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Water Resources

 

The Commission conducts lake and stream monitoring programs to track water quality and quantity conditions.  The Commission began monitoring Elm Creek and its tributaries in 1975 and the lakes within the watershed in 1980. The Commission conducts chemical physical and biological monitoring of the streams and physical and chemical monitoring of lakes.  The Commission may periodically participate in special studies if a need is identified or in larger projects such as a diagnostic-feasibility study of a lake, as funding allows.

 

Both grab samples and storm runoff samples are collected and analyzed for various parameters.  Analyses of the streamflow and water quality monitoring data for Elm Creek and its tributaries are summarized below.  Real time data from the monitoring station in Champlin may be viewed here.


Public Notice for the Small MS4 General Permit and the Municipal Storm Water Management Program Public Notice Process

 

On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) issued public notice for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) State Disposal System (SDS) General Permit (MNR040000) for discharges of stormwater associated with small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s).  The MPCA proposes to reissue NPDES/SDS General Permit No. MNR040000, with modifications.  The MPCA is requesting comments on the draft permit.  Comments should be submitted in writing in accordance with the provisions of the public notice.

 

The public notice also identifies that the MPCA intends to establish a special interest e-mail list for the purpose of providing notification to interested persons of the public notice dates for Stormwater Management Programs or SWMPs (formerly called Stormwater Pollution Prevention Programs or SWPPPs).  Requests to be placed on this e-mail list should be submitted in accordance with the provisions of the public notice.  NOTE: All MS4 permittees will automatically receive e-mail notification of all MS4 SWMP public notice dates.

 

As you know, the existing small MS4 General Permit expires on May 31, 2011.   Permittees who applied for reissuance of the permit may continue to operate under the terms and conditions of the expired permit (Minn. R. 7001.0160).  Permittees will need to comply with new requirements in the permit when the small MS4 General Permit is reissued, which the MPCA expects to occur by January 2012.

 

The public notice is available on the MPCA Public Notice Web site at:

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/iryp3c9

 

The public notice is also published in the May 31, 2011, State Register available at:

 

http://www.comm.media.state.mn.us/bookstore/stateregister/35_48.pdf

 

The draft permit, permit fact sheet, and supporting documents for the draft permit are available on the MPCA Municipal Stormwater Web site at:

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/aj0ra7a

 

To notify potentially affected or interested parties of this public comment period, notification is being sent via multiple e-mail distribution lists maintained by the MPCA, as well as over 600 individual mailings sent by U.S. mail.  Though MPCA staff worked to reduce duplication in the mail lists; due to the size of these mailings, we apologize in advance should you receive more than one e-mail message or mailing regarding this notice.