Water Resources Center MINNEgram WRC survey finds homeowners Co-Director aware of stormwater damage returns to WRC A survey team as a demonstration project because it was Profes- under the direction designated as “impaired” with excessive sor Deborah of Karlyn Eckman, turbidity from sediment. The study com- Swackhamer (Senior Fellow WRS) pares a neighborhood retro-fitted with returned to her and Rachel Walker, rain barrels and rain gardens to another position as co- coordinator (WRC), neighborhood left “as is." director of the polled Duluth’s Lakeside Respondents to the survey, called Water Resources Center on Au- neighborhood residents KAP for “knowledge, attitudes, and Deb Swackhamer within a three-block practices,” seemed to be aware of links gust 25, 2008, area to gauge local between rain events, impaired water after serving 23 months as the Interim Director of the awareness of the effects quality, and property damage. Residents University of Minnesota's Institute on the of stormwater flow on also understood that stormwater eventu- Environment (IonE). During this time, nearby waterways and property. ally reaches Lake Superior, and appeared she named 15 Founding Fellows from The NRRI and Minnesota Sea Grant willing to participate in the Lakeside across the University, implemented sev- at the University of Minnesota-Duluth Stormwater Reduction Project. eral internal grants programs, established and the city of Duluth, received funding Eighty-four percent of respondents in administrative structure and procedures, from the MPCA to study stormwater the control block, which is farthest down obtained the Institute's first extramural retention efforts near the Lester River/ the hill, said that their property and prop- grant, created a robust communications Amity Creek system. Project partners erties nearby were affected by stormwater team, and accepted a $2.5 millon be- included South Saint Louis Soil and Wa- runoff. Fifty-two percent of residents queathment on behalf of the Institute. ter Conservation District, the Minnesota farthest up the hill in the treatment block Provost E. Thomas Sullivan expressed ConservationMinne Corps, and the Minnesota GRAMreported their properties to be affected by gratitude for Dr. Swackhamer's leader- Lake Superior Coastal Program. The Les- ship in creating the initial structure of the ter River/Amity Creek system was chosen Survey report continued on page 4 IonE. Ambitious statewide conservation and preservation plan released by Les Everett, WRC For the first time, Minnesota has public and private organizations over In this Issue a comprehensive fifty-year plan for a period of 18 months, led by Water conserving and preserving its natural Resources Center (WRC) co-director 2 Director's Desk resources. The Statewide Conservation Deborah Swackhamer. and Preservation Plan, prepared for the The first phase of the two-phase 3 MN Water Resources Legislative-Citizen Commission on Min- study identifies trends in natural resource Conference nesota Resources (LCCMR) by the Uni- conditions and the underlying drivers versity of Minnesota, Bonestroo, and CR of change. The second phase focuses on 5 White Earth Math and Planning, presents a strategic framework four key issues: land and water habitat Science Program for protecting multiple natural resources, conservation, land-use practices, trans- the economy, and public health in an portation, and energy production and 6 Community News integrated fashion, and takes into account use. Within each issue area, a team of demographics and climate change. It is experts prepared investment and public 8 Paperless Minnegram the most ambitious planning document policy recommendations addressing inte- Sign-up of its kind, requiring the efforts of 125 grated planning, critical land protection, scientists, natural resource planners and professionals from the University and Plan, continued on page 5 MinnegramMinnegram 1 September 2008 Minne GRAM Around the State From the Director's Desk The turn of the calendar to September always Don't forget to vote: marks a time of newness, as most of us in Minnesota are programmed from youth that it is time to stop Clean Water, “playing” and get back to the business at hand. This is underscored here on the St. Paul campus with the end Land and Legacy of the state fair and the beginning of classes, whenstu- dents return full of hope and energy. This year at the Water Resources Center we are energized by having Amendment Faye Sleeper one of our largest groups of incoming Water Resource This year the legislature voted to Science students. They are pursuing degrees so that place the Clean Water Land and Legacy they will be ready to engage on water issues in Minnesota and elsewhere as Amendment on the November election researchers, faculty, scientists and policy makers. This is especially important as ballot. Here are some of the facts about we look forward to addressing our impaired waters, ground water sustainability the amendment. and protection of our precious waters. With approximately 40% of Minnesota’s