July 13, 2016 cac meeting packet

Citizen Advisory Committee 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 13, 2016 – Capitol Region Watershed District 1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4, Saint Paul, MN 55108 Agenda

Materials Enclosed

7:00

I)

Welcome, Announcements and Updates – Introductions

7:05

II)

Public Comment for issues not on the Agenda (3 minutes per person)

7:08

III)

Approval of the Agenda

7:09

IV)

Approval of Minutes A) Approval of the May 11, 2016 Minutes B) Approval of the June 8, 2016 Minutes

7:10

V

District Initiatives for Review, Comment and Recommendations A) CRWD History Study, Pat Cavanaugh B) Targeted Watershed Program – Urban Lakes Renewal

8:15

VI)

CAC Initiatives A) 2016 Service Learning Student Update

8:40

VII)

Project and Program Updates A) Snelling Midway Redevelopment Project Update B) Trout Brook Stormwater Interceptor 5 Year Inspection and Repair Plan C) McMurray Field Transportation Improvements Project Update

8:50

VIII) CAC Observer Update

8:55

IX)

Discussion A) New & Old Issues B) CAC Observer for May 18 and June 1, 2016 Board of Managers Meetings C) 2016 Meeting Schedule

9:00

X)

Adjourn

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Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, May 11, 2016 – 7:00 p.m.

CAC Members Present: David Arbeit Bill Barton Pat Cavanaugh Steve Duerre Claudia Hochstein Mike MacDonald Rick Sanders Michelle Ulrich Richard Weil Gwen Willems

Others Present: Joe Collins, CRWD Board President Bob Fossum, CRWD Belinda Gardner, CRWD Britta Suppes, CRWD

Members absent: Rick Sanders, w/notice Kathryn Swanson, w/notice Welcome, Announcements, and Updates Mr. Duerre opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Duerre asked for any announcements or updates. No announcements or updates. Mr. Duerre asked for any public comments. Mr. Barton commented on his visit to the Lauderdale site. Mr. Barton commented that the site is classified as a stormwater pond, but he believes that is should be classified as a wetland. Mr. Barton and Mr. Arbeit requested more information and follow up on the Lauderdale project. Mr. Fossum agreed to report back to the CAC at a future meeting.

III. Approval of Agenda Mr. Duerre asked for any additions or changes to the Agenda. No additions or changes.

CAC 16-015 Motion: To approve the CAC May 11, 2016 agenda.

MacDonald/Arbeit Unanimously approved IV. Approval of the April 14, 2016 Minutes CAC 16-016 Motion: To approve the April 14, 2016 minutes.

Willems/Weil 1

Unanimously approved V. District Initiatives for Review, Comment and Recommendations A)

2015 Lakes Monitoring Report, Britta Suppes

Ms. Suppes provided an update to the CAC on the 2015 Lakes Monitoring. In 2015, CRWD staff carried out the recommendations outlined in the 2014 Enhanced Lake Biological Monitoring Work Plan, including initiating annual fisheries surveys on each CRWD lake, increasing the frequency of macrophyte data collection during the growing season, performing additional spring and fall water quality sampling, and continuously monitoring water level from April-October. The data collected through these expanded efforts are included in the 2015 Lakes Monitoring Report.

There are five lakes within the boundaries of CRWD: Como Lake, Crosby Lake, Little Crosby Lake, and Loeb Lake in St. Paul, and Lake McCarrons in Roseville. Each lake is collaboratively monitored by Ramsey County Public Works (RCPW), Ramsey Conservation District (RCD), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and CRWD to assess overall health, compliance with water quality standards, and to determine if each lake supports its designated uses for swimming, fishing, and/or aesthetics. Data has been collected annually on each lake for varying periods of record, with the Como Lake dataset being the longest in dating back to 1984.

B) 2016 In-Lake Management Update, Bob Fossum Mr. Fossum provided an update to the CAC on the 2016 In-Lake Management and reviewed diagrams with the CAC. Additionally, recent water quality data from Lake McCarrons indicates that there likely has been a reduction in the effectiveness of the 2004 alum treatment that is beginning to impact water quality. Finally, during this year’s CRWD and City of St. Paul Directors Meeting, a goal of de-listing Como Lake and improving its water quality was agreed to by both agencies.

Achieving the water quality goals for Como Lake and Lake McCarrons will require a combination of watershed management practices and in-lake management practices. Staff have developed a diagram to help depict all of the work needed to achieve the goals for use with our stakeholders. The diagram includes past work and future work, including new in-lake management activities in District Lakes. Staff feel it is important that all involved understand all of the work needed and how in-lake management fits into the broader lake and watershed management approach.

Mr. Arbeit commented that there should be more done at Como Lake with citizen engagement. Mr. Fossum stated that more time is needed to analyze the data more before we offer the info to the public, but that citizen engagement at Como Lake is something that will be critical to project success.

VI. CAC Initiates A) 2016 Service Learner Student Update McDonald stated that the student learner has a good finished project for the CAC and asked the student to present to the CAC board in July.

B) 2016 CAC Tour Planning “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”

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Mr. Fossum reviewed the tour agenda. Ms. Willems asked about the invitation list. Ms. Willems said it would be nice if the Mayor could meet us on site.

VII. Project and Program Updates A) McMurray Field Transportation Improvements Project Update Mr. Fossum stated that the project could be something similar to Upper Villa project. The project would accommodate 88 acres of untreated run off that now goes directly in to Como Lake.

