Stormwater Steering Committee
The Stormwater Steering Committee, the state-wide group that put together the Stormwater Manual--is gearing up for more hard work. Different work groups are being formed (meeting this Tuesday at 3) and we're going to get all coordinated-up ... I'll keep you posted. Oh, and if you're interested in MPCA's role in the Red River Valley, you'll find it at their Red River Valley of the North Basin page. Red River Valley Image © 2006 MPCA

Inspectors Already Busy

I talked to Paul Estuesta (MPCA), one of the stormwater inspectors at the agency today and asked when they were going to start their flurry of springtime inspections. (I was told the inspection schedule got heavy in the spring.) You've got it wrong, he said, I've been making construction site inspections all winter--to prove his point he grabbed the handful of enforcement actions he's started since Jan. 1, 2006.

Stormwater damage at a construction site.

Image from MPCA © 2006.

Road Salt
Yesterday I spoke with Tim Larson (MPCA), an individual who works on TMDL projects. I wanted to find out what I "needed to know" about chloride TMDLs. He said that there are several recommended BMPs for the application of road salt--and that Mn/DOT has been taking this bull by the horns. I didn't know that Mn/DOT has road temperature sensors across the state ... or that their trucks are equipped with road temperature sensing equipment.

Larson said the biggest problem with the application of road salt is the 'bouncing effect' of dry, rock salt when it hits the road and goes for the ditch. He said ideally, the melting agent should be a liquid--and be applied before a snowstorm hits. That takes some coordination, but he said Mn/DOT does apply ribbons of the stuff on roads before a storm. Larson said in the best possible scenario, the salt goes on as a liquid and adheres to the road surface before the snow starts.

The cost of new, salt-efficient equipment for trucks shouldn't really save enough money to justify throwing out old equipment, Larson said, but new technology will probably be acquired with the retirement of the old stuff. Because the cost of salt is too low, there isn't a strictly economic incentive to change it out. But the cost on the environment is significant.

Water in the state is getting listed on the impaired waters list for chloride. Larson said chloride (for the most part) doesn't enter Minnesota waters from Minnesota sources--nearly all of it is applied in road salt.

I'm still learning ... Don't forget the Road Salt Symposium in St. Cloud, April 5, 2006.

MPCA Commissioner Kicks Off LID Workshop
Site designers who use 'low-impact design' are going to find economic as well as environmental benefits.
At the Minnesota Arboretum March 21, MPCA commissioner Sheryl Corrigan addressed an over-capacity workshop on LID techniques sponsored by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. She thanked participants for their interest in innovative approaches to stormwater management.
I'm hearing that the MPCA is working to organize a group to carry the message about stormwater pollution prevention across the state. Some of the members of this newly formed group may have attended this workshop. They're going to have to brush up on all the practical techniques homeowners can use to manage stormwater.
Photo courtesy Unsie Zuege, staff writer for the Chanhassen Villager

Minimum Control Measure #4: Construction Site Runoff Control
Well that's news to me. It was my thinking that MS4s wouldn't have to do much in the way of controlling construction site stormwater pollution because there's already a permit in place for construction-related stormwater.

In fact, MS4s are required under the new MS4 general permit to write an ordinance that holds developers/contractors to task for stormwater/litter controls at their construction sites. Specifically:

• An ordinance that makes BMPs sediment and erosion control necessary at construction sites that disturb over an acre (including ones less than an acre if they're part of a larger development)
• An ordinance that requires construction sites to control waste/litter
• Procedures must be in place for reviewing construction site plans, citizen complaints and for making site inspections.

Visual Guide to Stormwater Management: StormwaterAuthority.org

Whether you're a stormwater engineer, site owner/developer, contractor, or stormwater educator, you're going to like StormwaterAuthority.org, a Web site that's a compendium of national information on stormwater from the U.S. EPA, the Center for Watershed Protection, USDA, USGS, and state governments.

Beside BMP information, the Web site offers a regulatory link (at the top) which takes you to a state-by-state analysis of stormwater regulation. It's a good way to compare regulatory approaches and compare state regs with national ones. Minnesota's page is well organized.

Check out their library! It's loaded on all sorts of topics ... from SWPPPs to TMDLs. Their site is a cool blue color and looks professional. One neat feature is the BMP selector function for 'construction' and 'post-construction' BMPs:A list of BMPs for construction sites (above) leads to pages with descriptions (below).

