Best Practice Action 17.1
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Stormwater Management No. 17
Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff by maximizing green infrastructure.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 1
Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
- Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) represents the next generation of stormwater management, developed by the MN Pollution Control Agency along with its scientific, municipal and business partners. MIDS contains three main elements: (1) higher clean water performance goals for new development and redevelopment, focused on infiltrating rainwater; (2) a Community Assistance Package including sample ordinances that will allow for increased flexibility and a state-approved streamlined approach to regulatory programs (TMDLs, impaired waters) for developers and communities; and (3) the MIDS Calculator that will standardize the use of a range of innovative structural and nonstructural stormwater techniques.
- Those interested in adopting MIDS may want to read about the 2016 experience of 8 cities along the St. Croix river, and view the MIDS sample ordinance language.
- The Minnesota Stormwater Manual is in a web-based format that can be rapidly updated by MPCA staff to incorporate the latest information on topics such as best management practices, design, construction, maintenance and pollutant removal. For example, a 2016 page was created on guidance for pollinator-friendly vegetated stormwater practices.
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Use the MIDS calculator for new development and redevelopment site design. |
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Work with MPCA or other stormwater staff to train city staff and to introduce MIDS to the city council. |
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Adopt and implement the MIDS community assistance package. |
Who's doing it
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City adopted Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) into its stormwater management ordinance in 2015. It can be found in our Code of Ordinances TITLE 8 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SANITATION CHAPTER 8-1200 - SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT. The City has been implementing MIDS design practices for stormwater management on new and redevelopment projects since 2015.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
Crosslake -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Sec. 26-4 Authority and Incorporation by Reference of Statutes, Rules, and References of the Land Ordinance (Chapter 26) revised 10-16-18 includes inclusion of the Crow Wing County Local Comprehensive Water Management Plan and the “Minnesota Stormwater Manual”, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (2005).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Martha Steele (Community volunteer) | steeles@brainerd.net | 218-765-4041
Partners:
Crystal -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Crystal is a part of the Bassett Creek Watershed District which has adopted the MIDS.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Mark Ray (City Staff) | mark.ray@crystalmn.gov | 6127606712
Partners:
Detroit Lakes -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City uses MIDS in our storm water management ordinance (1007)
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Kelcey Klemm (City Staff) | kklemm@cityofdetroitlakes.com | 2188475658
Partners:
Elk River -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The City of Elk River adopted Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards into city ordinance on March 16, 2015.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.elkrivermn.gov/1185/Stormwater-Program
For more information contact:
Amanda Bednar (City staff) | ABednar@ElkRiverMN.gov | 763-635-1068
Partners:
Golden Valley -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2015
Implementation details:
The vast majority of Golden Valley is located in the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission which adopted the MIDS community assistance package into its Watershed Management Plan in 2015. The Golden Valley City Council adopted Minnesota’s Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) into its City code in 2015 as well. In accordance with the Watershed Management Plan, the City’s stormwater management ordinance requires improvements and development proposals to incorporate MIDS. Engineering staff have attended training on using the MIDS calculator.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
All developments and public projects that trigger MIDS have been required to follow the new guidelines since the City code was updated. This has resulted in a reduction in the amount of stormwater volume, sediment and phosphorus entering natural receiving waters within the City.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://library.municode.com/mn/golden_valley/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADE_CH107STMA
For more information contact:
Jeff Oliver (City staff) | joliver@goldenvalleymn.gov | (763)-593-8034
Partners:
Plymouth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The City adopted the use of MIDS with the approval of their Surface Water Management Plan in December 2018. As described in the plan, “The City accepts the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS), or an approved equal as the approved water quality design standard for new, redevelopment and linear projects within the City. MIDS will help to achieve water quality standards and meet Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) allocations for shallow and deep lakes, streams and creeks. The City supports the emphasis of MIDS on keeping the raindrop where it falls in order to minimize stormwater runoff, pollution and preserving our natural resources.” City staff enforce and document MIDS compliance through private development reviews & incorporates MIDS during design of City linear projects.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
impact is measured in number of BMPs installed and impacts to water quality in downstream waterbodies.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.plymouthmn.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/20055/636964666912270000
[Page 250].
For more information contact:
Ben Scharenbroich (City Staff) | bscharenbroich@plymouthmn.gov | 763-509-5527
Partners:
Saint Peter -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
As part of criteria for the installation or construction of stormwater management facilities in Saint Peter, the city code states that documentation showing compliance with the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) shall be provided, particularly for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Phosphorus (TP).