VIII. CAC Observer Update Ms. Cavanaugh provided an observer update on the Master Stewards Program and the changes to that program and also the approval of a Diversity Plan RFQ. IX. Discussion A) New & Old Issues B) CAC observer for May 18 and June 1, 2016 Board of Managers Meetings C) 2016 Meeting Schedule A) New & Old issues No discussion B) CAC Observer for the Board of Managers Meetings April 20, 2016 and May 4, 2016.

No discussion C) 2016 Meeting Schedule The CAC would like to hear an Alum treatment update X. Adjourn CAC 16-017 Motion: To adjourn the May 11, 2016 CAC Meeting.

MacDonald/Hochstein Unanimously approved The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM. Respectfully submitted, Belinda Gardner W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Minutes\2016\April 14, 2016 Draft Minutes.doc

“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�

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Citizen Advisory Committee Annual Summer Watershed Tour Wednesday, June 8, 2016 – 5:30 p.m.

CAC Members Present: David Arbeit Bill Barton Pat Cavanaugh Steve Duerre Claudia Hochstein Mike MacDonald Rick Sanders Michelle Ulrich Richard Weil Gwen Willems

Others Present: Joe Collins, CRWD Board President Hallie Finucane, RWMWD Bob Fossum, CRWD Belinda Gardner, CRWD Forrest Kelley, CRWD Michelle Sylvander, CRWD Mary Texer, CRWD Board Seitu Jones, CRWD Board

Members absent: Nicole Soderholm, w/notice Kathryn Swanson, w/notice

Citizen Advisory Committee Annual Summer Watershed Tour 1) Arrive 5:40 – Curtiss Pond Improvement Project, Bob Fossum 1551 Iowa Ave Parking area just west of Iowa Ave and Arona St intersection, Falcon Heights In 2014, CRWD in partnership with the City of Falcon Heights constructed a large underground detention and infiltration facility adjacent to Curtiss Pond under the ball field. This project increases storage area for floodwaters and increases the footprint of infiltration while delivering water to best soils for infiltration on the site. Additionally, the inlet structure of the facility included an automated valve system that allows the pond to be drawn down prior to heavy rainfall to provide more flood storage. This system is automated and decisions to open the valve are based on real-time forecasts continually accessed from the National Weather Service. The constructed system includes 390’ of 10-ft. perforated pipe that stores and infiltrates floodwater.

Leave Curtiss Pond at 6:10 2) Arrive 6:20 – Victoria Street Wetland, Forrest Kelley 1971 Victoria St., Roseville In order to complete a 2015 project that reconstructed Victoria Street and extended the pedestrian path from the Cemetery north to County Road B, a small amount of permanent wetland fill was 1

determined to be unavoidable. In order to create new wetland to replace the loss of wetland at a 2:1 ratio, the City of Roseville and CRWD partnered to purchase a 1.6 acre parcel of land adjacent the existing wetlands.

Leave Victoria Street Wetland at 6:35 3) Arrive 6:45 - Upper Villa Park Stormwater Improvement Project, Forrest Kelley B-Dale Club, 2100 North Dale St, Roseville In 2012, CRWD was awarded a $275,000 grant from MPCA to design and construct volume reduction BMPs within the Lake McCarrons Subwatershed. An additional $360,000 grant was provided by BWSR to combine stormwater harvest and reuse with infiltration to protect Lake McCarrons and the Villa Park Wetland System. Construction of the 60,000 cubic foot infiltration pipe gallery and 13,000 cubic foot concrete cistern started in November of 2015 and was substantially completed in December. The system captures runoff from the 250 acre drainage area and utilizes the real time adaptive controls to monitor water levels in the cistern and irrigate the softball field behind the B-Dale Club.

Leave Upper Villa at 7:25 4) Arrive 7:30 – Villa Park North Wetland Restoration Project, Forrest Kelley View from Upper Villa Park Trails, Roseville The Roseville Parks Department has initiated a vegetation restoration project throughout the city. CRWD provided a $22,400 grant to complete a wetland restoration project within the Northern portion of Villa Park.

The goals are to provide additional hydrology to a previously drained and farmed wetland by removing drain tile, and installing a series of ditch checks. The City also removed invasive buckthorn and will restore native wetland vegetation.

Leave Upper Villa Wetland at 7:40 5) Arrive 7:45 - Mueller Bies Funeral Home Permit Site, Forrest Kelley 2130 North Dale St, Roseville The Mueller-Bies Funeral Home parking lot expansion required a CRWD Stormwater Management Permit due to its location adjacent to the Villa Park Wetland. In order to treat runoff from the 8,000 square foot parking lot expansion, the applicant constructed a small raingarden to filter the water prior to discharge to the open channel that drains into Villa Park.

Leave Mueller-Bies at 7:55 6) Arrive 8:00 - Villa Park Improvements, Bob Fossum View from Villa Park Overlook 445 N. McCarrons Blvd, Roseville In 2009, Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) completed the Villa Park Wetland Management Plan that identified multiple projects/solutions to dealing with the elevated phosphorus loads that were entering Lake McCarrons in Roseville. The project goal is accomplished by the following project objectives: • Remove 17,360 cubic yards of sediment from Wet Pond, Wet Cell 5, and Wet Cell 1.

• Dewater the sediment through the use of 3,005’ of 60-ft. diameter geotextile tubes.

• Improve residence time by creating additional storage in each of the basins.

