County holds MS4 public hearing and accepts annual stormwater report; staff cite inspections, outreach and salt-reduction guidance

Olmsted County held its annual municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) public hearing and accepted the MS4 annual report after staff described inspection, maintenance and outreach activities under the current permit cycle.

Skip Langer, manager of the Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District, told the board that MS4 covers the county's linear stormwater infrastructure and that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency oversees the program. "MS4 is our municipal separate storm sewer system. It's our linear system of roads, ditches, pipes, best management practices that manage stormwater runoff," Langer said, and he noted the county's current permit period runs 2020–2025.

Langer described six minimum control measures the county implements, from public education and outreach to construction-site runoff controls, and listed several operational metrics: annual inspection cycles for BMPs on a five-year rotation, staff training (he said 85 staff attended the most recent training), and street sweeping that reclaimed about 85 cubic yards last year (roughly 10 tandem loads). He also highlighted the county's adopt-a-highway program, which he said involves about 170 volunteer groups.

During the hearing commissioners asked whether the exercise is primarily informational or a report to MPCA; Langer said the hearing is a required annual opportunity for public comment on the county's Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWIP) and that the county will submit annual reports to MPCA when the agency's portal becomes available.

Residents asked practical questions. Nancy Wheeler Hanlon asked whether residents can 'claim' drains for cleaning and naming; Langer explained city vs. county jurisdiction for drains and pointed residents toward city stormwater programs for adopted-drain signage in urban areas while noting the county maintains some features in its jurisdiction. Another attendee suggested brief public guidance on reducing salt use; Langer recommended pretreatment (brining) and urged residents to shovel/scrape before applying salt and to use minimal amounts.

After public comment a motion to accept the MS4 report was moved and seconded; the board voted to accept the report by voice vote. The action records the board's acceptance of the annual report; staff said the county will proceed with permit planning and submit required reports to MPCA when the agency portal is available.