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6.b II Water_Resources Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 1 IV. WATER RESOURCES Water Resource Goals and Policies Goal: Preserve and protect the quantity and quality of surface water and groundwater. Policies:  Work cooperatively with all State and Federal agencies to comply with and enforce regulations and standards such as Shoreland Management Regulations, Erosion and Sediment Control Standards, Floodplain Regulations, and Stormwater management.  Identify sensitive groundwater recharge areas and groundwater dependent natural resources to guide development and land use to minimize potential contamination and incompatible uses.  Require developers to restore the ability of soils to absorb, retain, and infiltrate water following site development. Goal: Improve stormwater management and land stewardship practices. Policies:  Provide educational resources and materials to residents and businesses regarding water quality, stormwater runoff, best management practices, and impaired waters.  Incorporate low-impact techniques and best management practices on City owned property. Goal: Protect the natural and scenic resources of the St. Croix River Corridor, both within and adjacent to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Policies:  Work cooperatively with the National Park Service, Department of Natural Resources, and Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District and adopt their Local Water Management Plans. Goal: Ensure financial and environmental accountability for installation, maintenance, remediation, and management of any permitted private wastewater system. Policies:  In cooperation with Washington County, enforce strict conformance with regulations for the design, installation, and maintenance of on-site treatment systems including minimum design, licensing, and installation requirements of the Minnesota Rules Chapter 7080. Surface Water 1. Background The City completed its Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP) and it was adopted in (DATE PENDING). The plan serves as a comprehensive planning document to guide the City in conserving, protecting and managing its surface water resources. The plan was developed to meet the requirements of Minnesota Statutes 103B and Minnesota Rules 8410, to be consistent with the goals and policies of the Metropolitan Council’s Water Resources Management Policy Plan, and the goals and policies of the three watershed management Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 2 organizations that have jurisdiction within the City. The plan and its amendments will be by the City as an element of this Comprehensive Plan. The SWMP includes a detailed description of the City’s natural resources, including water resources, past studies and inventories, and current surface water management. An assessment of the existing and potential water resource and stormwater related concerns within the City and associated corrective actions are provided. The SWMP also includes goals and policies to address the long-term surface water management needs in the City, and outlines the regulations, standards, practices, projects and funding that will be needed to implement the goals and policies. The lakes and other critical environmental features in Scandia are one of the reasons the city is an attractive place to live. However, residential development on and near these lakes can impact the water quality and wildlife habitat if not properly managed. One of the primary concerns is the impact of impervious surfaces on water quality. In order to protect lakes from the negative impacts of development, federal, state and local authorities have established rules that protect natural resources against the impacts of development. The City of Scandia is generally subject to the following regulatory authority and strategic plans.  City of Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan  City of Scandia Ordinances  Carnelian Marine-St. Croix Watershed District, Watershed Management Plan, amended 2015  Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, Watershed Management Plan, 2012-2021  Rice Creek Watershed District, 2010 Watershed Management Plan, updates in 2018/2019  City of Scandia Comprehensive Plan Update, 2018  City of Scandia Development Code, 2011  City of Scandia, Shoreland Management Regulations, 2007  Washington County Groundwater Plan, 2014  Washington County Model Groundwater Rules, 2004  North and East Metro Groundwater Management Area Plan, 2015  Minnesota Department of Natural Resources North & East Metro Groundwater, 2015 Management Area Plan 2. Watershed Management Organizations Scandia is located in three watershed districts: Carnelian Marine-St. Croix, Comfort Lake- Forest Lake, and Rice Creek. This section