Stormwater Isn't Clean Water
In my blog entry yesterday I talked about IDDE (not IEDs) as a requirement under the new MS4 General Stormwater Permit. While I've been brushing up on this MS4 permit, I've been writing a fact sheet on wastewater treatment in Minnesota and learned that it's not uncommon for wastewater to mingle with stormwater. (Very) interesting facts about wastewater:

• Domestic wastewater is 99.9% water, but it contains enough harmful material to damage the quality of ground water and surface water.
• Normal domestic wastewater is grey, resembling dirty dishwater
• Metals, organic pollutants, sediment, bacteria and viruses can all be found in wastewater
• It’s estimated that 39 percent of Minnesota’s backyard septic systems are not adequately treating wastewater. An estimated 12 percent (64,000) are classified as ‘imminent threats to public health and safety’

This is all to say that when sewer pipes are illegally (and sometimes mistakenly) connected to storm sewers, raw sewage trickles untreated directly into rivers and lakes. The job of Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination is to track down these connections. What's interesting is that testing water at outlets can sometimes 'fingerprint' the source.

Online permits a-coming
Tech staff might be looking for MPCA folks to test the new online construction stormwater permit as early as this week. When this thing comes through it will be a big help to MPCA staff and should also help construction companies and their consultants get permits fast and easy. Personally, I'm curious how easy it's going to be ... and whether it catches on. If you're in the business, let me know what you think about the plan or what you thought of the old online permit system.

Minimum Control Measure #3: Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination
Fondly known as IDDE, Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination is the third requirement in the six minimum control measures required by certain communities across Minnesota. Basically, an illicit discharge is when non-stormwater (wastewater, ground water, etc.) enters the storm sewer system. Check out the Center for Watershed Protection for more information.

Minimum Control Measure #2: Public Participation and Involvement
Public Participation and Involvement is the second of the six minimum control measures (MCMs) that MS4s need to include in their Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans. It seems to me that this is simply a complement to the first MCM (public education)--because it requires the MS4 to solicit ideas, suggestions and comments from their citizens about the adequacy of the best-management practices (BMPs) in their storm water plan. The requirements for MCM #2:

• Give citizens reasonable time to make oral statements
• Give consideration to submitted written statements
• Hold fair and orderly public meetings
• Adapt the SWPPP, if necessary, based on oral and written concerns

An example of good public participation: Patrick Henry delivering his celebrated speech (not about stormwater) in the House of Burgesses, Virginia - 1765 Library of Congress

Minimum Control Measure #1: Public Education and Outreach
As part of its MS4 General Permit application, cities like Cambridge, Minn. (my hometown) are going to have to put together a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with 6 major components. As with all cities in the MS4 program, they're going to have to show progress toward "measurable goals" in each of the minimuim control measures in their annual report to the MPCA.
Joe's Lake Road, Cambridge, Minn. Image from the Metropolitan Design Center Image Bank © Regents of the University of Minnesota. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The first minimum control measure is to get a Public Education and Outreach program going. It means that Cambridge will have to put together a program that educates citizens about the need to reduce stormwater discharges to the Rum River. The SWPPP will have to be pretty detailed about audiences and goals, desired changes in behavior, schedules and measures that will be used to grade educational effectiveness.

One requirement is to show what local organizations are doing in the area of stormwater education. If cities take this requirement seriously, they might find some synergy with local watershed organizations that will help reach citizens with the stormwater message. It's a thought.

Homeowners: Keep Stormwater Clean
1. Use plants to keep your soil from washing away
2. Use non-phosphorous fertilizer on established lawns
3. Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves
4. Reduce water runoff with a rain garden and a rain barrel
5. Keep paved surfaces to a minimum
6. Wash your car on the lawn
7. Keep chemicals away from storm sewer drains
8. Pick up pet waste
9. Aim gutter downspouts onto grass


Your favorite lakes and rivers are fed by your storm sewer.
© 2006 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Stormin' the State Fair
Work is underway to make a stormwater display for the 2006 Minnesota State Fair. The graphics and text are coming together for a large colorful display that trumpets the need for stormwater pollution/volume reduction. Of course it's hard to translate "wastewater treatment facility" and "phosphorous" into language children will understand, but it's coming and it's beautiful.

On the List for the New MS4 General Permit
My hometown of Cambridge (pop: 5,520 in 2000 census) made the list of cities with a population between 5,000 and 10,000 that need to get coverage under the MPCA's new MS4 General Permit. I haven't been active in local politics, but I imagine my city planner/engineer is going to be busy trying to meet its requirements by Feb. 2007.

Rum River Copyright © 2002 Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce

Cambridge is one of several cities that hosts the 'wild and scenic' Rum River. Even though it's a relatively small city--because it's located on an 'outstanding resource value water', city managers are going to have to meet some of the same stormwater management challenges faced by larger, urbanized areas like St. Cloud, Rochester and Moorhead.