• Increase phosphorus removal by an estimated 118 lbs/yr The project was completed during the summer of 2013 by CRWD through hydraulic dredging methods and dewatering through geotextile tubes in partnership with the City of Roseville at a construction cost of $1.2 “Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.”

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million. The sediment removed had high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and arsenic which required disposal of about two-thirds of the sediment in a landfill.

Leave Upper Villa at 8:15, return to office around 8:30 W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Minutes\2016\June 8, 2016 Draft Minutes.doc

“Our mission is to protect, manage, and improve the water resources of the Capitol Region Watershed District.�

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DATE: TO: FROM: RE:

June 3, 2016 CRWD Board of Managers Pat Cavanaugh, Citizens Advisory Committee Minnesota Historical & Cultural Heritage Grant Application

Background Following the annual awards event last December I became curious about the history of CRWD. Mark and I had a discussion about the timeliness of pursuing historical research, particularly oral histories. My background in qualitative methods as well as historical and policy research made this a fit for me, so I attended an information session to learn about the eligibility of the project for a Legacy Grant. The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) staff were extremely enthusiastic, especially given the prominence of water on the public agenda.

Details  The grant program appropriate for the project is small grants ($10,000 or less) in a series of three separate phased grants. The phases consist of: 1) Oral History, 2) Research and Writing, 3) Interpretive Programs and Public Education.  Grant applications are due July 8. Grant rounds occur quarterly.  This application would be for Oral Histories only, with a target of approximately 15 oral histories collected. MNHS protocol requires professional transcription, which is covered by the grant.  The product of Phase One would be the written transcriptions. Public access to the transcripts is required.  Priority is given to grants with some matching funds in order to demonstrate the commitment and capacity of the organization. A small match of $500 would be appropriate for this purpose.

Discussion Funding the project through a Legacy Grant has several benefits: 1) the MHS protocols structure the project and ensure its compliance with the highest standards of historical research; 2) CRWD use of the Legacy Amendment logo on our future materials provides recognition by the public, other agencies, and similar that CRWD has a holistic, broad-based approach to water management, outreach, and education; 3) it provides an additional revenue stream (albeit a small one).

The project will enhance and support the expanding outreach and education efforts in general. In addition, the background of the researcher will ensure sensitivity to any threads related to diversity and inclusion in support of the development of CRWD diversity planning.

The project has potential to function as a pilot and model for further research into water policy and create a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s varied watershed districts, underscoring CRWD’s high standards in water management. Although the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources has initiated the One Watershed, One Plan program, the governance of water will always be complex. Documenting, interpreting, and understanding the historical development of watershed districts can only assist in these efforts.

The working historical structure for the project consists of three periods: pre-watershed district (WMO); the formation period; and the period before paid staff (1998-2003).

Action Requested Authorize Administrator to apply for a $10,000 Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant for an Oral History project and commit $500 in matching funds.

W:\01 Administration\Organizational History\Memo Cavanaugh to Board June 3 2016.docx

DATE: TO: FROM: RE:

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14)

June 9, 2016 File Mark Doneux Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant – List of Possible Interview Candidates

David Arbeit, Original and current CAC Member, District 10 Environment Committee Member (Petitioner) Mike Perneil, Former District 10 Environment Committee Member (Petitioner) Mike Thienes, Original and current Board Manager Tom Petersen, former RCD and CRWD Administrator Terry Noonan, Project Manager Ramsey County Public Works (ret.)

Janice Rettman, County Commissioner Bruce Elder, City of St Paul Public Works, Sewer Utility Anne Weber, City of St Paul Public Works, Sewer Utility Matt Moore, former Board Conservationist, BWSR Jim Haertel, Metro Region Supervisor, BWSR, (retired) Steve Woods, former BWSR Assistant Director Susan Schmidt, Former District 10 Environment Committee Member (Petitioner) Judy Sventek, Met Council Jay Riggs, former Board Manager

W:\01 Administration\Organizational History\List of Possible Interviewees.docx

Our Mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources of Capitol Region Watershed District.

Capitol Region Watershed District – Urban Lake Renewal Project Responses to BWSR Targeted Watershed Program RFI:

1) Strength of watershed as candidate for this demonstration program a. Why would the proposed watershed and its associated water resource be a good candidate for this program?

The Urban Lake Renewal Project is an excellent candidate for the Targeted Watershed Program because Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) has completed detailed analysis of the subwatersheds, has already implemented a variety of projects that provide measurable benefits, and the actions needed to meet subwatershed pollution reduction goals are known. Funding for this project will result in significant measurable progress towards meeting pollution reduction goals for impaired Como Lake, and will reverse a declining water quality trend in Lake McCarrons. Adding to this project’s candidacy is CRWD’s extensive knowledge on the current quality of these lakes and causes of impairment from years of monitoring. CRWD has proven expertise in installing water quality improvement projects such as the Arlington-Pascal stormwater BMPs and the Villa Park wetland restoration, and water quality improvement activities are well supported by the communities. Projects resulting from the Urban Lake Renewal Project funded through the Targeted Watershed Program will improve water quality in impaired Como Lake, and protect the quality of unimpaired Lake McCarrons. Since both of the lakes ultimately drain to the Mississippi, the River will benefit from this project as well. b. Describe significance of water resource (economic, recreational, fish and wildlife habitat, source water impact).