The language as it will appear on the (and the nation’s) assessed waters classified as impaired, there will be plenty of ballot: opportunities for these and future students. We are gratified that many of you “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be continue to provide opportunities for students during their time here at the amended to dedicate funding to protect University and after they leave. our drinking water sources; to protect, We are thrilled to welcome Deborah Swackhamer back from her leave of ab- enhance, and restore our wetlands, prai- sence and into the role of Co-Director of the Water Resources Center. As Deb ries, forests, and fish, game, and wildlife returns, we look forward to new possibilities in areas of education, research habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural and outreach. Another change that we highlighted in June is the opportunity to heritage; to support our parks and trails; “go paperless” with this newsletter. Once again, we provide the link for you to and to protect, enhance, and restore our sign up for this option. We thank those who have signed up and note that this lakes, rivers, streams, and groundwater will begin with the December 2008 newsletter, as we were delayed a bit in this by increasing the sales and use tax rate effort. For those in the Onsite Sewage Treatment business, we begin another beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eighths of season of professional workshops. Onsite Sewage professionals will see changes one percent on taxable sales until the year that reflect new state law and regulations, as well as other improvements. I hope 2034?” that, like we at the Water Resources Center, you are able to enter the fall with This investment is a temporary renewed energy to tackle your challenges and opportunities. dedication lasting twenty-five years. The language passed by the legislature specifi- cally allocates funding among four pur- poses as follows: 33% for water quality, Faye E. Sleeper, WRC Co-Director 33% for wildlife habitat, 19.75% for arts and cultural resources, and 14.25% for parks and trails. If passed, this change will generate approximately $300 million per year in 2008 dollars. The cost — three- New rule: must test potable wells for arsenic eighths of one percent on taxable sales — is three and a half cents on a ten dollar As of August 4, 2008, anyone in the per liter, MDH staff will send the well purchase. This does not include items State of Minnesota constructing a potable owner an arsenic brochure, a contact list, that are excluded from sales tax such as well must test the water for arsenic. Revi- a letter offering technical assistance to clothing and food. sions to Minnesota Rules Chapter 4725 minimize arsenic exposure, and informa- In Minnesota, amending the constitu- (Minnesota Well Code) also specify that tion on effective water treatment tech- tion is the only mechanism for creating a water analysis results be given to the Min- nologies. truly dedicated funding source. Minne- nesota Department of Health (MDH) and Studies have linked prolonged ex- sota’s constitution has been amended 119 the well owner within 30 days. Current posure to arsenic to a number of health times, usually for limited-term funding data estimates indicate that about half problems, including high blood pressure, reasons similar to this proposal. the wells in Minnesota contain detect- diabetes, circulatory diseases and some All voters have the opportunity to able levels of naturally-occurring arsenic, cancers. vote on the amendment. If you skip the with 15 percent of all wells at levels of at Recently updated information on amendment question, the state counts least 10 micrograms per liter, which is the arsenic in well water is available at the this as a vote in the "no" column. maximum MDH-recommended limit for MHD Web page: http://www.health.state. private well water. mn.us/divs/eh/wells/waterquality/arsenic. If arsenic levels exceed 10 micrograms html Minnegram 2 September 2008 2008 Minnesota Water Resources Conference Water conference to be held on the Mississippi Increased attendance prompts move to Saint Paul RiverCentre The Third Annual “Minnesota Water Resources als, including resource managers; researchers; local, Conference,” sponsored by the Water Resources Cen- state and federal agency staff; practicing engineers; and ter and the College of Continuing Education, will be students in the field. held October 27–28, 2008, at the Saint Paul RiverCen- Six ninety-minute concurrent sessions with four tre. The conference has been moved to RiverCentre hour break-out topics will be offered during the two- to accommodate increased attendance and interest in day conference. There will be a poster session and water resources issues. reception at the end of the first day, and posters will be Topics that will be highlighted include: available for viewing throughout both days. • Best practices in the design and application of Post-conference workshops will be held on October water resource management techniques 29.