It was Minnesota Rule 7090, put in effect Aug. 2005, that finally wrapped my hometown (and maybe yours) under the federally mandated water-protection rules.

When I get a chance, I'll try to outline some of the things smaller, previously unpermitted cities are going to need to do by next February.

Constructing an Online Construction Permit
A manager in charge of the stormwater program at the MPCA said he expects the online stormwater construction permit to be ready for the public by April 1. The new system should allow regulated parties to exit the application process then start again where they left off. It should also allow them to pay the permit fee online. The hope is to get everyone online--eventually. Online permit applications will allow construction site operators / owners a shorter wait-time. They'll be allowed to break soil after 48 hours and not wait seven days under the paper application process.
Without an online process in place, the agency will be flooded (like this 100-year storm event) with more and more paper applications. Picture © 2006 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Great Images of Metro Stormwater Management
Check out the over 17,000 shots of the Twin Cities by the Metropolitan Design Center--including many good aerial shots of stormwater ponds (this link is to a slide-show), etc. I was sent this link by Ron Struss of the University of Minnesota Extension Service. He writes:

This site is loaded with excellent photographs of Twin Cities water resources, predominately aerial shots. It is supported with a basic search engine that allows you to locate photographs by Cities, Bodies of Water, Parks, Roads, Landmarks, Developments, and Structures. An advanced search engine allows for even more detailed searches. They also have pre-made slideshows - ones of interest are titled "Growth/Sprawl", "Impervious Surfaces" and "Stormwater". If you like a particular picture in a slide show, you can search by photo number to download a copy.

Here's a picture of the Minneapolis skyline behind Lake of the Isles, Cedar Lake, and the Cedar Lake constructed wetlands.


© Regents of the University of Minnesota. Used with the permission of Metropolitan Design Center.

MPCA Partners With Lake Superior Streams
Lake Superior Streams is working with the MPCA to create a Web-based Design Kit that gives Duluth-area residents everything they need to know about reducing stormwater and stormwater pollution. The techniques described in the Design Kit are known by many names: Better Site Design (BSD), Low Impact Design (LID), Conservation Design, Smart Growth ...

"Lake Superior Streams is collaborating with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Pollution Prevention staff and others to include information from these approaches that will be useful to homeowners, contractors, developers, contractors, realtors and governmental agencies and decision-makers with the goal of reducing stormwater flows and pollutant loads in order to protect or restore our regional water resources."

The Web page Design Kit gives everyone ideas for everything from pervious pavers to rain barrels.

The Perils of Stormwater Management
One thing Minnesota stormwater managers don't need to worry about ...

This picture was taken at the Orlando Airport.

Minnesota Stormwater Blog

Stormwater Program Gears for New Season
It's difficult to talk about stormwater when you're anticipating 4-7" (or 5-9") inches of snow to blanket the southern half of Minnesota before tomorrow noon. That should make for a crazy commute. On the positive side, the cold snap puts off that inevitable flush of salt- and pollutant-filled water rushing into our favorite lakes and rivers.

The MPCA stormwater program is gearing up for a busy season with its regulated parties--the MS4 permit hit the books and permitted construction-sites will be watched more as it warms.

One big development this spring is online MPCA permitting (not yet available, but soon) for NPDES/SDS (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System) construction stormwater permits. There was an online permitting system in place last year, but it was withdrawn because of technical difficulties.

Now, I'm told, it should be in place before the spring rush--allowing permitted parties to begin construction much sooner than allowed under the current system. If a construction owner/operator applies for a stormwater permit today, they're required to wait 7 days from the postmarked date of their application before they drop the spade. Under the upcoming online process, construction may begin 48 hours later.

I'll give word when I get the news that the online process is up and running. Or better yet, add MPCA's Construction Stormwater Web site to your "favorites" menu and watch for its release yourself!

Minnesota Stormwater Blog

Subscribe to the MPCA's Stormwater News E-mail Listserv
I manage the listserv for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's stormwater program. Every week or so (sometimes more often) I send out news related to stormwater. We've got about 700 people across the state who want to get an e-mail when important stormwater news happens at the MPCA. For example, in February, I sent an e-mail about the revised MS4 (Municipal Small Separate Sewer System) General Permit (you'll have to scroll down on this link because the new permit/application is near the bottom of the page). Want to
sign up for the stormwater news listserv?
Minnesota Stormwater Blog

Event: Tuesday, March 21, 8:30 - 4:00
'The Latest in Low Impact Development:
Engineering and Landscape Design'
When: Tuesday, March 21, 8:30 - 4:00
Where: The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen
Got this one across the e-mail: It's not to late to sign up for this event, but they have limited space. MPCA commissioner Sheryl Corrigan will make some introductory remarks at the event and the Stormwater Program will have a display promoting the new Stormwater Manual.
To register, call the Arboretum at 952.443.1422 For more information, see http://www.minnehahacreek.org/.

