You’re invited to join the National Park Service for the November Mississippi River Forum–a unique opportunity to learn about issues impacting the Mississippi River, and to make sure other decision makers understand your perspective. December meeting information is also included below. Plan now to join us!
Friday, November 20, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
(NOTE TIME CHANGE)
“Drinking the Mississippi”
Art Persons. Planning Program Supervisor, Minnesota Department of
Health.
If you live or work in St. Cloud, St. Paul, or Minneapolis—including a number of surrounding communities—the water you drink comes from the Mississippi River. Yet, how often does that thought cross your mind as you drive over or boat on the river, or as you watch a snow plow apply salt to roads and bridges? Mr. Persons will discuss how three communities are responding to the need to protect the Mississippi River as a source of drinking water for one million Minnesotans. In addition, Mr. Persons will describe the work of the Health Department to integrate source water protection on the Mississippi River with the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)’s Upper Mississippi River Bacteria Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Project, thereby integrating the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act in protecting and improving the water quality of the Mississippi River.
Light breakfast provided. Free.
LOCATION:
McKnight Foundation
710-2nd Street South, Suite 400, Minneapolis, 55401.
Transit and parking information are available at
http://www.mcknight.org/about/offices.aspx.
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Friday, December 18, 7:30-9:00 a.m.
“Minimal Impact Design Standards–MN Takes the Lead”
Julie Westerlund, Minnehaha Watershed District
Participants of the Mississippi River Forum kick-off workshop in April heard about how land use is impacting Minnesota’s water resources. Consider this an update to that discussion! Earlier this year, Minnesota updated its approach to managing stormwater by passing legislation that directs the Pollution Control Agency to “develop performance standards, design standards, and other tools” to enable and promote improved stormwater management and better protect Minnesota’s water resources. The result is MIDS - Minimal Impact Design Standards. The MIDS project represents the next generation of stormwater management. It consists of three main elements that address current challenges: 1) A higher clean water performance goal for new residential development and residential redevelopment that will provide enhanced protection for Minnesota’s water resources; 2) new modeling methods and credit calculations that will standardize the use of a range of “innovative” structural and nonstructural stormwater techniques; and 3) a credits system and ordinance package that will allow for increased flexibility and a streamlined approach to regulatory programs for developers and communities. Come hear how the MIDS package will allow communities to adopt effective stormwater standards and techniques, meet regulatory requirements, and help Minnesota reach our clean water goals. Julie Westerlund is co-chair of the Low Impact Development Team of the MN Stormwater Steering Committee, which helped develop the MIDS project.
Light breakfast provided. Free.
LOCATION:
St. Cloud City Council Chambers
400-2nd Street South, St. Cloud, 56301.