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DNR Update for the N&E Metro GWMA Project

GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY

Minnesota’s use of groundwater has increased over the last two decades, particularly in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. An increasing reliance on groundwater may not be a sustainable path for continued economic growth and development. The sustainability goal for DNR water appropriations is provided in MN Statute 103G: “The commissioner may issue water use permits for appropriation from groundwater only if the commissioner determines that the groundwater use is sustainable to supply the needs of future generations and the proposed use will not harm ecosystems, degrade water, or reduce water levels beyond the reach of public water supply and private domestic wells.”

The DNR is establishing the North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) to help improve groundwater appropriation decisions and help groundwater users better understand and plan for future development opportunities. More information about the GWMA will be posted on the

project webpage.

DNR HOLDS PROJECT ADVISORY TEAM MEETING

The North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area Project Advisory Team met for the second time on Thursday January 16, 2014. At the meeting several new members were introduced, DNR lead a follow up discussion on the draft working boundary, and introduced background materials evaluating the area against six management objectives for sustainable groundwater use articulated in the Draft Groundwater Strategic Plan. More details about the Project Advisory Team meeting follow.

 Working Boundary

After reviewing the basic reasons for undertaking a groundwater management area planning process, the team discussed an updated draft working boundary for the planning area. As proposed, the groundwater management plan area would be more or less bound by the St. Croix River on the east and the Mississippi River on the south and west, encompassing all of Ramsey and Washington Counties and the southern eight cities in Anoka County.

DNR received comments on the original draft working boundary first presented in October 2013 and came prepared to discuss those comments with the Advisory Team.   The comments received related to the exclusion of the Mount Simon aquifer from the GWMA and the exclusion of a small portion of the city of Minneapolis which lies east of the Mississippi River. DNR presented more information about the decision to exclude the Mount Simon aquifer and there was limited additional discussion.

 There was more discussion around the issue of excluding the small portion of Minneapolis. It was suggested that if our boundary is primary based on hydrogeology, it would make sense to include this part of Minneapolis. Additionally, there are high capacity groundwater users in the excluded area, and the City of Minneapolis is planning a groundwater supply as backup to their main water supply which would potentially involve placing back-up wells in this area. There is a strong case for including this area in the GWMA and DNR hydrologists agreed to give further consideration to including this area within the planning boundary.

 

The city engineer for Columbus also raised issues about the project area boundaries; he asked that the DNR reconsider the inclusion of the city in the Groundwater Management Area because much of the city is either state Wildlife Management Area property or wetlands that don’t involve groundwater withdrawals. Also, most homeowners in the low-density community have domestic wells that might be regulated if the city were included.

 

The DNR will continue to consider refinements to the draft working boundary and present any proposed changes at future Advisory Team meetings and in future updates.

Management Objectives for Sustainable Use

In order to determine future considerations for groundwater use and actions that may need to be taken, it is necessary to have some baseline understanding of current conditions and how they may influence the long-term sustainability of the resource. To begin addressing that, DNR hydrologists Paul Putzier and Glen Champion outlined a preliminary analysis for the North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area comparing current conditions to the six management objectives detailed in the Draft Groundwater Strategic Plan Consideration is also given to projected growth in groundwater use and potential impact to sustainability objectives.

Current conditions suggest sustainability challenges relative to groundwater use and impacts to surface water features and related ecosystems (Objective E). Additional actions may also be prudent to improve conservation measures and water use (Objective C). Further discussion of the analysis and the management objectives will take place at the next Advisory Team meeting.

UPCOMING PROJECT MEETINGS

February 14, 2014 Project Advisory Team Meeting.   The North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area Project Advisory Team will meet on February 14^th from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.

The meeting will include a discussion of Management Strategies 1 – Heightened priority for groundwater management, and Strategy 5 – Improving communications & education on groundwater issues. More information about the planned meeting will be posted on the project webpage.

Individuals do not need to be on the Advisory Team to attend. The Advisory Team meetings are open for interested parties to observe and time is available at the end of the formal meeting to provide comments and ideas.

For directions and parking information for the Central Office visit the parking webpage.

March 14, 2014 Project Advisory Team Meeting.   The North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area Project Advisory Team will meet on March 14^th from 8:30 to 11:30 am. The meeting will be held at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road in St. Paul.

PROJECT WORK

DNR staff continued work on the management objectives analysis for the management area, which includes a more detailed evaluation of:

•   Water use - current and future
•    Status of water appropriation permits
•    Water conservation measures
•    Water level trends for aquifers within the working boundary
•    Water dependent ecologic features and biological communities

In addition, project staff continues to meet with individuals and stakeholder groups to discuss the planning process. Recent meetings have included: City of Woodbury, MN Association of Watershed Districts, Washington County Consortium, NE Metro Water Supply Working Group, Minnesota Section of American Institute of Professional Geologists, and the Metro Cities Forum.

STAKEHOLDER KICK-OFF MEETINGS HELD FOR TWO OTHER GWMAs

On January 15^th and January 29^th people gathered to learn more about the Straight River and Bonanza Valley Groundwater Management Areas during the Department of Natural Resources stakeholder kick-off meetings.

The kick-off meeting for the Straight River was held at Park Rapids High School, Park Rapids and the Bonanza Valley GWMA kick-off meeting was held at the Brooten-Belgrade-Elrosa High School in Belgrade. For more information go the DNR’s GWMA webpage.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO ENGAGE

• February 14, 2014 - Project Advisory Team Meeting. DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul. 8:30 – 11:30 am.
• March 14, 2014 - Project Advisory Team Meeting.  Location of the meeting is to be determined.
• Web based Survey – Read the Draft Groundwater Strategic Plan, complete the survey
• Project Updates Available - For information about the project, updates have been posted on the project webpage.

CONTACT INFORMATION

 If you have questions about this project, please contact Paul Putzier (DNR project manager at 651-259-5692; paul.putzier@state.mn.us) or visit the DNR’s GWMA webpage.