Como Lake and Lake McCarrons are both critical regional water resources. Como Lake is in the nationally recognized Como Regional Park in Saint Paul. The park is the second most visited park in the region with an estimated 4.48 million visitors each year. It is a tremendous economic and recreational draw containing a zoo, conservatory, waterpark, golf course, picnic areas, ball fields, and over two miles of paved trails. Como Lake is 100% accessible to the public and hosts a variety of events each year aimed to connect people with the resource including the DNR’s “Take a Kid Fishing Weekend” and “Bugs Night Out” hosted by CRWD. Como Lake is part of the DNR’s FiN program, and surveys show the lake has healthy fish populations for anglers including sizeable walleye, northern pike, and a variety of panfish.

Lake McCarrons, located in Roseville, is CRWD’s highest quality recreational waterbody. At 75 acres it supports a variety of activities including swimming, boating, and fishing. A County Park on the east end of the lake provides public access, picnic areas, and a popular beach with the only designated public swimming beach in CRWD. Lake McCarrons is also part of the DNR’s FiN program and is highly visited by anglers. Recent fish surveys show a healthy balance of predatory and prey fish with plentiful angling opportunities. c. Describe land use, hydrologic connections, soils, topography, and ownership patterns.

The land use in the Como and McCarrons subwatersheds is overwhelmingly high density residential with some small areas of commercial and institutional land use. See Map 1 for more details. Both lakes are hydrologically connected to the surrounding land through municipal storm sewer systems as well as ponds and wetlands. Though the lakes are not connected to each other, they both discharge to the Trout Brook storm sewer which eventually discharges to the Mississippi River. Soil maps are limited in information since the majority of the area was developed prior to widespread soil mapping. However, CRWD has installed many projects in the area and has found the soils to be generally favorable for infiltration. There is little significant topography in the project area with less than 150 feet of elevation difference between the highest and lowest points. The largest piece of public land is Como Regional Park owned by the City of St. Paul. A significant area west of Lake McCarrons is dedicated parkland and owned by the City of Roseville. d. Identify watershed plan references. Include the plan title, section, page number and a weblink if one exists.

CRWD 2010 Watershed Management Plan– Section: Issues and Goals (p. 15) Goal 4.1 (p. 22): Reduce the chemical pollutant load to District lakes, wetlands and the Mississippi Goal 4.1.a – 4.1.d: Water quality goals for Lakes McCarrons, Como, Loeb, and Mississippi River Goal 4.2 (p. 23): Reduce physical pollutant load to District lakes, wetlands and the Mississippi River

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Goal 7.1 (p. 26): Collect monitoring data and perform research to gather valuable information Goal 11.1 (p. 30): Coordinate efforts with partners to ensure the most cost effective uses of funds Section: Implementation Plan (p. 35) Como Lake Subwatershed (p. 72) Como Lake Subwatershed BMPs (p. 96) Lake McCarrons Subwatershed (p. 75) Lake McCarrons Subwatershed BMPs (p. 99) Lake McCarrons Management Plan (Clean Water Partnership Diagnostic Study) Management Goals & Objectives (p. 30), Management Actions (p. 37), Implementation Plan (p. 47) Como Lake TMDL 5B. Results (p. 31): Table 11. Phosphorus Loads to Como Lake (see Table 4 in Exhibit B for details) 6B. TMDL Allocations (p. 32-33): Table 12. Overall Load Reductions (see Table 5 in Exhibit B for details) 9. Implementation Strategy (p. 40), 9A. Watershed Load (p. 40), 9B. Internal Load (p. 41) e. Define the specific water quality concern, needed reductions, proposed activities, and project goals.

The Urban Lake Renewal Project will address goals for both Como Lake and Lake McCarrons. The two lakes are dissimilar systems with very different goals. However, the methods to achieve those goals are nearly identical. Meeting water quality goals for each lake will require a combination of watershed treatment and in-lake management strategies.

Water Quality Concerns – Como Lake is listed as impaired for aquatic recreation. The identified stressor is “nutrient/eutrophication biological indicators” and Phosphorus is the primary pollutant causing the impairment. The watershed load to Como Lake is approximately 34% (625 lbs/yr) of the total load, internal load is 65% (1,190 lbs/yr), and the remaining 1% (20 lbs/yr) is atmospheric deposition. In order to meet TMDL requirements, a 60% (376 lbs/yr) reduction in watershed load and a 97% (1,154 lbs/yr) reduction in internal load are needed. Lake McCarrons has some of the best water quality in the metro area. However, recent years have shown gradually increasing TP and Chl-a concentrations resulting in shallower transparency depths. Average annual TP and Chl-a concentrations in 2014 were the highest observed since the alum treatment in 2004. This is to be expected given additional inputs from the watershed and a predicted alum lifespan of 8-20 years. In order to address the declining water quality, both watershed and internal pollutant loads need to be addressed.

Watershed Treatment – Large Scale BMPs –CRWD and the City of Saint Paul will further evaluate a large, regional BMP at McMurray Fields on the south side of Como Park as well as other BMPs identified in a previous subwatershed study. The projects could treat about 80 acres of currently untreated subwatershed and result in over 20 pounds of annual TP reduction.

Significant progress has been made in addressing the watershed load to Lake McCarrons. CRWD recently dredged the ponds upstream of the lake, and an $850,000 watershed improvement project will come online in 2016 treating 250 acres (about 25%) of the subwatershed. An additional large-scale BMP has been identified at Parkview School that would treat 111 acres and remove an estimated 37 lbs/yr of TP. This project will also be further evaluated as part of the Urban Lake Renewal Project.