Lilacs at the Arboretum © 1998 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota

Before the Snow Came


The blankets of beautiful snow that hid the cigarette butts, pop bottles and fast-food wrappers are rudely tossed aside by the warm weather we're having. Trash is the more obvious, but overlooked player in the menu of chemical and soil contaminants that are carried by stormwater into our favorite fishing holes and swim spots.

Frozen Stormwater: It's Going to Melt, Baby
Out my window at work right now, I see blowing snow, ice--and future stormwater. It took me three hours to travel the normal one-hour trip to work. If you're a stormwater runoff watcher, as I've become, you probably saw a lot of mud and dirt and pools of stormwater runoff in that thaw we had last week.
Even if we didn't get a lot of snow this time 'round, keep this in your mind for future reference: Ice and snow piled at the edges of parking lots can be full of road salt and chemicals. Those drifts hold the pollutants until spring, when they're released suddenly--at a time when the hydrologic cycle is least able to handle it.
The MPCA's Keith Cherryholmes gave a Jan. 11 interview with Kare 11 about the effect of salt in snowmelt:

Over the years, the salt has melted the ice then been dissolved by the resulting water and that salt filled water has run into wetlands, ponds, lakes and streams. "It doesn't go away. It doesn't get eaten by bacteria. It doesn't evaporate. It just builds up and builds up," says Keith Cherryholmes of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The story also announced that the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies is offering its Annual Road Salt Symposium. Sheryl Corrigan, commissioner of the MPCA, will deliver opening remarks at the April 5 event.
Minnesota Stormwater Blog

Don't be the Weakest Link
Add your stormwater-related link to the Minnesota Stormwater Blog! Send me an e-mail at danielmclean9 at gmail.com (replace the "at" with an "@")
Minnesota Stormwater Blog

Good Housekeeping at the Construction Site

1. Slope Stabilization
Mats, mulches and blankets get grass to grow and hold the soil in place until roots get a hold.

2. Perimeter Control
Silt fences stop silt in muddy water--but let the water go on through.
3. Maintained Silt Fences
Silt fences work, but they need to be replaced if they tear or fill with dirt (when they've done their job). You should replace them when dirt reaches the 1/3 the height of the silt fence's original height.
4. Gravel for Dirty Tires
A rock construction exit knocks mud off truck tires before it's tracked onto roads and finds its way into storm sewers.
5. Storm Sewer Inlet Protection That Worked
There are a variety of storm-drain protection techniques that do the trick. This one's a dirty one, but it caught the dirt before it filled a stormwater pond or muddied a stream. If you're looking for how-to instructions for keeping a clean construction site, check out this construction site field guide for stormwater management--and don't forget to check out the new Minnesota Stormwater Manual, and of course, you can always come back here, to the Minnesota Stormwater Blog!

Get More E-Mail!

I've found the cure for anyone with low-flow in their inbox. Go to https://lists.epa.gov/read/all_forums/ and sign up for one of the U.S. EPA's e-mail listserv options. I signed up for Region 5 news this morning ... It looks like they send out a fair number of them. Maybe every week or every couple days.
Minnesota Stormwater Blog

The Top Five Construction Stormwater Permit Violations:

1. Poor Slope Stabilization: Without stabilization, soil is vulnerable to stormwater erosion.

2. No Perimeter Controls: Without a silt fence, water carries sediment into lakes and rivers.

3. Silt Fences Not Maintained: Silt fences only work for so long, and then they need maintenance to work again.
4. Vehicles Tracking: Without a gravel pad, vehicles track dirt onto paved roads.
5. Missing Inlet Protection: Without inlet protection, sediment and litter fill storm drains.
Minnesota Stormwater Blog

It's About Our Environment

This is my first post to a site dedicated to preventing stormwater pollution in Minnesota. I came to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) in Aug. 2005 and I've been helping the stormwater program develop communication tools.

I'm new to stormwater, but I'm new to environmental protection in general. Before I came to the MPCA, I worked as an editor of a small newspaper in Scandia, MN called the Country Messenger (link may not work yet because the newspaper is developing a Web edition right now). Water issues were big there, especially for the residents of Marine-on-St. Croix who were getting into some contentious planning committee meetings over "impervious surfaces" and "viewshed."