Watershed Restoration And Protection Strategy (WRAPS)
The federal Clean Water Act requires states to adopt water quality standards to protect lakes, streams, and wetlands from pollution. The standards define how much of a pollutant (bacteria, nutrients, turbidity, mercury, etc.) can be in the water and still meet designated uses such as drinking water, fishing, and swimming. A water body is “impaired” if it fails to meet one or more water quality standards. (Excerpts from MPCA* website)
To identify and restore impaired waters, Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires states to:
- Assess all waters of the state to determine if they meet water quality standards.
- List waters that do not meet standards (MPCA* webpage) and update every even-numbered year.
- Do TMDL (total maximum daily load) studies to set pollutant-reduction goals needed to restore waters.
Federal & state regulations & programs require implementation of restoration measures to meet TMDLs.
What is a Watershed Restoration And Protection Strategy (WRAPS)? An effort to develop a watershed wide, multi-parameter Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and implementation plan that will collectively address all water quality impairments and exceedances throughout the Coon Creek Watershed District.
Who does it involve? Coon Creek Watershed District, Andover, Blaine, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Spring Lake Park, MPCA*, Anoka Conservation District, Wenck and Associates (our Engineering consultant), Local Stakeholders
When did it begin? December 2012
What is the outcome? An US EPA Approved watershed wide multi-parameter TMDL report. Then, an implementation plan will be developed to aid in achieving desired water quality standards.
- Phase I: Identify the sources of stress and impairment to the creek and tributaries
- Phase II: Collect and analyze data, modeling, and determine extent of impairments and exceedances
- Phase III: WRAPS final Report
*MPCA = Minnesota Pollution Control Agency