briefly describes the most recent local water management plan for each of the three watershed districts within the City of Scandia, followed by a comparison of the goals, objectives and policies of each plan. Management districts and subwatersheds are also noted. Subwatershed plans provide more geographic and issue specific management within the larger watershed. Carnelian Marine-St. Croix Watershed District, Watershed Management Plan, 2015 About 78% of the City of Scandia falls within the CMSCWD, encompassing the whole eastern and southern halves of the city. The Carnelian Marine-St. Croix Watershed Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 3 District’s (CMSCWD) most recent watershed management plan was created in 2011 and was amended in 2015 to better address invasive species and groundwater quality. The plan contains the goals, policies and management plans of the CMSCWD and guides the watershed’s activities until 2020. CMSCWD also developed individual lake and stream plans for all waterbodies in the District. The plan includes a Focused Watershed Management process based on three levels of activity:  Routine Watershed Management for the non-impaired water resources of the District—these are the basic, day-to-day programs implemented throughout the District.  Impaired Watershed Management for water resources that are classified as impaired waters—includes completion of TMDL studies for impaired waters and implementation of the recommendations from these studies  Focused Watershed Management for non-impaired waters—includes efforts to protect non-impaired waters so they do not become impaired, by enhancing routine management activities on identified water bodies. CMSCWD completed a district-wide Wetland Management Plan in July 2010. An electronic version of the plan can be found on the District’s website. The plan includes a wetland function and value assessment, wetland management goals, management standards, buffer standards, and identification of Wetland Preservation Areas within the District. Based on the functions and values assessment, the plan includes a wetland classification system with four categories. The categories include:  High Quality/Highest Priority  Stream Corridor and Shoreland Wetlands  Isolated Wetlands  Utilized Wetlands Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District, Watershed Management Plan, 2011 The northwest quadrant of the city falls within the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District (CLFLWD). Drainage from the watershed enters the Sunrise River, a tributary of the St. Croix River. The CLFLWD’s most recent watershed management plan was created in 2011 with revisions adopted and approved by the BWSR in August 2015. The plan contains the goals, objectives, and actions of the CLFLWD and guides the watershed’s activities until 2021. The CLFLWD plan has eight core goals areas:  Floodplains  Lakes  Streams  Wetlands  Uplands Resources  Groundwater  Public Education  Interagency Coordination Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 4 Most of Scandia within the CLFLWD falls within the Bone Lake Management District. A small portion of the city (northwestern most corner) belongs in the Little Comfort Lake Management District. CLFLWD developed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan for Bone Lake, which is discussed in the section on Impaired Waters. The District completed a Partially Drained Wetland Assessment in 2014. Rice Creek Watershed District, Watershed Management Plan, 2010 (amended 2016) The Rice Creek Watershed District’s (RCWD) most recent watershed management plan was created in 2010. The plan contains the objectives, policies, and management strategies of the RCWD and guides the watershed’s activities until 2001. Only 0.2% of the City of Scandia falls within the RCWD. This area encompasses all of White Rock Lake and is part of the Hardwood Creek Planning Region. The primary issues within the Hardwood Creek Planning Region are related to water levels within Rice Lake, the lack of a well-defined regulatory floodplain along the Hardwood Creek, and appropriate management methods for Hardwood Creek and its riparian corridor. The RCWD’s 2010 Watershed Management Plan has 8 objectives:  Increase knowledge, awareness, and capacity for decision-making among District constituents  Manage water systems for their ecological and community value while  Recognize the origin and interconnectedness of water systems while planning for current and future needs  Improve diversity and ecological integrity of wetlands  Minimize damage to infrastructure and property caused by flooding and excessive runoff  Capitalize on open space opportunities to enhance water quality, reduce runoff volume, and enhance ecological resources  Incorporate groundwater into the decision-making