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Minnesotans often have strong opinions about how best to protect our water resources. Their reasons are many: Our lakes, streams and groundwaters provide great fishing and swimming opportunities, a healthy source of drinking water, and are critical to supporting a strong economy. So it is no surprise that we value water resources highly, and that we each have a perspective of how best to protect them.
Early in my environmental career I recall a land-use conversation with my dad as we drove a local road near my hometown. “The best way to clean up the water is to start at the top of the hill” as he pointed to an area that is the highest point in the county. “There’s no sense doing anything at the bottom of the hill until we fix things up here.” That was one of many perspectives I’ve heard over the years that shows how people think about clean water in everyday life.
The variety of land uses in Minnesota produces many opinions on avoiding negative impacts to our waters. For me, particularly special are the times when the perspectives of many come together and define common direction for solving water pollution problems. In April 2010 the MPCA issued a new version of the water quality permit for industrial stormwater discharges. The new permit represented the consensus of interested Minnesotans on the best direction for stormwater controls into the future. For the first time, this culmination of perspectives led us to begin sampling and analyzing industrial stormwater. This monitoring allows us to more objectively review the performance of management practices and adapt based on the results. Fewer assumptions and less uncertainty led to more effective water protection.
As we begin work on the next permit’s five-year cycle, we will build on the successes in the last permit and increase our focus on reducing administrative challenges. We will align activities in a way that makes sense for the permit holders, and put the MPCA in a better position to support their efforts. Even though we may differ about what’s the best, or most important, way to solve our water protection problems, it is significant when we come together and find that common direction. Together, our mutual efforts will assure clean water for generations to come.
Have a great summer!
Jeff Stollenwerk
Industrial Water Section Manager
 Because the Industrial Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permit was issued April 2010, April 2013 is the official start of “Year 4” sampling requirements for permittees who were either unable to collect stormwater samples or had benchmark value exceedances.
If you have “Year 4” sampling requirements, it’s important that you know when your “Year 4” begins. For example, a permittee who received permit coverage on June 7, 2010 needed to collect their “Year 2” samples between June 7, 2011-June 6, 2012. If that permittee didn’t collect samples or had benchmark value exceedances in “Year 2,” their “Year 4” sampling requirements begins June 7, 2013.
Still not sure? Visit the Industrial Stormwater Permit Information Access to see if your facility has “Year 4” sampling requirements and to find out when your “Year 4” of sampling requirements begin.
June 26, 2013: The University of Minnesota’s “Response to Benchmark Exceedance Workshop” will teach facility staff how to respond to benchmark monitoring test result exceedances and how to select best management practices for stormwater pollution prevention plan modification. This event will not provide detailed design guidance for structure practices.
The workshop is designed for those interested in learning about industrial stormwater requirements, especially industry staff responsible for facility compliance with industrial stormwater regulations and for sites that have had test results indicating benchmark exceedances.
The event is scheduled for 10 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato, MN 56001. The workshop fee is $75. Click on this link for a registration form or more info.
In our March 2013 newsletter, we reviewed two of the top three training priorities identified by No Exposure-certified facilities. Now we’ll take a look at the third training priority, “Completing the No Exposure Application.”
Understanding the application questions is the crucial first step to ensure you are applying for the appropriate coverage for your facility. To help avoid future confusion, here are some of the possible changes we are considering for the No Exposure Certification application process for the 2015 permit:
- An improved checklist that identifies the facility’s areas that do not have any potential for exposure. After evaluation, if the facility cannot certify that each of the area do not have exposure, the potential for exposure exists and the facility is not eligible for the No Exposure certification.
- A ‘fill-in-able’ on-line application for No Exposure certification applicants (no paper copy application).
- Yearly verification/confirmation of continued No Exposure certification.
We welcome your thoughts now; you’ll have another opportunity to provide formal comments during the public comment period.
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