Clean Streets Initiatives – The Urban Lake Renewal Project will also distribute BMPs throughout the subwatershed by focusing on practices that treat, remove, or prevent pollution in the streets. A recent Como Lake subwatershed stormwater inventory identified areas of the subwatershed that are being treated effectively as well as areas that currently lack adequate treatment which allows CRWD to prioritize efforts in areas with little or no existing treatment. A similar effort will be completed for the Lake McCarrons subwatershed. CRWD estimates 50-100 rain gardens could be installed treating up to 10 pounds of TP annually while also increasing public awareness of stormwater issues. Additionally, recent studies have shown that street sweeping can be an extremely cost-effective way to reduce pollutant loads. CRWD plans to approach the cities of Roseville and St. Paul about developing a program of more frequent and targeted street sweeping in the two subwatersheds. CRWD is also involved with two community driven lake protection efforts. The “Adopt-a-Drain” program and “Como Curbside Cleanup” initiative are made up of over 350 volunteers who take extra steps to prevent leaves, trash, and other debris from entering storm drains. The programs currently prevent over 7,000 pounds of trash and organic debris and over 11 pounds of phosphorus from reaching the lake. The Urban Lake Renewal Project will expand both of these initiatives in the Como Lake and Lake McCarrons watersheds.

CRWD estimates watershed treatment efforts of the Urban Lake Renewal Project will achieve over 25% of the TMDL watershed phosphorus load reduction (100 pounds reduction) for Como Lake. It will also result in treatment of a significant untreated portion of the Lake McCarrons subwatershed which will increase the effective life of in-lake management strategies.

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In-Lake Treatment – The Urban Lake Renewal Project will also involve in-lake management strategies to address phosphorus concentrations. Over the past several years CRWD has expanded monitoring to include surveys of fish, phytoplankton, and zooplankton in both Como Lake and Lake McCarrons. In 2016, lake sediment cores were collected and analyzed. This additional monitoring will provide the information needed to determine the best approaches for addressing in-lake phosphorus loading. Recommendations developed may include aluminum sulfate (alum) application(s), managing the fish populations, and harvesting and removing dense aquatic plant growth. One of the first tasks of this project will be to develop management recommendations, costs, and estimate load reductions based on the information collected. The Como Lake TMDL identified a 97% reduction needed in in-lake phosphorus (1,154 pounds). A previous alum treatment in Lake McCarrons demonstrated its ability to reduce the average TP concentrations to under 20 µg/L, well below the goal of 33 µg/L established in the lake management plan. f. Describe how resource of concern aligns with Nonpoint Priority Funding Plan statewide priorities.

Como Lake is an impaired waterbody with an approved TMDL. A great deal of work has been done to understand the lake system and its contributing watershed. Lake water quality data has been collected for over 30 years, and stormwater inputs have been monitored for 10 years. Significant progress has been made to reduce external loads to the lake. The Urban Lake Renewal Project will help further the process of removing the lake from the impaired waters list by targeting efforts in untreated areas and addressing internal loading.

Lake McCarrons is not impaired, but is trending towards poorer water quality. The lake water quality data dates back over 25 years and CRWD has been monitoring stormwater in the subwatershed for 10 years. CRWD has taken significant steps to address the stormwater load and has increased monitoring to better understand the internal load. The Urban Lake Renewal Project will result in a reversal of the declining water quality trend and ensure it does not become impaired. g. Provide map that outlines proposed watershed, monitoring, and jurisdictional boundaries. See Map 2, attached.

2) Extent of water quality and quantity monitoring a. Describe the extent to which water quality and quantity monitoring has occurred to date in the proposed watershed.

CRWD conducts one of the most robust stormwater monitoring programs in the State and understands the crucial role long term monitoring records play in decision making. Water quality data for both Como Lake and Lake McCarrons cover the last 25 years. The lakes are monitored for several water quality parameters including nutrients, water clarity, and chlorophyll-a.

Recently, CRWD added population surveys for fish, zooplankton, and phytoplankton for both lakes, and lake sediment cores were collected in early 2016. Stormwater monitoring in the lake subwatersheds spans the last 10 years and includes full water quality stations consisting of automated samplers and water level and velocity sensors. Samples are collected during both baseflow and stormflow periods and are analyzed for a suite of water quality parameters including nutrients, sediment, metals, and bacteria. Monitoring reports from 2005-2014 are available on the CRWD website. b. Include table that details the monitoring location(s) along with the year(s), month(s), and parameter monitored.

Type

Year

Stormwater

2005-2015

BMP

2006-2015

Lakes 1984-2015 Precipitation 2005-2015

Parameter Site Number Level, Velocity, Discharge, Temp., Cl, TP, Ortho-P, Dissolved P, TSS, VSS, FW5, FW6, FW7, FW8, FW9, FL1, FL2, TKN, NH3, NO2, NO3, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, TDS, SO4, E coli, Hardness, CBOD FL6, FL8, FL9, LL2, LL3, LL8, LL12, LL14 Level, Velocity, Discharge, Cl, TP, Ortho-P, Dissolved P, TSS, VSS, TKN, NH3, FW10, FW11, FW12, FW13, FW17, FW18, NO2, NO3, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, TDS, SO4, E coli, Hardness, CBOD FL3, FL4, FL5,LL1, LL5, LL7, LL9, LL11, LL13 Level, Temp., Transparency, DO, Spec. Conduc., Turbidity, TP, SRP, TDP, Chla, Cl, TKN, NH3, NO3, Alkalinity, Hardness L1, L2 Precipitation R1, R2, R3, R4 ,R5, R6

c. Describe any plans to monitor this watershed in the future.

