Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Dan McLean, 651-297-1607 St. Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the city of White Bear Lake will hold a public information meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, to discuss the city's proposed stormwater pollution prevention program (SWPPP). An open house will precede the meeting from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at White Bear Lake City Hall, located at 4701 Highway 61. The purpose of the meeting is to inform citizens about the requirements of the permit, details of the proposed SWPPP, and to answer questions and respond to public comments. White Bear Lake is required by state and federal rule to obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the discharge of stormwater from their municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The SWPPP is a required component of the city's application for permit coverage. White Bear Lake is one of 243 cities in Minnesota located in areas defined "urban" by the U.S. census taken in 2000. With this definition, White Bear Lake is required to develop and use a SWPPP to reduce the discharge of pollutants from their storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable. A stormwater pollution prevention program is an important part of a permit application for authorization to discharge stormwater from a municipal stormwater system. The program should include specific steps the city will take to minimize the impact of their discharge to nearby water bodies. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of stormwater best-management practices. The permit includes measures to improve public involvement and education, reduce pollutants in stormwater, improve erosion controls on construction sites, and incorporate stormwater pollution prevention and "good-housekeeping" practices. The official public comment period ended Oct. 29. Any citizen may review the proposed SWPPP at White Bear Lake City Hall, the Ramsey County Library in White Bear Lake or by visiting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency at 520 Lafayette Road North, St. Paul. Copies may also be requested directly by calling Anna Kerr, MPCA, at 651-297-5219.