process  Manage District property and resources responsibly Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 5 Map: Watershed Drainage Area Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 6 Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 7 3. Physical Environment and Land Use Public waters are all water basins and watercourses that meet the criteria set forth in Minnesota Statutes, § 103.005, subd. 15. Of the many wetlands and water bodies within the city’s boundaries, 40 of them have been classified as public waters in accordance with the guidelines of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Public waters within Scandia range in size from 2 acres to nearly 2,000 acres of water surface and include several water bodies of regional significance. Table XX provides information on all public waters and their acreage. The St. Croix River, a Federally- designated National Scenic Riverway, forms the eastern border of the city. Big Marine Lake, in the southwestern portion of the city, is the second largest lake in Washington County. Existing and future development in areas surrounding public waters should be carefully managed and planned to prevent adverse impact on water resources. Table XX – Waterbodies within Scandia Water Body Name Public Water Inventory ID Shoreland Management Classification Acres Alice 82-287 P Natural Environment 26.03 Big Marine 82-052 P Recreational Development 1902.59 Bone 82-054 P Recreational Development 218.47 Clear 82-078 W Natural Environment 35.28 Elwell 82-079 W Natural Environment 18.86 Falls Creek (Section 1.6.7.12) Wild and Scenic - Fish 82-064 P Natural Environment 64.99 German 82-056 P Natural Environment 151.20 Goose 82-059 P Natural Environment 84.04 Sylvan 82-080 P Recreational Development 108.25 Hay 82-065 P Natural Environment 59.32 Long 82-068 P Natural Environment 46.12 Nielson 82-055 W Natural Environment 49.65 Pitzl Pond 82-282 W Natural Environment 36.19 Rasmussen Pond 82-070 W Natural Environment 18.24 Sand 82-067 P Natural Environment 47.41 Sea 82-053 W Natural Environment 51.67 St. Croix River 82-001 P Wild and Scenic River - Washington 82-169 W Natural Environment 22.34 White Rock 82-072 P Natural Environment 80.88 Wojtowicz Pond 82-058 W Natural Environment 16.8 Unnamed 82-057 W Natural Environment 27.52 Unnamed 82-060 W Natural Environment 26.26 Unnamed 82-061 W Natural Environment 14.37 Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 8 Unnamed 82-062 W Natural Environment 17.44 Unnamed 82-066 W Natural Environment 33.75 Unnamed 82-081 W Natural Environment 41.29 Unnamed 82-171 W Natural Environment 14.54 Unnamed 82-172 W Natural Environment 26.95 Unnamed 82-173 W Natural Environment 10.49 Unnamed 82-174 W Natural Environment 26.49 Unnamed 82-210 W Natural Environment 25.12 Unnamed 82-211 W Natural Environment 10.84 Unnamed 82-212 W Natural Environment 17.46 Unnamed 82-213 W Natural Environment 10.88 Unnamed 82-280 W Natural Environment 19.48 Unnamed 82-281 W Natural Environment 7.46 Unnamed 82-283 P Natural Environment 8.46 Unnamed 82-284 P Natural Environment 2.08 Unnamed 82-285 P Natural Environment 14.73 Unnamed 82-286 P Natural Environment 5.17 a) National Wetland Inventory The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a national program sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Based on the NWI data, the City of Scandia has approximately 3,128 acres of wetlands. 4. Existing and Potential Water Resource Related Problems In 2015, 12 lakes in or partially located in Scandia were monitored as part of the Metropolitan Council’s Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP). In this program, lakes are sampled every two weeks from mid-April through mid-October. During each sampling, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and Secchi depth transparency were measured and recorded. A surface water sample was also collected and analyzed for total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and cholorophyll-a. Total phosphorus is a key measure of lake nutrients, chlorophyll-a is a measure of algae abundance, and Secchi depth transparency is a measure of water clarity. The Metropolitan Council uses the monitoring data to assign each lake a water quality grade using an A through F grading system. The grading system uses percentile ranges for three water quality indicators-summertime average values for total phosphorous, chlorophyll-a, and Secchi depth transparency. An overall grade is calculated as the average grade for the three individual grades. The individual grades given to the lakes can be seen in Table XX. Five of the monitored lakes yielded insufficient information, five were given a “C” grade, none were given a “B” grade, and two lake received an “A”. Table XX – CAMP Ratings for Lakes Within Scandia Lake Rating Alice Insufficient