Strategic Plan; Private Well Grants: Clean Water Council Update

Minnesota Clean Water Council sent this bulletin at 02/27/2020 07:00 AM CST

Draft Strategic Plan Available for Comment

Over the course of the last nine months, the Clean Water Council has been talking to stakeholders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors about the strategic direction the Council and the Clean Water Fund should take through 2034, when the Legacy Amendment expires.

The Council is pleased to share this draft, approved on February 24th, for public discussion. We would love to have your feedback or just answer any questions you may have.

Our objective was to develop strategies that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). We believe the set of strategies laid out in the plan will get Minnesota to more fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water between now and 2034.

Please send your comments and questions to paul.gardner@state.mn.us.

Read the Plan

Meetings & Project Updates

Upcoming Meetings

Clean Water Council Chair Frank Jewell and Administrator Paul Gardner testified in front of the Minnesota House Legacy Finance Division on Wednesday, February 26th about the Clean Water Fund. This followed up on a similar presentation in the Senate on February 19th.

Be sure to sign up for our Legislative Update/Bill Tracker e-mail bulletin that comes twice a week during the legislative session. E-mail bulletins feature new bill introductions and information about hearings for relevant legislation. Click here to sign up.

Full Council: Next meeting is Monday, March 16th from, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Topics: Brief overview of agency proposals for the FY22-23 Clean Water Fund recommendations on research, evaluation, and tool development. The packet from the February 24th meeting (Strategic plan wrap-up, Clean Water Fund Restoration Evaluation Report; U of M report on The Future of Drinking Water; MN Department of Health private well initiative; We Are Water Exhibit) is posted at our web site.

Policy Committee: Next meeting is Friday, March 27th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the MPCA. The presentations for the February 14th meeting featuring speakers on chloride reduction strategies; chronic wasting disease; and nitrogen have been posted at our web site.

Budget & Outcomes Committee: The next meeting is Friday, March 6th, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at MPCA. Presentations and handouts from the February 7th meeting (topics: structured dialogue with agencies on matching Clean Water Fund requests with strategic plan; soil and water conservation district funding discussion), have been posted.

Meetings at MPCA have WebEx capability for on-line viewing. Contact us for details. NOTE: WebEx recordings are moving to a new server. We will only have on-demand access to archived WebEx recordings for the previous six months.

Project Updates

Private Well Grants for Arsenic and Nitrate: The Minnesota Department of Health has issued a request for proposals for a Safe Drinking Water for Private Well Users Grant. The purpose of these Clean Water Fund grants is to promote private well testing among private well users and to provide financial assistance to eligible households to address private well water quality issues. Each entity will have the opportunity to apply for up to $100,000 to promote well testing for households that rely on private well water for drinking water. The grant will provide financial assistance to address high levels of nitrate and/or arsenic in the water for eligible households. Proposals are due on March 16th.

Grants to Lower St. Croix Watershed: Clean Water Funds have been awarded to several projects in Washington County (may not work with Internet Explorer browser) through a BWSR competitive grant process. Projects include an iron-enhanced sand filtration system that will reduce phosphorus in Forest Lake; restoration of Lily Lake in Stillwater; stormwater work in Marine on St. Croix; and drinking water quality protection in southern Washington County.

Sartell WRAPS meeting: The MPCA is hosting a public meeting to discuss the Mississippi River-Sartell Watershed Restoration & Protection Strategy (WRAPS) on Thursday, February 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. in Sartell. Click here for background on the Mississippi River-Sartell Watershed.

St. Louis River Area of Concern: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are seeking public comments on their joint recommendation to remove the Excessive Sediment and Nutrient Loading Beneficial Use Impairment from the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Comments can be submitted through March 24th.

Helping Business Conserve Water: Businesses seeking to save money by conserving water and reducing wastewater discharges, energy use, or industrial waste are invited to apply to the University of Minnesota’s Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) Intern Program. The Metropolitan Council’s water supply planning department, using Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment funds, supports the internship program for projects that help business and industry improve water efficiency.

Sustainable Water Management Conference in Minneapolis

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) will have its 2020 Sustainable Water Management Conference in Minneapolis between March 29^th and April 1^st. The conference will bring together water sector organizations and professionals from all over United States to discuss all aspects of resilient and efficient water management. AWWA's Sustainable Water Management Conference presents solutions for balancing the benefits of conservation with the costs, managing water resources, sustainable utilities and infrastructure, urban planning and design, energy efficiency, water conservation, stormwater, water quality and reuse.

The Keynote speaker for the conference is from Minnesota State Climate Office, talking about climate trends in Minnesota. The conference starts on Monday, March 30th, 8:30 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403.

For questions please Contact Dr. Ali Elhassan, Manager Water Supply Planning, Metropolitan Council, member of the conference organizing committee: ali.elhassan@metc.state.mn.us , (651) 602-1066.

We Are Water Exhibit at Science Museum through March 23rd

The We Are Water MN traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities. It is currently in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota through March 23rd. (No admission fee is required in the lobby.)

In addition, a new exhibit on karst geology and water quality will open in Wabasha this week. Supported by the Clean Water Fund and developed by the MPCA, this interactive exhibit includes components that show how water moves through karst geology; the challenges related to keeping groundwater safe for drinking; and how people can help protect water resources. The exhibit will also travel to Spring Valley and Preston before ending up at the State Fair Eco Experience in August.