Existing monitoring of both lake water quality and stormwater will continue for the foreseeable future, and monitoring sites will be added as new projects are completed. If awarded grant funding, non-grant funds will be utilized to modify or add monitoring locations in order to track and report project effectiveness.

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3) Local knowledge of pollution sources and pathways within the watershed a. Describe breadth of knowledge your organization has about the pollution sources and pathways within this watershed.

CRWD has invested heavily in identifying pollution sources and cost-effective ways to address them. Multiple studies have been commissioned to further identify pollution sources, pathways, and treatment options for both Como and McCarrons subwatersheds. These studies include the Lake McCarrons Subwatershed Analysis Report, Lake McCarrons Management Plan, Villa Park Wetland Management Plan, Como 7 Subwatershed Analysis Report, Como Lake Management Plan, Como Lake TMDL, and the Como Regional Park Stormwater Inventory. CRWD has identified areas with adequate treatment, areas that need more treatment, specific locations for BMPs, and the BMP types best suited to achieve treatment. b. Describe methods and results of inventory and targeting done to date to identify the most critical pollution sources.

In addition to the previously mentioned Como Lake TMDL, multiple subwatershed analyses that inventory and target pollution sources and identify projects to address the sources have been completed in the watershed. Methods and results for 3 completed studies are outlined below: Como Park Stormwater Inventory and Watershed Analysis Methods: The inventory effort consisted of extensive documenting of all existing BMPs in the Como Lake subwatershed. Those BMPs were then added to a calibrated model (based on CRWD monitoring) to determine volume, TSS, and TP reductions achieved by the BMPs. Results: The inventory and analysis resulted in a precise understanding of the pollutants generated in the subwatershed, the benefit of existing treatment facilities, and the current annual stormwater discharge to Como Lake. Additionally, the analysis provided detailed maps of where BMPs are installed and meeting CRWD goals, and areas of the subwatershed that have little or no treatment where we can focus future work.

Como 3 Subwatershed Analysis Report Methods: A catchment of the Como Lake subwatershed was evaluated for flooding potential and water quality improvement options. Modeling of water quantity (XP-SWMM) and quality (P8) were completed to assess current conditions and proposed projects.

Results: Multiple new opportunities for large and small scale BMPs were identified, including the McMurray Field project.

Projects could treat 80 untreated acres and remove about 20 pounds of phosphorus per year. Improvements to existing infrastructure were also identified. Many of these projects have been implemented, but more work can be done to improve water quality and alleviate flooding.

Lake McCarrons Subwatershed Analysis Report Methods: This study completed a systematic search for water quality improvement projects throughout the Lake McCarrons subwatershed. Identified project were reviewed for feasibility and modeled for water quality benefit with a goal of reducing TP load to Lake McCarrons by 45 pounds per year. A cost/benefit analysis for each project was completed to assist in project prioritization.

Results: Large-scale projects were identified with costs ranging from $290,000 to over $1.5 million and phosphorus removal estimate ranges from 17 lbs/yr-48 lbs/yr CRWD will continue to pursue partnerships with Roseville to implement projects in order to achieve water quality goals for Lake McCarrons.

4) Landowner interest in the watershed a. Describe the known level of landowner/occupier interest and willingness to participate in implementing actions.

CRWD has a record of successfully implementing projects and programs through both private and public partnerships, and the Urban Lake Renewal Project will build on that record. Project partners work with CRWD through every stage of a project from diagnostic study through project installation. Projects include small-scale rain barrels and rain gardens on residential properties, wetland restoration efforts upstream of Lake McCarrons, iron-enhanced sand filter retrofit of an existing pond, and a complex multi-million dollar storm sewer realignment project, to name a few. CRWD manages grant programs to incentivize water quality improvement projects and partners with local cities to implement BMPs during road reconstruction.

Based on the success of so many previous projects, ongoing education efforts, and incentives provided for installing BMPs, CRWD anticipates partner willingness to participate in water quality improvement actions will continue to expand.

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b. What evidence supports the conclusion?

The success of Adopt-a-Drain and Como Curbside Cleanup with over 350 participants clearly demonstrates the importance of local water resources to the community and their willingness to participate. Cities in CRWD have also been willing to participate in water quality improvement actions as demonstrated by the number and scope of projects and programs covering the area. Projects include the Arlington-Pascal stormwater BMPs, Curtiss Pond, William Street Pond iron-enhanced sand filter (IESF) retrofit, Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary IESFs, and Villa Park wetland restoration. CRWD has also partnered with the cities of Roseville, Falcon Heights, and St. Paul on multiple road reconstruction projects that included large-scale BMP implementation above and below ground. The award-winning Inspiring Communities Program is actively ensuring residential BMPs are included in City of Saint Paul sponsored housing redevelopment projects, and CRWD grant programs are in high demand as they provide technical assistance and project funding to private landowners and public entities for project implementation each year.

5) Financial and technical resources available, local expertise, and project budget a. Describe the expected financial and technical resources available and the relevant experience within the watershed area.

For the years 2016-2020 the 2010 CRWD Watershed Management plan identifies over $1.4 million in capital investment alone for water quality improvement efforts within the Como and McCarrons subwatersheds. In many cases, CRWD is only providing partial funds for projects that are also being funded by local public and private partners, making the total investment into the area substantially greater. CRWD has broad in-house technical expertise in water resource monitoring and water quality improvement project management, as well as access to a pool of engineering firms who specialize in project identification, design, and installation. These strengths combined with extensive historical and future monitoring planned for the area will illustrate how grant-funded actions result in significant water pollution reductions. b. Describe additional technical resources needed locally to implement this project.