Data Big Marine A Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 9 Bone C Fish Insufficient Data German Insufficient Data Goose C Hay Insufficient Data Jellum’s Bay C Long B Sand C Sylvan A White Rock C Under the federal Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.) the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is required to set standards and assess Minnesota waters for impairments. The standards are set on a wide range of pollutants, including bacteria, nutrients, turbidity, and mercury. A water body is listed as impaired by the MPCA if it fails to meet one or more water quality standards. If a water body is listed as impaired, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) must be established for the pollutant, and plans must be created to reduce TMDLs. Scandia will be required to participate in TMDL plans for impaired water bodies within its borders. Figure XX shows the locations of impaired water bodies in Scandia while Table XX and XX provide detail on specific impairments. Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 10 Map: Impaired Waters Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 11 Table XX – Impaired Water Bodies in Scandia Water Body Nutrients Invasive Species PCBs Mercury Big Marine Lake X X Bone Lake X Eurasian watermilfoil; Curly-leaf pondweed Fish Lake X Goose Lake X Hay Lake X Long Lake X Sea Lake Eurasian watermilfoil; Curly-leaf pondweed St. Croix River X X White Rock Lake X Table XX – Water Bodies Listed on Minnesota’s 303 List Water Body Concerns Other Considerations Total Phosphorus Chlorophyll-a Secchi Transparency Fish Lake X X X Walleye Rearing Goose Lake X X Bluegill; northern pike Hay Lake X X Jellum’s Bay (Bay in Big Marine Lake) X X Walleye Rearing Long Lake X X X Walleye Rearing Source: Carnelian-Marine Watershed District TMDL Plan, 2011 5. Local Implementation Plan/Program Implementation of the Scandia Local Water Management Plan will require cooperation with local Watershed Districts to implement projects within the City that are identified in the District Plans. The City supports the projects identified in the District Plans and Capital Improvement Plans that are within Scandia, including the projects listed in Table XX. The CMSCWD plan describes three categories of activities that are included in the District’s Implementation Program: routine watershed management, focused watershed management, and impaired watershed management. Most of the activities included in these efforts are implemented by the District. Some are implemented in cooperation with local landowners and volunteers. Cost-share Program, and identifies several existing or potential water quality and environmental issues that will be addressed by the program. The District has ranked the proposed projects on a watershed basis. Many of the projects will be carried out in cooperation with private landowners. The CLFLWD’s Management Plan includes three categories of implementation activities: Administration, Programs and Projects. Administration activities are carried out by the Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Water Resources Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update ǀ N13112739 Page 12 CLFLWD. Programs include development of District rules and permitting activities, education and outreach. As noted above, the City concurs with and adopts the District’s Water Management Plan, standards and rules. The CLFLWD Districts will continue to enforce surface water regulations and permitting within the City, within its geographic area. A small portion of Scandia is included within the Rice Creek Watershed District—the area around White Rock Lake. The District’s Plan includes no implementation projects for the White Rock Lake area. The City supports the District’s efforts to study this lake and identify potential issues related to water quality and lake management. Table XX – Future Surface Water Improvement Projects Watershed District Project Improvement Cost Estimate1 Low High CMSCWD 205th Street – St. Croix River Bluff Erosion Control and Stormwater Quality Project $15,000 $25,000 Neighborhood Small Lot Stormwater Management Incentive Program in Downtown Scandia and Lake Neighborhoods $30,000 $50,000 TMDL Study Implementation Projects TBD – As Constructed Ravine Reconstruction $60,000 $85,000 Non-Specific Project in its Focused Watersheds, including Sand Lake $40,000/Year for 10 Years CLFLWD Bone Lake TMDL Implementation Plan – Numerous Projects TBD – As Constructed Water Quality Studies and Develop Management Plans for Sea Lake, Nielsen Lake and Clear Lake TBD – As Constructed Stream Assessment of the Bone-Birch- School-Little Comfort Lake Tributary TBD – As Constructed RCWD White Rock Lake (RCWD) No Projects Planned 1 Cost estimates include only stormwater related improvements.