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Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS): Enhancing stormwater management in Minnesota

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Examples of low impact development.

Stormwater management has evolved substantially over the past 20 years. Historically, the goal was to move water off the landscape quickly and reduce flooding concerns. Now we are focusing on keeping the raindrop where it falls and mimicking natural hydrology in order to minimize the amount of pollution reaching our lakes, rivers and streams, and to recharge our ground waters. In order to successfully do so, standards are needed to create consistency in design and performance. In response to this need, and advanced by a diverse group of partners, the Minnesota Legislature allocated funds to “develop performance standards, design standards or other tools to enable and promote the implementation of low impact development and other stormwater management techniques.” (Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 115.03, subdivision 5c).

Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) represents the next generation of stormwater management and contains three main elements that address current challenges:

  • A higher clean water performance goal for new development and redevelopment that will provide enhanced protection for Minnesota’s water resources.
  • New modeling methods and credit calculations that will standardize the use of a range of “innovative” structural and nonstructural stormwater techniques.
  • A credits system and ordinance package that will allow for increased flexibility and a streamlined approach to regulatory programs for developers and communities.

The development of Minimal Impact Design Standards is based on low impact development (LID) — an approach to storm water management that mimics a site’s natural hydrology as the landscape is developed. Using the low impact development approach, storm water is managed on site and the rate and volume of predevelopment storm water reaching receiving waters is unchanged. The calculation of predevelopment hydrology is based on native soil and vegetation. (Minnesota Statutes 2009, section 115.03, subdivision 5c).

Performance goal for new development

In April 2011,  MIDS work group members agreed on a performance goal for new development:   For new, nonlinear developments that create more than one acre of new impervious surface on sites without restrictions, stormwater runoff volumes will be controlled and the post-construction runoff volume shall be retained on site for 1.1 inches of runoff from impervious surfaces statewide.  The workgroup is working on a performance goal for redevelopment and linear projects.

Stakeholder input and meetings

In October 2009, we collected input from developers, municipal planners, public works departments, and decision makers to prioritize the most important structural and nonstructural best management practices that are needed for stormwater management. We will be relying upon this list of practices to develop work plans for consulting services.

Stakeholder meetings were held October 7, 13, 19 and 29, 2009, in Brainerd, Duluth, Rochester and Plymouth.

 

MIDS Work Group

MIDS work group members, November 2011

MIDS work group

In January 2010, a workgroup was formed under the auspices of the Minnesota Stormwater Steering Committee.  Members of the MIDS workgroup will provide guidance and recommendations to the MPCA on the MIDs project. Co-chairs of the workgroup are Jay Riggs, Washington Conservation District and Jim Hafner, City of Blaine.  Meeting notes and a list of workgroup members are noted below.

Work group presentations

MIDS technical teams

Teams have been formed to conduct research on the best management practices that are included in the MIDS project.

MIDS meeting schedule 2012

  • May 18, June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16 and December 21
  • All meetings will be held from 9-12 at the MPCA St. Paul Office in Training Room 2.  Meetings are also available via webcast. Contact Anne Gelbmann at 651-757-2384 for additional information.

Memorandums

MIDS 319 pilot project in the St. Croix basin

The St. Croix MIDS Pilot Community Project was established to help St. Croix Basin communities meet state water quality regulatory requirements and provide a real testing ground for the application of the new MIDS performance goals, credits and calculators, and the community assistance package. The Pilot Community Project involves regional and focused community assistance in the form of education, training, review and consultation services, and tools and resources such as model ordinances; all with the intent to apply the MIDS package. Education and training includes NEMO – Nonpoint source Education for Municipal Officials programming and Stormwater U – technical training for staff and consultants. Up to three pilot communities will receive free education, training, and consulting services to update plans, ordinances and codes to protect their local water resources and ultimately the St. Croix River. The MIDS Pilot Community Project is funded by a Federal 319 Grant and managed through the Washington Conservation District with input from a Steering Committee.

For more information, please contact Jay Riggs at the Washington Conservation District:  651-275-1136  Ext. 20 or Anne Gelbmann, MPCA: 651-757-2384.

Calendar of events related to MIDS

If you have an event that you would like posted, please contact Anne Gelbmann at 651-757-2384 or anne.gelbmann@state.mn.us

Resources and associated studies

Related links

Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment

Contact

For more information about the MIDS project contact Bruce Wilson at 651-757-2828 or Anne Gelbmann at 651-757-2384.

Last modified on November 19, 2012 10:25
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