Clearwater River Watershed District
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    • Clearwater River Chain of Lakes (1980) Restoration Project >
      • Annandale Wetland Treatment System
      • Kingston Wetland Feasibility Study and Restoration Project
      • Lake Augusta Aeration Project
      • Lake Augusta Erosion Control Project
      • 1980 Monitoring Program
      • Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement (TCCP) Project
      • Upper Lakes Aeration and Mechanical Fish Removal
      • Watkins Wetland Isolation Project
      • Watkins Wetland Treatment System
      • Replacement Projects for Aerators
    • Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Projects >
      • Alternative Tile Intake Project
      • Clearwater River Channel Stabilization (CCM Riparian) Project
      • Clearwater River Restoration & Protection Phase II Project
      • City of Kimball Stormwater Treatment Phase II
      • Targeted Fertilizer Application Reduction Project
      • Watkins Area Stormwater Treatment Project
      • Willow Creek (Kimball Phase I) Stormwater Retention / Reuse Project
      • Potential Future Implementation Projects
    • Bass Lake AIS Management
    • Clear Lake South Notch Weir
    • Cedar Albion Swartout Henshaw Project #06-1 >
      • CASH Project #06-1 Fish Barriers
      • CASH Project #06-1 Rough Fish Removal
      • CASH Project #06-1 Segner Pond
      • Cedar Lake Watershed Protection & Improvement Project
    • Clear Lake North V-Notch Weir
    • Clearwater Lake Milfoil Treatment
    • CRWD Bog Control Projects
    • Communal Sanitary Sewer Systems >
      • Clearwater Harbor - Hidden River Project #18-1 (Nitrogen Mitigation & Analysis Plan Implementation)
    • Lake Augusta Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • Lakes Louisa & Marie Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • Norton Avenue Basin
    • Ostmark Basin
    • Pleasant Lake Outlet Control Structure
    • Cedar Lake Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • School Section Lake Outlet Control Structure
    • Wastewater Treatment Task Force
    • Water Quality Monitoring Program
  • Contact

​Clearwater Harbor - Hidden River Project #18-1 (Nitrogen Mitigation & Analysis Plan Implementation)

Current Project Status

Treatment Building- Information from Public Hearing
CWH-HR P#18-1 Public Hearing Notice - October 2018

​Legislative Letters

The Clearwater River Watershed District was successful in being awarded 80% funding from the Point Source Implementation Program on behalf of the residents on the Clearwater Harbor and Hidden River Sanitary Sewer Systems. The funding is necessary to make treatment system upgrades needed to meet new (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) MPCA permit requirements. 

However, the Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIF) funding source has been challenged by a lawsuit from the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), and is on hold indefinitely. 

Our legislators were key in supporting the House Bill 3332 and Senate Bill 3415 that amended Minnesota Statue 446A.073 to increase Wastewater Infrastructure Funding Program from 50% to 80%.  

With the lawsuit in play, we will need their support again to move funding through. We have included a sample form letter that residents can use to prepare a personal letter to their legislators urging support for releasing the PSIG program funding at 80% through additional legislative action early this session. 
​
Download letter template to send to your representatives
Who are my local representatives?

​Project Narrative

The Clearwater Harbor and Hidden River Sanitary Sewer Systems were constructed in the early-to-mid 2000s at a cost of ~$2 million, paid for by residents via special assessments. The Clearwater River Watershed District was petitioned by the developer of the Hidden River plat to construct the Hidden River system, while the Stearns County Board of Commissioners petitioned the Clearwater Harbor system. The two sewer systems are located north of Clearwater Lake. The systems treat wastewater for 112 properties in a manner that must protect groundwater as well as nearby surface waters from sewage pollution.

The systems are permitted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The permit has a robust set of requirements which includes groundwater monitoring for nitrogen levels. The original MPCA permit required monitoring of nitrogen via groundwater monitoring wells, but in 2014 the permit changed to require that nitrogen not exceed 10mg/liter at said wells. One of the monitoring wells located down-gradient of the drain fields for the two systems has had total concentrations above 20mg/liter, exceeding the MPCA policy standards. As such, the MPCA mandated the CRWD address these levels and develop a nitrogen mitigation and analysis plan (NMAP). By May 30, 2019, the CRWD must demonstrate to the MPCA the nitrogen policy standards are being met in order to comply with the permit.

