Summary MN WRP Slides
The document outlines foundation actions to address threats to public health from bacteria in a river, reduce land-based impacts from stormwater runoff, and improve habitat for fish and aquatic life. It identifies focusing on hot spots for bacteria, managing pet waste and waterfowl, repairing sewers, using green infrastructure to reduce stormwater impacts, restoring floodplains, controlling phosphorus from sources like fertilizers, identifying riparian buffer opportunities, and reducing salt use. It also recommends removing concrete channels, barriers to fish passage, and invasive species to improve habitat, while enhancing access for citizens. Next steps include applying the analysis to more subwatersheds and identifying priority projects for implementation.
Summary MN WRP Slides
- 1. Baseline Year 2000 Conditions Data characterized for 18 assessment point areas
- 2. Location of Priority Areas Combined Results Indicates areas that WATs may want to focus on first “ Hot spots”
- 3. Foundation Actions ADDRESS THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH (BACTERIA) Identify places where recreation and body contact with the river are currently occurring. Identify areas where recreation/body contact is suitable or desired. Prioritize measures to reduce bacterial contamination in the areas identified above: Identifying riparian buffer opportunities Managing pet waste Identifying areas where waterfowl congregate Municipal actions such as repair of leaking or incorrectly discharging sanitary sewers.
- 4. Foundation Actions (cont.) REDUCE LAND-BASED IMPACTS TO THE RIVER Reduce water quality and quantity impacts from stormwater runoff, because excessive stormwater flow causes water quality, fish/wildlife habitat, flooding, and safety problems: Green Infrastructure and other Stormwater BMP’s Restore floodplain Reduce nutrient concentrations in the river, with a primary focus on phosphorus. Excess phosphorus fuels algae growth and excessive aquatic plant growth in the river and lake: CSO/SSO Reduction, TSS Removal Phosphorus Controls (fertilizers, non-contact cooling water) Identifying riparian buffer opportunities Reduce salt use Monitoring and education
- 5. Foundation Actions (cont.) IMPROVE HABITAT FOR FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE IN THE RIVER Remove concrete channel, starting downstream on the main channel and working upstream. Identify and remove barriers to fish passage, beginning on the main channel and moving second to the river’s tributaries. Identify aesthetic improvement opportunities – clean ups, reforestation, etc. Remove invasive species and identify habitat restoration opportunities. Improve access to enhance citizens’ ability to use and appreciate the River.
- 6. Next Steps June, July Meetings: Apply mapping & analysis to additional subwatersheds Debriefing meetings to characterize projects Interface with Steering Council & Science/Policy Committees Identification/recruitment of additional stakeholders Sept-Nov: Identify priority projects throughout the watershed, develop action plans, and begin implementation.