Background:
History: The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission has proposed a minor plan amendment to its Watershed Management Plan. The minor plan amendment adds three projects to the commission’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and makes some minor revisions to the watershed rules.
Staff reviewed the commission’s proposed minor plan amendment and found it to be consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251; the Surface Water Management section of the Hennepin County 2040 Comprehensive Plan; and the Hennepin County Natural Resources Strategic Plan. As a result, staff recommend approval of the proposed minor plan amendment to the commissions’ Watershed Management Plan. Additional information about the minor plan amendment is provided in a supplemental staff recommendation report.
The Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission has estimated a maximum 2023 special projects levy of $590,578 to fund the commission’s portion of the project costs to complete three water quality projects that are priorities in its CIP. The projects will achieve the commission’s goals to improve water quality and habitat value of Elm Creek and downstream resources including the Mississippi River.
Descriptions of the projects to be implemented in part by the levy funds are:
- The South Fork Rush Creek Stream Restoration Project (Maple Grove) will restore 7,200 linear feet of the South Fork of Rush Creek and re-establish floodplain from 101st Avenue North to the confluence with the North Fork of Rush Creek. This project will improve habitat for fish and other aquatic life, floodplain connectivity, access to the creek for recreational purposes, include public education elements, and reduce phosphorus pollution by nearly 425 pounds per year. The total cost of the project is $3,250,000 and the commission’s share is $812,500. The city has requested that the commission consider levying for the remaining amount of the commission’s share in 2024. The remainder of project costs will be paid by the City of Maple Grove. The commission requests a 2023 levy of $430,828 for this project.
- The City Cost Share Best Management Practices Project provides cost share for projects that provide additional infiltration and water quality treatment by retrofitting best management practices into already developed publicly owned areas throughout the Elm Creek Watershed. The commission’s Technical Advisory Committee developed policies and procedures to administer these funds and makes recommendations to the commission on projects to fund. The commission requests a 2023 levy of $106,500 for this project.
- The Partnership (Private) Cost Share Best Management Practices Project provides cost share for projects that provide additional infiltration and water quality treatment by retrofitting best management practices into already developed privately-owned areas throughout the Elm Creek Watershed. The commission’s Technical Advisory Committee developed policies and procedures to administer these funds and makes recommendations to the commission on projects to fund. The commission requests a 2023 levy of $53,250 for this project.
Levies authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 are exempt from any statutory limitation on taxes. A county levying a tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 103B.251 shall not include that tax in the county’s general levy but shall separately certify that amount to the county auditor. The county auditor shall extend that levy as a special taxing district. The commission must certify its final levies to the county auditor prior to October 1, 2022.
Current Request: This request is to approve the amendment to the Elm Creek Watershed Management Plan and to set the Elm Creek Watershed Management Commission 2023 maximum levy at $590,578 for projects that will improve water quality.
Impact/Outcomes: Approval of this request will allow certification of the maximum levy to the county auditor for inclusion in Truth in Taxation statement.
Projects in this request will improve water quality and aquatic habitat in Rush Creek, Elm Creek, and downstream water resources like the Mississippi River, which flows through downstream areas identified by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as areas of environmental justice concern.
These projects will also contribute to making Hennepin County more resilient to climate change by creating streambanks that are better able to withstand high flows associated with increasing precipitation patterns, by managing more stormwater, and by improving water quality in advance of wetter and warmer mid-century conditions.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by enhancing stormwater management systems and mitigating the flooding risks that climate change poses to our infrastructure and vulnerable populations.