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Council hears MS4 permitting update from MPCA as Stewartville moves toward regulated stormwater program
Summary
Council received an update that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has notified the city it now meets MS4 thresholds; staff outlined a two-stage public-comment process and said a draft permit is expected within a month with at least two 30-day comment windows.
City staff informed the council that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a follow-up notification that Stewardville qualifies for MS4 permitting under state and federal clean-water rules and described next steps in the MS4 general-permit reissuance process.
Staff said the MPCA expects an informal pre-public-notice draft of the MS4 general permit within about a month and will provide two opportunities for stakeholders to submit written comments: an informal pre-public-notice period (staff will accept written input but MPCA will not provide responses during that stage), followed by a formal public-notice period during which the MPCA will respond to comments. "MPCA plans to provide two opportunities for stakeholders to provide input... each opportunity will be available for at least 30 days," staff said.
Why it matters: MS4 permitting imposes compliance obligations on municipalities for stormwater controls, monitoring and public education; staff noted the city has met thresholds tied to population growth and impaired waters. Council members asked why the city was included when population counts seemed close to thresholds; staff replied the city meets criteria for cities of 5,000 or more when located on an impaired water.
Staff said they will start public education and outreach to prepare Stewartville residents for new requirements and goals. The council received the update for information with no immediate action taken at the meeting.