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://library.municode.com/mn/saint_peter/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH52UT_ARTXSTMA_DIV3MAST_S52-657CRPEFA
For more information contact:
Todd Prafke (City Staff) | barbaral@saintpetermn.gov | 507-934-0663
Partners:
Stillwater -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
City Council approved MIDS
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/home/showdocument?id=724
For more information contact:
Shawn Sanders (City staff) | Ssanders@ci.stillwater.mn.us | 651-430-8835
Partners:
New Hope -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The city is part of the Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission, which has adopted many of Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://www.bassettcreekwmo.org/
For more information contact:
Jeff Alger (City Staff) | jalger@newhopemn.gov | 763-531-5119
Partners: Bassett Creek Watershed Management Commission
Inver Grove Heights -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2008
Implementation details:
The City code states that Low Impact Development (LID), or green infrastructure, design concepts will be incorporated into development projects located in the northwest area and in other landlocked basins in the city. In all other parts of the city, LID design concepts must be implemented wherever possible.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
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For more information contact:
Ally Sutherland (City Staff) | asutherland@invergroveheights.org | 651-604-8511
Partners:
Moorhead -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City accepts MIDS to meet city ordinance requirements, but we have not adopted their practices.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Dan Mahli (City staff) | dan.mahli@cityofmoorhead.com | 218-299-5314
Partners:
Rogers -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City's Water Resource Technician attended a MIDS calculator training, led by John Chapman. We are now in the process of determining how we can use the calculator and how else we can incorporate MIDS. This spring the City is hoping to kick off a rain barrel program along with some public outreach and education revolving around permeable/pervious pavement/pavers.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Mike Bauer (City staff) | mbauer@ci.rogers.mn.us | 763-428-1033
Partners: MPCA; University of Minnesota
Saint Cloud -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
St. Cloud uses the MIDS calculator internally for pollutant reduction estimates. Our requirements are in Article 19.12 of our Land Development Code. Since 2022, the City of St. Cloud has implemented new stormwater permit requirements. We have been and continue to implement more stringent water quality standards than the State minimum requirements, in order to protect water quality.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Since its inception, St. Cloud's Stormwater program has implemented a lot of work on stormwater treatment processes. The city's stormwater system has 142 stormwater treatment ponds, 212 outfalls, 190 miles of pipe, 250 water quality treatment structures, 360 infiltration/filtration treatment practices, and 7,800 catch basins.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/DocumentCenter/View/4084/Article-19---Off-Site-Development-Standards-9-12-22?bidId=
For more information contact:
Liz Kramer (City staff) | elizabeth.kramer@ci.stcloud.mn.us | 320-255-7226
Partners: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2021
Implementation details:
The City uses the design guidelines and standards that are outlined in the Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDs). The City will look at ways it can expand the use of MIDs in 2021 by doing the Stormwater Management Assessment. For areas that discharge to sensitive resources such as Eagle Creek and Savage Fen the City has the following standards.
Water Quality
For areas that create greater than 10,000 square feet of new impervious the water quality requirements are as follows:
• All projects shall have a net decrease in Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) to receiving waters from existing conditions. For new development projects, the decrease in TP and TSS shall be 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively from existing conditions.
Volume Control
For areas that create greater than 10,000 square feet of new impervious the volume requirements are as follows:
• New developments that create 10,000 square feet or more of new impervious surface on sites without restrictions, the post-construction stormwater runoff volume retained on-site shall be equivalent to 1.0 inch of runoff from impervious surfaces.
• Redevelopment projects on sites without restrictions that create 10,000 square feet or more of new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces shall capture and retain on-site 1.1 inches of runoff from the new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces.
• Linear projects on sites without restrictions that create 10,000 square feet or greater of new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces shall capture and retain the larger of the following:
1. 0.55 inch of runoff from the new and fully reconstructed impervious surfaces.
2. 1.1 inches of runoff from the net increase in impervious area.
Water Quality
For areas that create greater than 10,000 square feet of new impervious the water quality requirements are as follows:
• All projects shall have a net decrease in Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) to receiving waters from existing conditions. For new development projects, the decrease in TP and TSS shall be 60 percent and 80 percent, respectively from existing conditions.
Volume Control
For areas that create greater than 10,000 square feet of new impervious the volume requirements are as follows:
• New developments that create 10,000 square feet or more of new impervious surface on sites without restrictions, the post-construction stormwater runoff volume retained on-site shall be equivalent to 1.0 inch of runoff from impervious surfaces.
• Redevelopment projects on sites without restrictions that create 10,000 square feet or more of new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces shall capture and retain on-site 1.1 inches of runoff from the new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces.
• Linear projects on sites without restrictions that create 10,000 square feet or greater of new and/or fully reconstructed impervious surfaces shall capture and retain the larger of the following:
1. 0.55 inch of runoff from the new and fully reconstructed impervious surfaces.
2. 1.1 inches of runoff from the net increase in impervious area.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Number of projects constructed/reconstructed using MIDS standards.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jesse Carlson (City Staff) | jcarlson@cityofsavage.com | 9528822686
Partners: