Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization

Transcription

1 Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization Agenda I. Call Meeting to Order BOARD OF MANAGERS REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, JUNE 16, :00 A.M. Mendota Heights City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights II. Approval of the Agenda III. Approval of Minutes from April 21, 2011* IV. Approval of Treasurer s Report and Invoices to be Paid a) April 21, 2011 June 16, 2011 Financial Summary & Invoices* V. Grant Tracking Update** Barr VI. VII. VIII. IX. Official Approval of Barr s 2011 Monitoring Plan and Budget* Update on Request for PCA Funds for Restoration and Protection Projects* MN Waters Request for Program Membership* Update on Watershed Management Plan Review/Set Public Hearing Date X. Update on Blue Thumb Program and Request to Shift Funds* XI. XII. XIII. XIV. Review of BWSR s Performance Evaluation Report* Evaluation of NEMO Workshop at Science Museum* Other Updates and Handouts: a. West St. Paul Comp Plan Amendment ** b. Public Waters Permit in IGH** c. Shoreline Stabilization Project in Mendota Heights** d. Pilot Knob Preservation Association Press Release** e. December Program at Dodge Nature Center f. Dodge Nature Center Wetland Restoration Adjourn next meeting date and location *Materials attached in full packet **Materials available separately on website C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN 55024

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3 LMRWMO Meeting Agenda Item III. Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization DRAFT MEETING MINUTES Board of Managers Regular Meeting April 21, :00 A.M. Mendota Heights City Hall Managers in attendance: Mary Lou Sabin (Chair), Gary Johnson (Vice Chair), John Sachi (Secretary-Treasurer), Anne Weber, Mary Jeanne Schneeman, Bob Bullard, James Sullivan Others in attendance: Laura Jester, Dakota County SWCD; John Mazzitello, City of Mendota Heights; Janna Kieffer, Barr Engineering; Todd Hubmer and Jake Newhall, WSB & Assoc (partial attendance); Scott Thureen, Inver Grove Heights; Matt Saam, West St. Paul; Jack Frost, Met Council; Greg Genz, CAC I. Call Meeting to Order The regular Board meeting was called to order by Chair Sabin at 9:00 a.m. II. Approval of Agenda MOTION to approve the agenda by Sullivan, second by Johnson; passed unanimously. III. Approval of Meeting Minutes from March 31, 2011 MOTION to approve minutes from March 31, 2011 meeting with one minor grammatical correction by Johnson, second by Bullard; passed unanimously. IV. Approval of Treasurer s Report and Invoices to be paid a) March 31, 2011 April 21, 2011 Financial Summary and Invoices Sachi reported no invoices were received. MOTION to accept financial statement and submit information for official audit by Johnson, second by Sullivan; passed unanimously. V. Consideration of Draft Watershed Management Plan for Public Review Hubmer and Newhall indicated that most member cities reviewed and commented on the draft Implementation Table. They also noted the document, once adopted, should stay active and the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) should be reviewed annually and updated as needed. After some discussion, C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN PAGE 1

4 Hubmer said they would add language in the draft Plan regarding how the projects listed in the CIP are dependent on funding availability. He noted the Implementation Table reflects priority of projects rather than absolute timeline due to fluctuations in funding and grant opportunities. Newhall distributed a draft transmittal letter for sending the plan to review agencies, cities, and Citizen Advisory Committee. There were no comments on the letter. MOTION to submit the Draft LMRWMO Watershed Management Plan for 60-day review by Schneeman, second by Sullivan; passed unanimously. VI. Timeline for Plan Review Newhall distributed a memo regarding the anticipated timeline for Plan review process. He indicated the review agencies would receive hard copies and a CD while cities and CAC members would receive just a CAC of the draft Plan. The draft Plan would also be available on the website. There was discussion about what Board members or city staff should do to inform City Councils of the draft Plan. Hubmer indicated that nothing was required by law but, generally, councils should be briefed on the Plan. Official city resolutions stating acceptance of the Plan would be welcome but would be timelier when the Plan is formally submitted to the BWSR after the 60-day public review. VII. Grant Tracking Update Kieffer noted several grants currently available. Sabin wondered if it made sense to apply for the EPA s Environmental Education Regional Grant Program to support the efforts of the CAC. Jester indicated she didn t have time in the budget to put together a grant application that would likely be very competitive. VIII. Consideration of Lake Monitoring in 2011 Kieffer asked if the Board wished to monitor water quality in any water bodies in Jester reminded the Board that their current 2011 budget includes $10,000 for water monitoring. Thureen indicated he would like to see another year s worth of data on Dickman Lake due to the possibility of development within that subwatershed in the near future. There was considerable discussion about the value of monitoring one waterbody for two years in a row rather than gathering data on a new waterbody. MOTION to approve Barr Engineering up to $4,000 to collect monthly water samples in Dickman and Schmidt Lakes May September 2011, including chlorides, with a final proposal from Barr Engineering at the next Board meeting by Schneeman, second by Johnson; passed unanimously. C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN PAGE 2

