Strategy

The City of Saint Peter is located along the Minnesota River and currently discharges stormwater to the river. The city acknowledges that the Minnesota River is listed as impaired and a USEPA-approved TMDL has been developed on this river for low dissolved oxygen during low flow conditions. The City also acknowledges that this impairment is caused by phosphorus concentrations during low flow conditions and a plan is needed to control the amount of phosphorus discharged to the Minnesota River during these periods.

The City of Saint Peter recognizes that by utilizing Best Management Practices (BMPs) we can make a difference and improve the water quality of the Minnesota River. The City of Saint Peter is going to use the following strategies to achieve the goals set forth by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for reducing pollutant loads. Saint Peter will attempt to use several different ways to reduce pollutant loads. In newly developed areas the city is going to install structural BMPs while attempting to reduce pollutant loads through non-structural source control and treatment BMPs in the developed area of town.

Pollutant Tracking System

The City of Saint Peter has determined that they will use a simple BMP tracking tool for tracking pollutant load reductions. A city map will be developed and calculations for pollutant load reductions will be completed during the first permit cycle based on the year 2000. Once the MPCA develops a list that outlines how many credits will be given for certain structural and non-structural BMPs then the city will know what BMPs will work for our current and future land development.

Schedule

The City of Saint Peter will achieve necessary pollutant reductions within four permit cycles.

1. During the first permit cycle, Saint Peter will evaluate its existing stormwater program, determine if the program requires modification, outline a process for modifying the program, and implement BMPs if opportunities arise. (June 1, 2006 – May 31, 2011)
   
   
2. In the second permit cycle, Saint Peter will modify its stormwater program as necessary implement non-structural BMPs, develop a system to evaluate the effectiveness of these BMPs and implement structural BMPs if the opportunities arise. (June 1, 2011 – May 31, 2016)
   
   
3. In the third permit cycle, Saint Peter will evaluate the effectiveness of non-structural BMPs, determine if structural BMPs are needed, identify where and which structural BMPs will achieve the needed pollutant load reductions, and implement structural BMPs if opportunities arise. (June 1, 2016 – May 31, 2021)
   
   
4. If the fourth permit cycle, Saint Peter will implement structural BMPs as needed. (June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2026)
   
   

This document was submitted to the MPCA on September 14, 2007.