Strong in-house and partner technical resources would be needed and are already in place. CRWD has a staff of 14, four of which are dedicated to full-time water quality improvement project management. Additionally, CRWD frequently works with local municipal partners, Ramsey County, engineering firms, neighborhood organizations, and private landowners to implement projects. CRWD has the resources to handle every aspect of project implementation including identification, design, public outreach/education, construction management, and monitoring. c. Include an overall budget for the requested Clean Water Funds.

CRWD is requesting $3.0 million in Clean Water Grant Funds and has committed the required 25% ($750,000) cash match for a total project cost of $3.75 million. An estimated project budget is below.

Urban Lake Renewal Project Draft Budget Targeted Watershed Grant Task Admin (CRWD Funded) Project Development Engineering Construction Large Scale BMPs Clean Streets Initiatives In-Lake Management Total

Match

Grant

Total

$0 $30,000 $120,000

$0 $120,000 $480,000

$0 $150,000 $600,000

$200,000 $90,000 $310,000

$800,000 $360,000 $1,240,000

$1,000,000 $450,000 $1,550,000

$750,000

$3,000,000

$3,750,000

W:\02 Budget and Finance\Grants\2016\BWSR Targeted Watershed\Application\CRWD Responses_2016 BWSR Targeted Watershed_FINAL.docx

Page 5 of 5

Urban Lake Renewal

Targeted Watershed Grant 2016-2020

Grant Request:

Urban Lake Renewal Project Draft Budget Targeted Watershed Grant Task Admin (CRWD Funded) Project Development Engineering Construction Large Scale BMPs Clean Streets Initiatives In-Lake Management Total

Match

Grant

Total

$0 $30,000 $120,000

$0 $120,000 $480,000

$0 $150,000 $600,000

$200,000 $90,000 $310,000

$800,000 $360,000 $1,240,000

$1,000,000 $450,000 $1,550,000

$750,000

$3,000,000

$3,750,000

Grant Award:

Urban Lake Renewal Project Draft Budget Targeted Watershed Grant Task Admin (CRWD Funded) Project Development Engineering Construction Large Scale BMPs Clean Streets Initiatives In-Lake Management Total

Match

Grant

Total

$0 $30,000 $120,000

$0 $120,000 $480,000

$0 $150,000 $600,000

$200,000 $90,000

$800,000 $360,000 not funded

$1,000,000 $450,000

$440,000

$1,760,000

$2,200,000

Preliminary Budgets: Como Lake 100 lbs. TP Reduction Project Estimate TP Red. Estimated Cost McMurray 60 lbs. $1,000,000 BMP X? >10 lbs. $500,000 Clean Street Initiatives (CSI) 10-30 lbs. $30,000 CSI - Rain Gardens (30-50) 6-10 lbs. $250,000 Total 86-110 lbs. $1,780,000 Lake McCarrons 37 lbs. TP Reduction Project Estimate TP Red. Estimated Cost Parkview 37 lbs $1,000,000 Clean Street Initiatives (CSI) 10 lbs. $20,000 Rain Gardens (10) 2-5 lbs. $50,000 Total 50-55 lbs. $1,070,000 Grand Total

$2,850,000

W:\02 Budget and Finance\Grants\2016\BWSR Targeted Watershed\Urban Lake Renewal Award Summary.docx

Urban Lake Renewal Project Who is CRWD? CRWD’s mission is to protect, manage and improve the water resources in its 41-square-mile watershed which includes portions of Saint Paul, Roseville, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale and Maplewood. CRWD has a population of 250,000 and 42% of the land cover is impervious.

CRWD work through Water Resource Projects and its Regulatory,Research & Monitoring, Education & Outreach and Grants Programs.

Examples of Previous Grant Projects • • • •

CRWD staff install a rain garden monitoring station LITTLE CANADA

Arlington Pascal Stormwater Project Green Line Green Infrastructure Upper Villa Stormwater Improvement Project Highland Ravine Stabilization Project

ROSEVILLE MCCARR ONS LAK E

MAPLEWOO

Swimmers at Lake McCarrons

CRWD Recognition

FALCON HEIGHTS

2015 – WEF National Municipal Stormwater and Green Infrastructure Awards: gold for innovation and silver for program management 2014 – MAWD Project of the Year Green Line Green Infrastructure

The Urban Lake Renewal Project will result in collaborative projects and programs with municipal and community partners that Como Lake Fish Survey

improve water quality in two of the State’s Paul and Lake McCarrons in Roseville. Funding

PHA

through the Targeted Watershed Grant will

2010 – ACEC National Recognition Award: Arlington Pascal Stormwater Improvements

Project Budget/Funding

2010 – MN Society of Professional Engineers - Seven Wonders of Engineering Award: Trout Brook Storm Sewer Interceptor Repairs Arlington Pascal Stormwater Improvements

$3.0 Million – Targeted Watershed Grant funds

two lakes and ultimately the Mississippi

$750,000 – CRWD / Partner matching funds

River. Millions of individuals will benefit from the

Como Park Stormwater Inventory and Watershed Analysis

TROUT BROOK ST. ANTH ONY PARK

most visited urban lakes, Como Lake in Saint

2013 – MAWD Program of the Year: Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Urban Lake Renewal Project Supporting Research

COMO

further efforts to improve water quality in these WEST K ITTS ON DALE

Legend

I

ST. PAUL

ST. ANTH ONY HILL Capitol Region Watershed District

City Boundary CRWD Subwatersheds

Urban Lake Renewal Project; municipal partners,

Urban Lake Renewal Project Area McCarrons Lake Watershed (HUC-12)

lakeside homeowners, Minnesota residents who visit

Trout Brook Storm Sewer DOWN TOWN

these iconic lakes and neighborhood groups who value TERN

these close-to-home water resources.

Como 3 Subwatershed Analysis Report Lake McCarrons Subwatershed Analysis Report

H

CROS BY

Project Partners Ramsey County City of Saint Paul City of Roseville City of Falcon Heights Community Partners

1410 Energy Park Drive, Suite 4 Saint Paul, MN 55108 651-644-8888 www.capitolregionwd.org

The water quality in Como Lake and Lake McCarrons will be improved through the implementation of large scale projects, outreach and in-lake management strategies

Urban Lake Renewal Project

Good News!

Como Lake, Saint Paul

CRWD has made significant progress, reductions needed are known and projects are identified.

Como Lake is located in Como Regional Park in Saint Paul, the second most

Solution 1: Large Scale BMP Implementation

visited park in the region with estimated 4.48 million visitors every year.

CRWD will further evaluate potential locations in each subwatershed and collaborate with municipal and community partners to construct large scale BMPs. Many locations will be evaluated for construction including:

The lake & pavilion and nearby zoo, conservatory, golf course, park and trail system draw visitors to the lake from across the state. The lake is 100% accessible to the public and a highly valued and iconic natural resource.

Como Lake is currently listed as impaired for aquatic recreation

Arlington-Hamline Underground infiltration

primarily caused by high phosphorus inputs. A 60% reduction

• Como Lake - McMurray Fields (80 acres treated) 20lbs/yr TP reduction • Lake McCarrons - Parkview School (111 acres treated) estimated 37 lbs/yr TP reduction

of watershed loading and 97% reduction in internal loading of phosphorus are needed to meet the TMDL. Improvements in watershed

Solution 2: Clean Streets Initiatives

Como Lake

and internal pollutant loads need to be made to protect water quality.

Outreach programs in collaboration with community and municipal partners will reduce inputs to Como and McCarrons and strengthen community stewardship of the water bodies. Initiatives that will be considered include:

Lake McCarrons, Roseville Lake McCarrons, is CRWD’s highest quality recreational waterbody

A boulevard rain garden

that currently meets water quality standards. It is a 75 acre lake that supports a variety of activities including swimming, boating, and

Boulevard rain gardens Expansion of the residential Adopt-a-Drain program Expansion of neighborhood leaf cleanup events Expanded and targeted street sweeping

Solution 3: In-Lake Management Strategies

fishing. A Ramsey County Park provides public access and picnic areas

In-lake management recommendations will be developed and evaluated based on load reductions and cost. CRWD will assess the following potential strategies to meet water quality goals:

and is the only designated public swimming beach in CRWD. Although Lake McCarrons is not currently impaired, monitoring has shown an increase in phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations.

In 2004, the lake was treated with alum with an expected lifespan of 8-20 yrs. Monitoring in 2014 showed the highest average annual phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations since treatment indicating a reduction in treatment. Improvements in watershed and internal

• • • •

Lake McCarrons

Como Lake Fish Survey

pollutant loads need to be made to protect water quality.

• • • •

Fish population management Aquatic plant harvesting Aluminum sulfate application Sediment removal

Project Results

Alum application on Lake McCarrons

CRWD estimates the Urban Lake Renewal Project will achieve over 25% of the TMDL watershed phosphorus load reduction (100 pounds reduction) for Como Lake. It will also result in BMP implementation in a significant untreated portion of the Lake McCarrons subwatershed which will increase the effective life of in-lake management strategies.

Capitol Region Watershed District Citizen Advisory Committee 2016 Agenda Plan CAC Meeting Date January 13, 2016

District Initiatives - Trout Brook 5 Year Inspection and CIP - BMP Database Review - Education Program Review - Community Capacity Assessment -Special Report -Strategic Communications Plan -Stewardship Grants Program Update

CAC Initiatives -Stewardship Awards Recap -2016 CAC Meeting Plan Discuss 2015 “Event”

- 2015 Permit Program Review - Wetland Report -Lake Stormwater Report -In-Lake Management Studies Summer Tour

- Election of Officers - Student Worker Program -CAC Tour Planning -Student Worker -Student Worker Update

August 10, 2016

- CRWD History Study - Targeted Watershed Program – Urban Lakes Renewal -Review and Comment on 2017 Budget

September 14, 2016

- Sediment and In-Lake Analysis

October 12, 2016

-Special and Partner Grant Committees

February 10, 2016 March 9, 2016

April 13, 2016 May 11, 2016 June 8, 2016 July 13, 2016

November 9, 2016

December 14, 2016

2017 Reappointment Recommendations

Updated: July 7, 2016 Pervious Parking Lot Lafayette Park W:\05 Citizen Advisory Committee\Agendas\2016\2016 CAC Agenda Plan 1-5-16.doc

- Student Worker Program - Governor’s Water Summit - Snelling Midway Redevelopment

-2016 Awards Program Adoption - Fall Fresh Water Society Event -Awards Program -Student Worker Program Update - Awards Program - Awards Program - Student Worker Updates - Moos Family Lecture Series - Awards Program - Student Worker Update