The second forum – Urban Water and Land Use – was held
on Tuesday, April 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lake Harriet United Methodist
Church at 4901 Chowen Avenue South, Minneapolis.
The evening opened with a ceremony and celebration of water by Danza Mexica Cuauhtemoc of Minnesota (http://www.chalchiutlicue.org/) to remind us of water’s importance to our lives and to the health of our environment. Lois Eberhart, City of Minneapolis Water Resources Director, described the City’s land use and management programs to protect water resources. Representative Jean Wagenius (62B) discussed the elements of the Clean Water Legacy Amendment and help us evaluate the effectiveness of state laws designed to protect our precious water resources. Questions and discussion will follow.
The seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area is less than 3.5% of the state’s land area, but supports 54% of the state’s population and is projected to grow to 3.3 million by 2020, continuing a trend of being one of the fastest growing metro areas in the country. At the present growth rate statewide, Minnesota will double its current area of developed land in less than 40 years.
Expanding suburban areas cause an increase in impervious surfaces through the conversion of farmland and wildlife habitat and the paving of groundwater recharge areas. Stormwater runoff carries soil, fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides, salt applied to roads and walkways, oil, gasoline, antifreeze and metals from tires to lakes and streams. The EPA lists urban stormwater runoff as one of the leading sources of pollutants to Minnesota lakes and streams.
Road salt use in urban areas is also a growing concern for water quality. New research by a team of University of Minnesota researchers, provides important confirmation that road salt is the cause of chloride contamination found in Twin City lakes by documenting seasonal trends that show chloride increasing in lakes during and after the snowplowing season. The researchers also found evidence that some of the salt applied each winter remains in lakes and produces chloride concentrations that have been increasing since road salt came into heavy use in the 1960s. Lowering the use of residential salt use and using alternatives can help protect lakes and streams from salt pollution.
Topics to be covered include: landscaping and lawn, winter snow removal, urban agriculture, food choices. More information about these topics may be found at:
To the Source: Moving Minnesota's Water Governance Upstream the Citizens League 2009 report http://www.citizensleague.org/publications/reports/482.RPT.To%20the%20Source.pdf The report states that the principal causes of water impairments are widespread 'nonpoint sources' of pollution, coming from behaviors on the land across the state. We are all contributors to this type of pollution and, rather than relying on government to solve our water issues (something it cannot do alone), we all need to be part of the solution. "[T]he people and organizations that contribute to water problems must play a central role in the actions and decision making to address these problems. Minnesota needs a model of water governance that takes advantage of the imagination and capacity of the public to confront these challenges." A key recommendation is that Minnesota redesign government roles and responsibilities to promote a collaborative model with the public and among government entities, including state and local entities
Osterholm Warns of Threats to Groundwater A Freshwater Society article about Dr. Michael Osterholm talking about threats to groundwater. The article includes a link to video of the presentation
Author Robert Glennon calls for putting a price on water A Freshwater Society article about author Robert Glennon’s lecture on America’s water crisis. The article includes a link to video of his talk and another link to a q-and-a interview with Glennon.
