Agenda Packets - 2012/11/26 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FFF RRR EEE QQQ UUU EEE NNN TTT LLL YYY AAA SSS KKK EEE DDD QQQ UUU EEE SSS TTT III OOO NNN SSS SSS TTT OOO RRR MMM WWW AAA TTT EEE RRR III NNN FFF III LLL TTT RRR AAA TTT III OOO NNN PPP RRR OOO GGG RRR AAA MMM Q1. What is the Stormwater Infiltration Program Q1. What is the Stormwater Infiltration Program Q1. What is the Stormwater Infiltration Program Q1. What is the Stormwater Infiltration Program ((((SIPSIPSIPSIP))))???? The Stormwater Infiltration Program, otherwise known as SIP, is the City’s stormwater management approach to complying with the current stormwater rules and regulations when reconstructing streets. These rules and regulations are mandated by the Clean Water Act and enforced locally through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD). The SIP uses stormwater infiltration basins, or rain gardens, in the City-owned boulevard to infiltrate, or soak, part of the stormwater runoff into the ground. This reduces the amount of runoff flowing into the City storm sewer that ultimately discharges into Rice Creek and other natural water bodies. The infiltration also allows the groundwater aquifers to be replenished. Q2. What Q2. What Q2. What Q2. What does a sdoes a sdoes a sdoes a stormwater infiltration basintormwater infiltration basintormwater infiltration basintormwater infiltration basin look likelook likelook likelook like???? A stormwater infiltration basin looks like a shallow depression, or low area, in your front yard. The basin will have lawn grass like the rest of your yard and be located next to the street. The basin will be constructed in the boulevard area of the City-owned Right-of-Way. The new curb and gutter will have an opening that allows a portion of the street runoff to be directed into the basin. The basin width and length will vary based upon specific site conditions, runoff area, and available Right-of-Way. The bottom of the basins are typically 1 to 1-½ feet lower than the top back of the curb, or 6 to 12 inches below the curb opening. The side slopes from the curb top and existing yard to the basin bottom will be no more than a 3:1 (horizontal to vertical) slope. This slope will allow for better maintenance and blending into your existing yard. Example of a stormwater infiltration basin QQQQ3333.... What is the boulevard and RightWhat is the boulevard and RightWhat is the boulevard and RightWhat is the boulevard and Right----ofofofof----WayWayWayWay???? When land was developed and divided into individual lots, the developer gave a portion of this land to the City to use for streets, water, sewer, power, natural gas, telephone, mail, and other public uses. This land is called Right-of- Way and varies in width, but is typically 50 to 66 feet wide. The streets are usually built in the middle of the Right-of- Way. The area between the street edge and your property line (where the Right-of-way ends) is called the boulevard. This boulevard blends into your front yard and typically extends 10 to 20 feet behind the street edge toward your house. This boulevard area is where the infiltration basins will be constructed. Example of a rain garden QQQQ4444. . . . What’s the difference between aWhat’s the difference between aWhat’s the difference between aWhat’s the difference between a stormwaterstormwaterstormwaterstormwater infiltration infiltration infiltration infiltration basin and a rain garden?basin and a rain garden?basin and a rain garden?basin and a rain garden? A rain garden is a stormwater infiltration basin that is planted with flowers and shrubs instead of grass. The rain garden functions the same as an infiltration basin, allowing the stormwater runoff to infiltrate into the ground. The City will construct infiltration basins with lawn grass as part of the street reconstruction projects. If adjacent property owners prefer to have a rain garden, they will be responsible for the initial planting and on-going maintenance of the rain garden. The City’s Public Works Department has an Adopt-A-Rain Garden application form that will need to be completed by property owners interested in planting a rain garden before construction of the infiltration basin is done.