As an interested citizen and as a member of several organizations concerned with water quality, I have been following the progress of the implementation of the stormwater utility fee. I am working with the Northstar chapter of the Sierra Club on a pilot program that could provide some assistance to those seeking water quality credits applied to the stormwater utility fee. I would really like this changeover to work and to have a positive effect on water quality. I would note that the City has just posted the following to help explain the changes. Thanks, Scott Vreeland Seward Environmentally-friendly practices can lower customers' stormwater fees Minneapolis property owners can qualify for reductions in their stormwater management fees by using effective stormwater management practices on their properties. Stormwater utility fee credits are available for practices that improve stormwater quality and reduce stormwater water quantity. The goal is to improve water quality by decreasing the potential for surface and groundwater pollution, and could include wet and dry ponds, rain gardens and pervious pavers. To qualify for a water quantity credit a property owner must demonstrate that the property has the capacity to handle either a ten or hundred-year rain event and show what effective measures are in place to reduce stormwater runoff. Beginning in March 2005, the costs for providing stormwater management are listed as a separate item on the City utility bills. The fee pays for the City's stormwater management system and its ongoing maintenance, which helps prevent and correct stormwater runoff problems throughout the city. In the past, these costs were included as part of the customers' sewer charges. The fee has been separated to more accurately and equitably charge customers for stormwater management. Each customer will now pay only for the estimated demand their property places on the stormwater management system. What does this mean to the average single-family residential home in Minneapolis? An average single-family residential property will pay $8.72 per month in stormwater utility fee and see little or no change in their current monthly bill. Sewer fees are being reduced from $3.64 per unit to $2 per unit because of this change. The combined total of the two fees will not increase the overall revenue generated from the previous sewer fee. For more information about the stormwater utility fee, or to apply for a stormwater management credit, visit _www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/stormwater_ (http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/stormwater) . March 7, 2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list.
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