It was stated that the Richfield/Bloomington WMO Plan has been approved in conjunction with the first iteration of "509" plans. There is a requirement that the plans go through the next iteration of "509" plans in accordance with new state rules regarding watershed management plans. The Richfield/Bloomington WMO plan will be worked on during 1994 for submittal in 1995. Insurance Mike Eastling stated that the practice that has been in the past is that each city share half the cost of insurance. In the past, the approximate cost has been between $2,200 - $2,300. The insurance basically covers actions by the Richfield/Bloomington WMO commissioners acting on behalf of the Richfield/Bloomington WMO. It was moved and seconded and approved unanimously that the insurance coverage be split between the cities of Richfield and Bloomington. Last Item Adjourn The meeting was adjourned by the Chairman at 6:30 p.m. i 9 One of the keys for the continuation of the 79th/80th Street Corridor is the bridge over 35W. This bridge is a key link since it will make the corridor continuous. This will allow transit activities and a number of other aspects to occur. Bloomington is presently in the Environmental Assessment review stage. 0 35W/I-494 Update Charlie Honchell provided an update to the 35W/I-494 projects. Both 35W and I-494 are in the Final Environmental Impact Statement phases at the present time. It is estimated that the Final Environmental Impact Statement will be completed in late 1994 or early 1995. There has been no appropriation of funding of these major highway improvement projects. Each project is estimated to cost approximately 1 billion dollars. The Interim Third Lane Project from Highway 13 in Burnsville to just past 494 on 35W is to be constructed during the 1994 construction season. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has let contracts on the south side of the river and the contract for the north side of the river is to be let in March of 1994. There will be no additional right-of-way acquisition in conjunction with the Interim Third Lane Project with the major construction occurring in the green space between the north and southbound lanes of the interstate at the present time. Annual Reports One of the requirements is the submittal of an Annual Report by the Richfield/Bloomington WMO to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. A review of the Annual Report was presented. There were no questions asked and it was stated that the Annual Report will then be forwarded to the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Public Notice The membership of the Richfield/Bloomington WMO were Sun Newspaper informed as to the "public requirement of the Public Notice included in the packet. If there were no questions, we would publish this in the official newspaper of the RBWMO, the Bloomington Sun. There were no questions and it was stated that the Public Notice would then be published in both the Richfield and Bloomington edition's of the Sun-Current. 0 • Local Watershed An update to the local Watershed Management Plan was provided Management Plan to the membership of the Richfield/Bloomington Watershed Management Organization. It was stated that the next iteration of the "509" plans is required to be completed by 1995. The first iteration of the Richfield/Bloomington WMO plan has been approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. A number of watershed districts and WMO's have not had their plans approved even for the first iteration of the "509" requirements. Therefore, the City of Richfield and the City of Bloomington are ahead of a number of other watershed districts as far as implementation of plans and programs. Each city must prepare their own local watershed management plan after the watershed districts and WMO's within their cities have had their plans approved. Each city has two years beyond the date of the final approval affecting their municipalities to have their own municipality plan prepared. PROJECTS: Mike Eastling updated the Richfield/Bloomington WMO 77th Street Project membership as to the status of the 77th Street Improvement Project. Richfield has received funding and is in the process of completing the improvements between 35W and Portland. Richfield is seeking federal funds to complete the improvements from Portland to Cedar Avenue in 1994. In conjunction with the 77th Street Improvement Project, a storm sewer outlet is provided from Wood Lake to the I-494 Storm Sewer System. Also in conjunction with the project, a greater portion of stormwater is routed through ponds to improve water quality and does not increase the amount of stormwater flow that actually flows from Richfield to Bloomington through the Smith Pond System. 79th/80th Street Jim Gates provided an update for the 79th/80th Street Corridor Project Improvement Project contemplated by the City of Bloomington. Bloomington is constructing the parallel arterial on the south side of the interstate similar to the 77th Street parallel arterial to I-494 on the north side of the interstate. The City of Bloomington has applied for federal funding for the 79th/80th Street Corridor Project. Bloomington will be implementing a portion of the corridor improvement in 1994 in the vicinity of Portland Avenue in conjunction with a redevelopment project occurring on the Collins Trailer Park site. • 7 • Bloomington Shoreland Jim Gates gave a presentation on the shore area ordinance recently adopted by the City of Bloomington. The ordinance regulates a number of activities adjacent to waters designated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for protection. Some of the basic activities involved are the construction of structures adjacent to the shoreline, significant trimming of trees, sewer and water services in the shore area and the elimination of fertilizer within 75 feet of the protected water body. This is one of the requested actions by the city councils in conjunction with the Metropolitan Council's Interim Strategy for the elimination of non-point source pollution in the Metro area. The Met Council has stated that comprehensive plan amendments may not be approved unless shoreland ordinances are in place for municipalities in the Metro area. Wetland Conservation Jim Gates provided an update as far as the Wetland Conservation Act Update LGU Act (WCA) of 1991 was concerned. The Wetland Conservation Designation Act basically protects all wetlands outside of the DNR protected wetlands. The DNR protected wetlands are under a specific program administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Both the cities of Richfield and Bloomington have applied to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for Local Government Unit (LGU) designation in conjunction with the Wetland Conservation Act. The permanent rules of WCA, initiated by the Board of Water and Soil Resources, went into effect January 1, 1994. There are some basic differences between the interim program and the permanent program of the Wetland Conservation Act. One of the major impacts is the two-to-one replacement required for wetlands in non-agricultural areas. If a project affects wetland areas within an outstate area, the wetland replacement is only a one-to-one requirement. There is also a requirement in the permanent program that the wetlands impacted and replaced must be monitored for a five year period. Again, there has been no funding appropriated for the implementation of the Wetland Conservation Act at the state level, only a minor appropriation for reimbursement for taxes lost as a result of some requirements of WCA. L' 6