MCWD considers two new rules required by state law
Proposals include minor changes to existing rules

Deephaven, Minn. -- The MCWD Board of Managers will be reviewing draft language for two new rules required by state law. The proposed Appropriations Rule fulfills a state mandate by the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) that watershed districts regulate the appropriation of public waters in Hennepin County. The proposed Illicit Discharge Rule fulfills the MCWD’s obligation to the MPCA as a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) owner and operator under the Clean Water Act to regulate illicit connections and discharges of pollutants to its MS4 system and watercourses in the watershed.

Additionally, the MCWD Board of Managers will be reviewing proposed minor revisions to existing rules. BWSR has requested that rules be reviewed following implementation to ensure clarity and public understanding. The proposed changes affect the following rules:

• Erosion Control – All proposed revisions are intended to provide clarification.
• Floodplain Alteration – The proposed changes include the elimination of riprap requiring mitigation to make it consistent with MCWD policy.
• Wetland Protection – Changes include providing greater clarity about how the Wetland Conservation Act interacts with the District’s rules as well as determination of buffer width.
• Dredging – The only proposed change is to fix a typographical error.
• Shoreline & Streambank Stabilization – There is improved language to provide consistency with other agencies.
• Stormwater Management – There is one change to the tables to clarify requirements based on parcel size.

The two new proposed rules and the proposed revisions to existing rules will be introduced at the MCWD Board of Managers workshop at 6:45pm Thursday, March 8 at District headquarters in Deephaven. The proposed rules revisions will be reviewed by the District’s Technical Advisory Committee prior coming back to the Board for approval and being sent out for a 45-day public comment period at the end of April. Following that the District will hold a public hearing to address any comments.

For more information, contact MCWD Regulatory Program Manager Steve Christopher at 952-641-4506 or schristopher@minnehahacreek.org.