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Proposed Changes to Amend Existing Minn. Rules Ch. 7077 Governing Financial Assistance for Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater Treatment Systems

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) proposes amending its rules used to score and certify municipal wastewater and stormwater treatment system projects to qualify for financial assistance through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) or the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) grant program. In areas already served by wastewater collection and treatment systems, stormwater runoff is a primary source of surface water pollutants. Legislation providing balanced funding between wastewater and stormwater treatment systems expired in 2012. Without these proposed rules, stormwater systems would be unable to compete with wastewater systems for funding.

Request for Comments

August, 2, 2010 State Register

Draft Rule

In 2008, 2009 and 2010, stakeholders provided valuable input to the proposed rules. There are three elements to these amendments:

Minn. Statutes, § 116.182, subd. 5, paragraph (b) expired on June 30, 2012. This provision provided up to 20 additional points for stormwater projects designed to help meet TMDL standards for waters of Minnesota. These points are needed to secure funding for such projects. The proposed rules continue to make these 20 additional points available.
The Agency proposes additional ways for stormwater projects that prevent water impairments and the need for expensive rehabilitation to qualify for funding. Additional points would be made available to qualifying projects that do not drain to waters with TMDL standards. Eligible projects might reduce stormwater volume, incorporate new treatment standards not currently required, or provide multiple environmental benefits.
The Agency proposes clarifying certain existing rules. Formal public comments will be accepted when we the draft rule is published in the State Register.