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April 26, 2006 <br />Feasibility Study <br />Financing Alternatives for Lino Lakes' Storm Water <br />Management Program <br />Prepared for City of Lino Lakes, Minnesota <br />1.0 Surface Water Management Program <br />1.1 Introduction <br />Development and redevelopment often results in an increase in the rate and <br />volume of storm water runoff. An increase in runoff overtaxes the natural <br />drainage systems, and increases the potential for localized flooding. <br />Additionally, a decrease in overall water quality can be directly attributed to <br />an increased level of development. A decrease in water quality translates into <br />lost recreational opportunities and permanent changes to the biological <br />systems present in local water bodies. <br />Storm water management has been an issue that figures prominently in the <br />development proposals that now come before Lino Lakes. In recent years, the <br />State of Minnesota has adopted laws regarding storm water drainage and <br />erosion control measures. State agencies such as the Board of Water and Soil <br />Resources have created model ordinances and "best management practices" <br />for communities to use. Looming in the future are possible federal EPA <br />mandates regarding the monitoring of storm water quality. Lino Lakes staff <br />is aware of the problems as well as the new requirements and have been <br />incorporating them into new development, but Lino Lakes recognizes the <br />need to take a more comprehensive and systematic look at surface water <br />management. <br />In addition, the City of Lino Lakes works closely with the Rice Creek <br />Watershed District to assure that projects meet the requirements of the <br />Watershed District. <br />Historically, the issue of storm water management has in principle been very <br />simple; collect the water into an underground system of pipes and get it to a <br />river, or creek as quickly as possible. If there was a problem with localized <br />flooding, additional and/or larger pipes were put in the ground. Water quality <br />and other storm water issues were not typically considered. It is fair to say <br />that the main concern of the average Lino Lakes citizen is still to get the <br />water away from their house or business as quickly as possible. But a <br />A -L I N OL0602.00 <br />Page 1 <br />