2016.08.25 CC Packet - Water Summit

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JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES NORTHEAST METRO WATER SUMMIT GROUP THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into this day of 2016 amongst Washington County, Anoka County, and the cities of. Blaine, Centerville, Circle Pines, Columbus, Forest Lake, Hugo, Lexington, Lino Lakes, and Scandia, and the also known as the Northeast Metro Water Summit Group. BACKGROUND As a reaction to the low water levels that have been present at times within White Bear Lake, the DNR was sued in Ramsey County District Court in 2012; with the plaintiffs claiming that by allowing 13 local communities to use groundwater for their public water supply, the DNR has permitted too much groundwater use in the area, thus lowering White Bear Lake. A settlement agreement halted litigation for three years. In agreeing to the settlement, the DNR has agreed to support efforts to develop a surface water supply to serve area communities. The DNR has also agreed to set a protective elevation for White Bear Lake, and among other things, has agreed to pursue conservation measures that will impact all communities in the area. The low water levels of White Bear Lake have sP ned a multitude of scientific, engineering and planning studies led by the Met Council or Si R with occasional direction from the State Legislature. The USGS has been provided with funding to study the causes of the lake level decline. Although the USGS study remains underway, solutions are being supported by DNR and others that include construction of a $600 million project that would deliver Mississippi River water to the northeast metro. Communities are being asked to adopt water conservation measures, with a goal of a 17 percent total reduction in water use. The DNR has also established a Groundwater Management Area for the North and East metro, which will result in further management and possible regulation of regional groundwater resources. WITNESSETH: WHEREAS, the parties of this agreement, intend to work in cooperation with the MN Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council, Rice Creek Watershed District, and State Legislators; and, WHEREAS, said parties mutually agree that addressing the water supply needs of the Northeast Metro Area (referred to in this agreement as the "Area") while at the same time protecting natural resources, requires cooperation among all of the above named parties; and, WHEREAS, a cooperative approach among all of the above named parties to regulations and issues resulting from policies created relating to water quantity, water quality, and water conservation is desirable if cities are to have control over their individual municipal water supplies; and, WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 471.59 authorizes political subdivisions of the State to enter into joint powers agreements for the joint exercise of powers common to each.