Resolution No. _____________

(VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP)

of ________________ County, Minnesota 

(MONTH, DAY, YEAR) 

WELLHEAD PROTECTION POLICY
AND
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES 

PREAMBLE:

Statement of Purpose 

The purpose of this resolution is to set forth the policy and administrative procedures which will be used by the (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP) to protect the municipal water supply.

Background

Groundwater is an essential source of fresh water for the public water supply system of (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP).

Virtually any activity on the surface of the ground which involves hazardous substances may contaminate the groundwater. Once polluted, groundwater is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to clean. The natural microorganisms which help break down some pollutants on the surface of the ground and in the top soil layers are not present (or not present in sufficient quantities) in groundwater. The slow rates of groundwater flow, ranging from one foot per day to one foot in fifty years, limit dilution or dispersal of contaminants. Groundwater contaminated by today’s land uses and activities may remain contaminated for hundreds of years.

The State Of Minnesota (Department of Health) Wellhead Protection Program is requiring all public water suppliers to develop local wellhead protection programs. A complete program submission includes the following key elements:

• Identification of roles and responsibilities
• Assessment of data elements
• Delineation of Wellhead Protection Area(s)
• Vulnerability assessment
• Identification of potential sources of contamination
• Establishment of management strategies for the Wellhead Protection Area
• Evaluation program
• Water supply contingency strategy
• Review and comment by the public
• Implementation of the Wellhead Protection Plan
• Resolution of disputes
• Enforcement

As defined by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the wellhead protection area is "the surface and subsurface area surrounding a water well or wellfield, supplying a public water system, through which contaminants are reasonably likely to move toward and reach such water well or well field". In order to develop a wellhead protection plan, each of the twelve (12) above-mentioned elements must be addressed.

The Minnesota Wellhead Protection Program recognizes the importance of local leadership and commitment for effective wellhead protection. A wide range of management strategies, including land use planning, zoning, subdivision controls, interagency cooperation and community education may be useful in a wellhead protection program.

It is the intent of (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP) to alert persons applying for land use, building, or subdivision approvals about state requirements for environmental protection. Any land uses or activities which may pose a threat to the public water supply and groundwater shall be properly managed to minimize the possibility of contamination.

RESOLUTION:

WHEREAS, the (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP) recognizes the importance if its groundwater supply as a natural resource used for drinking; and

WHEREAS, it is within the responsibility of the (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP), as a public water supplier, to consider the health, safety and welfare of its customers; and

WHEREAS, groundwater contamination can and does occur as a consequence of a variety of land use activities; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable to preserve and protect the quality and quantity of our groundwater resources to assure a continued safe, adequate, and useable supply both now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, the protection of current and potential future sources of groundwater used for drinking water is worthwhile from the standpoint of resource protection; and

WHEREAS, state, county and municipal laws and regulations require certain land uses to obtain permits and approvals for construction and operation; and

WHEREAS, state agencies are not always aware of new development proposals and the owners or developers of proposed new land uses are not always aware of state, county and municipal permit and approval requirements; and

WHEREAS, local government officials, through adopted zoning ordinances, have the legal authority to review and/or approve land uses for the purposes of meeting the needs of the state’s residents for natural resource protection and public services, including public water supplies;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP) does hereby agree to take action to: (1.) protect their immediate wellhead area and (2.) to take steps to determine the zone of contribution to the wells or wellfield(s) in compliance with the State of Minnesota Wellhead Protection Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the (COUNCIL/BOARD) requests the establishment of a "Budget Line Item" for wellhead protection in order to determine the zone of contribution to their well(s) or wellfield(s), and to implement their wellhead protection plan, at such time as funds become available; and

BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that the (VILLAGE, CITY, TOWNSHIP) issue no land use permit, zoning permit, building or occupancy permit until such time that all required federal, state, county and/or local environmental permits or approvals have been obtained, and/or there is evidence that proper application to the responsible municipal, county, state or federal agencies has been made and significant issues affecting a State approved wellhead protection area have been addressed. An Environmental Permits Checklist will hereby be adopted for administrative use when new, changed or expanded land use activities are proposed.

Adopted this ___________ day of ____(MONTH)___, ___(YEAR)___.

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