5 IX. Other Updates and Handouts a. Update on April 30 th NEMO Workshop Jester reported currently 13 participants registered for the workshop b. Letter from City of St. Paul; no discussion nor action Other updates from staff (not on agenda): Mendota Heights staff met with Representative Hansen regarding water quality in Rogers Lake. Rep. Hansen may help get PCA funding for monitoring the Lake in Bullard wondered who was managing the Lexington/Riverside drainage improvement project. Currently, there is no project manager and it will likely be either Lilydale or Mendota Heights, although MnDOT could also be a candidate. Jester indicated that if the subject was contentious and in need of a neutral third party, it would be a role for the WMO. Inver Grove Heights hopes to start collecting a storm water utility fee in X. Adjourn MOTION by Sullivan to adjourn at 10:25 a.m., second by Schneeman; passed unanimously Next meeting is scheduled for June 16, 2011 at the Mendota Heights City Hall, 9:00 a.m.. C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN PAGE 3

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25 Summary of Grant Programs and Application Deadlines in Grant Tracking Database 6/8/2011 Application Deadline Grant Program* USFWS North American Wetland Conservation Act U.S. Small Grants Program Pre- Minnehaha Creek WD Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Fund BWSR Clean Water Assistance Grant Program BWSR Clean Water Accelerated Implementation Grant Program BWSR Clean Water Community Conservation Partner Program Grant Program BWSR Conservation Drainage Grant Program MDA Clean Water Ag BMP Loan Program NFWF Keystone Initiative Grant Program Met Council Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) Program October 27, 2011 September 28, 2011 application Form September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 September 1, 2011 August 1, 2011 July 29, 2011 USFWS North American Wetland Conservation Act U.S. Standard Grants Program July 15, 2011 Met Council Livable Communities Demonstration Account Grant Program June 30, 2011 NFWF Native Plant Conservation Initiative June 24 or July 8, 2011 MDNR Eurasian Watermilfoil and Flowering Bullrush Grant Program Deadline not yet announced FEMA Federal Aid Programs For State Of Minnesota Disaster Recovery June 2, 2011 MDNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Grants May 20, 2011 (Pre-application) Met Council Livable Communities Demonstration Account Grant Program May 15, 2011 Dakota County SWCD Conservation Cost Share (CCS) Program May 15, 2011 Dakota County SWCD Community Conservation Partnership Program May 13, 2011 MPCA Section 319 TMDL Implementation Grants May 13, 2011 May 2, 2011 May 1, 2011 April 4, 2011 April 1, 2011 (Pre-proposal) March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 30, 2011 March 22, 2011 March 4, 2011 February 28, 2011 February 15, 2011 February 14, 2011 February 14, 2011 February 14, 2011 January 31, 2011 MPCA Section 319 Developmental, Education, and Applied Research (DER) Grants USEPA Environmental Eduction Regional Grant Program Met Council Tax Base Revitalization Account (TBRA) Program MN Depth of Health Source Water Protection Competitive Grant Program NFWF Acres for America MDNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program (from Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council) USEPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program MDNR Regional Trail Grant Program MDNR Natural and Scenic Area Grants MDNR Local Trail Connections Program MDNR Parks and Trails Legacy Grant Program MDNR Regional Park Program MDNR Outdoor Recreation Grant Program MDH Source Water Protection Plan Implementation Grant Program USEPA Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program MPFA Clean Water Revolving Fund: Opportunity for Wastewater or Stormwater Projects to be included on MPCA's Project Priority List (PPL) for loans or grants MDNR Federal Recreation Trail Program BWSR Clean Water Legacy Lake Protection Challenge Grant NFWF Sustain our Great Lakes Community Grants Program NFWF Sustain our Great Lakes Stewardship Grants Program NFWF Five Star Restoration Matching Grants Program MDNR Solar Energy Legacy Grant Program * See Grant Tracking Database for further details 1

26 Summary of Grant Programs and Application Deadlines in Grant Tracking Database 6/8/2011 Application Deadline January 18, 2011 November 5, 2010 November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 November 1, 2010 October 15, 2010 October 15, 2010 October 15, 2010 October 1, 2010 Grant Program* MDNR Pilot Projects to control Eurasian watermilfoil or Curly-leaf pondweed on a lakewide basis MPCA Surface Water Assessment Grant Conservation Corp Minnesota Clean Water Fund Grants Environmental Assistance Grant for stormwater sediment contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). USFWS Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) Grant Program Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund Grants Program (ERF Grants) USEPA Brownfields Assessment Grants USEPA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program USEPA Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program MDNR Shoreland Habitat Restoration Grant Program Grant programs with no specific application deadline date or currently unfunded* MDNR Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Grants MDNR State Park Road Account Program MDNR Wetland Tax Exemption Program MDNR Water Recreation Cooperative Acquisition & Development Program SWCD State Cost Share Program MDNR Roadsides for Wildlife MDNR Reinvest in Minnesota Critical Habitat Match Program MDNR Native Prairie Tax Exemption Program MDNR Native Prairie Bank Program MPCA Targeted Brownfield Assessment Grant Program USFWS Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) MDNR Fishing Pier Grant Program MDNR Dam Safety Grants MPCA Clean Water Legacy (CWL) TMDL Development Funds MDNR Boat Access Washington County Conservation District Water Quality Cost-Share USEPA Targeted Watersheds Grants Program Dakota County SWCD Conservation Initiative Funding Program MDNR Forest Stewardship Program MDNR Remediation Fund (Landfills) MDNR Community Forest Bonding MDNR Native Shoreland Buffer Incentives Program BWSR Native Buffer Cost Share Program MDNR Environmental and Conservation Partnerships Grant Program BWSR Cooperative Weed Management Area Grants * See Grant Tracking Database for further details 2

27 Memorandum To: Lower Mississippi River WMO Board of Managers From: Janna Kieffer Subject: 2011 Water Quality Monitoring of Dickman and Schmitt Lakes Date: June 8, 2011 c: Laura Jester, LMRWMO Administrator At the LMRWMO s April 21, 2011 Board Meeting, the managers authorized Barr Engineering Co. to proceed with conducting the springtime (late-april) sampling and analysis of Dickman and Schmitt Lakes, but requested a cost proposal for the 2011 monitoring season, to be reviewed and acted upon at the LMRWMO s June meeting. Attached is the detailed cost proposal for monitoring of Dickman and Schmitt Lakes during the 2011 season. The total estimated cost is $3,970.75, which includes five sampling and analysis events in 2011: once in late-april, June, July, August, and September. For each sampling event, the field measurements will include secchi disc transparency, dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, ph, and turbidity and the laboratory analysis will include total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, and chloride. The cost proposal also includes development of a brief water quality monitoring summary at the end of the monitoring season.

28 2011 Lake Water Quality Estimate: Dickman/Schmidt Lakes LABOR Equipment Rental/Expenses/Laboratory Task Employee Billing Rate/Hour Hours Total Labor Type $/Day,$/miles Days/Miles Total $ Project Total Lake Monitoring DJM $ $ $ Lake Monitoring KSJ $ $ $ Equipment Rental Mileage ($0.55/mile) $ $44.00 $44.00 Equipment Rental Vehicle $ $90.00 $ Equipment Rental Multi Meter $ $ $ Equipment Rental Canoe $ $33.00 $49.50 Equipment Rental Kemmerer sampler $ $51.00 $51.00 Laboratory Analysis TP $ $ $ Laboratory Analysis Chl a $ $ $ Laboratory Analysis Chloride $ $ $ Data Tables/file maint. DJM $ $ $ Project Mgmt/Letter Rpt. JMK2 $ $ $ Estimated Project Cost: $3, Analytical: Surface--TP, Chl. A, Chloride (composite surface sample) 1 monitoring event during: April, June, July, August and September Field Measurements: 1 meter interval surface to bottom: D.O., Temp., Cond., ph Turbidity (surface only 0-2M) Dickman: 8 feet deep (2.4M) 0-2M sample (TP, Chl a, Chloride) Schmidt: D6 feet deep 0-1M sample (TP, Chl a, Chloride) P:\Mpls\23 MN\19\ \WorkFiles\WQ Monitoring\Dickman-Schmidt-2011 WQ Data\Dickman-Schmidt-2011 WQMonEst final June 2011

29 Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization LMRWMO Meeting 6/16/11 Agenda Item VII. MEMO To: LMRWMO Board of Managers From: Laura Jester, Administrator Date: June 8, 2011 RE: Update on Request for PCA Funds for Restoration and Protection Projects As you know, on March 31, 2011 Barr Engineering submitted a request to PCA on the LMRWMO s behalf to complete TMDL/Lake Protection Studies on four lakes (Sunfish, Thompson, Pickerel, and Rogers) and their associated watershed areas along with appropriate TMDL reports and Implementation Plans. The request was $130,000. Here is an update on that process. Barb Peichel (PCA) recently indicated it would be a good idea to have a workplan ready by the end of August so a contract can be more quickly expedited once funds are available. If there is NOT a government shutdown and a Clean Water bill passes the legislature (it has not yet), the PCA should know the funding level in July. PCA staff indicate our project is likely to be funded (although perhaps at a lower level than requested) based on funding levels in past years. The development of a workplan, although a necessary step in the process, would be at the WMO s expense. While the PCA indicates that the workplan does not need to be long and complicated, we recommend it be comprehensive to protect the LMRWMO s interests. The workplan will lay out the project tasks, schedule, budget, and deliverables. Based on Barr s experience, workplan development requires review from multiple PCA staff, and often requires several iterations before a workplan is approved. At this time, Janna Kieffer and I are requesting authorization from the Board to spend a few hours meeting with PCA staff to review the needs and expectations of a workplan and also discuss contracting requirements and options. An outcome of the discussion will be a summary memo for the Board of Managers regarding options for consideration. A tentative meeting date with the PCA is set for July 19 th at Barr Engineering. It is hoped that by your July 21 st Board meeting, more will be known about the State s budget and the proposed funding allocation for the LMRWMO TMDL/Lake Protection Study, and further discussion and decisions can be made regarding the development of a workplan. C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN 55024

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35 Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization MEMO To: LMRWMO Board of Managers From: Laura Jester, Administrator Date: June 8, 2011 LMRWMO Meeting 6/16/11 Agenda Item X. RE: Update on Blue Thumb Program and Request to Shift Funds 2011 Blue Thumb Program in LMRWMO to date: 32 participants at the introductory presentation in West Saint Paul 10 project designs completed at the two-night design course in Inver Grove Heights (18 participants) 6 project applications received and all were funded (1 shoreline, 4 raingardens, 1 native garden); SWCD is currently assisting homeowners with layouts and installation Attendance at workshops was lower than expected. This was likely due, in part, to the wrong registration phone number published in West Saint Paul newsletter. Additionally, one city published the workshop announcements after the workshops were completed. Current Funding Levels: After 6 projects are funded, $3,500 will remain in the landowner incentive budget, along with the corresponding $3,500 for technical assistance There is a second round of grant applications with a deadline of August 1 st. There may be some Blue Thumb applicants, but we do not anticipate many since there were a limited number of workshop attendees. SWCD requests the ability to utilize the remaining funds through other SWCD incentive programs (Community Cost Share and Conservation Initiative Fund) for larger projects in the LMRWMO, if they arise in C/O DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT TH ST. WEST SUITE 102 FARMINGTON, MN 55024

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37 2010 Lower Mississippi - WMO PRAP Report Page 1 of 1 5/24/2011 Home Easements Grants Resource Management and Planning Conservation Implementation Wetlands Performance Review and Assistance Program 2010 Watershed Management Organization Performance Report LGU Name: Lower Mississippi - WMO = Basic Practice or Statutory Requirement = High Performance Standard (optional ) Performance Category Performance Standards Level of Review Rating Administration Activity report: annual, on-time, content complies with MR 8410 I Yes Planning Comprehensive Management Plan: up-to-date I Yes Administration Financial report & audit completed within last 12 months I Yes <<< Gun Club Lake WMO Lower Rum River WMO >>> Start Over Jump To: Lower Mississippi - WMO 2010 Print Report Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul, MN (651) Fax (651) TTY (800) An Equal Opportunity Employer Website viewing tips webmaster Job Postings

38 PRAP Level II Review Part 2-Performance Standards 2011 LGU Name: WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Performance Area Basic practice or Statutory requirement I Annual Compliance High performance (optional) standard Performance Standard Level of Review Rating (see instructions for explanation of standards) II BWSR Staff Review & Assessment (1/5 yrs) Yes, No, or Value YES NO Activity report: annual, on-time I Financial report & audit completed on schedule I Administration Consultant RFP: within 2 yrs for professional services Personnel policies: written and reviewed/updated within last 5 yrs Data practices policy: reviewed/updated within last 5 yrs Board training: orientation and cont ed record for each board member II II II II Staff training: orientation and cont ed record for each staff member Operational guidelines exist and current II II Watershed Management Plan: up-to-date I Planning Capital Improvement Program: reviewed every 2 yrs City/twp. local water plans not yet approved Plan goals and objectives guide annual budgeting II II II % Execution Total expenditures per year (past 10 yrs) Water quality trends tracked for priority water bodies Watershed hydrologic trends monitored / reported II II II see below Communication & Coordination Website: contains annual report, financial statement, board members, contact info, watershed mgmt plan Functioning advisory committee: recommendations on projects, reports; 2-way communication with Board Communication piece: sent within last 12 months Website: contains meeting notices, agendas & minutes; updated after each board mtg; additional content Track progress for I & E objectives in Plan Obtain stakeholder input: within last 5 yrs Partnerships: cooperative projects/tasks done with neighboring districts and organizations, counties, cities, non-governmental organizations Coordination with County/City/Twp by WMO Board members or staff I II II II II II II II

39 LMRWMO Meeting 6/16/11 Agenda Item XII. Opportunities for Stormwater Management - Capturing the raindrop during street reconstruction and redevelopment A Northland NEMO Workshop for Communities in the Lower Mississippi River Watershed including the communities of St. Paul, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake, and Lilydale Program Summary Date: April 30, 2011 Program: NEMO Workshop at the Science Museum of Minnesota Objectives: To increase the knowledge of water & natural resources in the Lower Mississippi River watershed communities, identify the issues, concerns, and upcoming challenges or decisions regarding them. Introduce the SPRC Stormwater Manual and other resources that may be used to build knowledge and implement stormwater best management practices in a community. Foster and build an increased relationship with the community local decision makers and leaders for future collaboration in stormwater management. Provide resources & next steps for community leaders. Participation: 19 local elected & appointed leaders including several staff members. Communities participating: St. Paul Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights, Dakota County, Lilydale, West St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and various local officials and representatives from LMRWMO Board, Advisory Committees. Presenters: John Bilotta, NPS, Laura Jester, and Mike Isensee. Summary and highlights: from 16 evaluations received All participants indicated a strong measure of value by participating in the workshop: o 100% agreed the resources provided would help them consider issues or recommend ideas regarding water resources within the watershed. o 93% indicated they gained significant knowledge about the water and natural resources in their community. o 85% indicated they would be able to identify current and future water and natural resource issues or problems within the watershed. All the participants agreed that holding the workshop at the Science Museum made them more likely to attend. What will local leaders (participants) do as a result of their participation at this workshop. How will they apply the information? 58% said they would apply the concepts and ideas learned to community projects. Indications included: o Pass-on information to city council and planning commission. o Attempt to incorporate BMPS into city projects. o Suggest different practices based on ideas presented at the workshop. LMRWMO NEMO workshop summary JBilotta April 2011

40 33% said they would apply the concepts learned to projects at home. The participants found the mix of presentations, resources and information, case studies, and discussion very useful. Participants want more information on rain gardens, permeable pavers, and lake management best management practices. LMRWMO NEMO workshop summary JBilotta April 2011