​Beginning in 2014, the CRWD Board of Managers has developed the required NMAP and has progressed on implementation, culminating in the establishment of CRWD Project #18-1. In regards to implementation, the following has been accomplished:
  • Held public information sessions for residents of the two systems to provide input;
  • Conducted detailed engineering analysis to determine potential alternatives to meet permit requirements;
  • Developed preliminary engineered designs needed to apply for grant funding to offset residents' costs;
  • Prepared cost analysis to estimate potential costs;
  • Secured placement of the project on the state's project priority list, increasing opportunities for grant funding;
  • Contacted state legislators for the support of state legislation to increase grant funding;
  • Conducted a detailed hydrogeological investigation to better quantify what is occurring with groundwater to provide better information for project design;
  • Hosted a listening session where residents could voice concerns directly with their local legislators;
  • Applied for Point Source Implementation Grant (PSIG) Program with the state Public Facilities Authority in an effort to secure grant funding;
  • Held discussions with MPCA on establishing a compliance schedule should grant funding for the project not be secured within permit timeline;
  • Completed technical & cost specifications report, along with design package to construct a nitrogen mitigation system to comply with MPCA permit;
  • Submitted design packet to MPCA to seek project certification and increase score via PSIG program;
  • Continue to solicit support from state legislators for the project;
  • Called a public hearing on the proposed nitrogen mitigation system.


 In addition, the CRWD Board of Managers has set forth the following positions in regards to this project:
  • The implementation of a nitrogen removal system rests on the assumption that the State of Minnesota will provide at least 50% grant funding to help offset implementation costs to residents (see 06/01/2016 Board Minutes);
  • As the lot owners of the Hidden River development have not demonstrated unanimous concurrence regarding decommissioning the Hidden River Sewer System and converting to individual septic treatment systems, the decommissioning of the Hidden River Sanitary Sewer System is not a viable option (see 08/16/2017 Board Minutes);
  • Funding for the local match portion of the project will be accomplished by a multi-year special assessment (see 06/01/2016 Board Minutes).

​Project Documents

Reports & Memorandums
  • CWH-HR P#18-1 Public Hearing Notice - October 2018
  • Technical & Cost Specifications Report | CH-HR NMAP P#18-1 - October 2018
  • Nitrogen Mitigation & Analysis Plan - August 2014
  • DESIGN PACKAGE | The full design package can be viewed at the CRWD office
​
CRWD Board of Managers Minutes

​MPCA permit, request for permit extension
  • Current MPCA Operating Permit for CH-HR - June 2014
  • Letter to MPCA requesting discussion on operating permit extension for CH-HR - September 2017
Letters to Residents of Hidden River and Clearwater Harbor
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - March 2018
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - September 2017
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - June 2017
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - March 2017
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - April 2016
  • CH-HR Resident Communication - June 2014
Outreach to State Legislators
  • Example of email update to local legislators on project - February 2018
  • Letter to legislators requesting support for increasing PSIG funding and grant percentage - April 2017
  • Letter to legislators requesting support for clarification on the affect of "unadopted rules" by MPCA - April 2017
  • Invitation to local legislators re: listening session w/ residents - February 2017
  • Letter to legislators requesting support for for increasing state grant program grant percentage - April 2016
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This page is maintained by CRWD Board Managers. 
​
​© Copyright 2020
Board Meetings
Third Wednesday of the month at 6pm
​
Special and emergency meetings may be called. Such meetings will be properly notice per MN Statutes. 
Clearwater River Watershed District 
93 Oak Avenue South, Suite 5
Annandale, MN 55302

Mailing Address:
3235 Fernbrook Ln N
​Minneapolis, MN 55447
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  • Learn About the CRWD
    • CRWD History
    • Board of Managers
    • Board Meetings
    • Meeting Minutes
    • Advisory Committee
    • Staff
    • Guiding Documents >
      • CRWD 10 Year Watershed Plan
      • CRWD Rules & Regulations
      • Policy Book
    • CRWD Facts
    • Glossary
  • Reports
    • Annual Reports
    • Audit Reports
    • CRWD Brochures
    • Total Maximum Daily Load Reports
    • Water Quality Monitoring Reports >
      • Grass Lake Dam Readings
    • Project Inspection Reports
  • How You Can Help
    • AIS Education >
      • 2023 AIS Forum
      • 2022 AIS Forum
    • Incentives >
      • Agricultural Incentives
      • Residential / Commercial Incentives
      • Partnership Incentives
    • Invasive Species
    • Implement Best Management Practices (BMPs)
    • Increase your knowledge
    • Join a Lake Association
  • Projects
    • Clearwater River Chain of Lakes (1980) Restoration Project >
      • Annandale Wetland Treatment System
      • Kingston Wetland Feasibility Study and Restoration Project
      • Lake Augusta Aeration Project
      • Lake Augusta Erosion Control Project
      • 1980 Monitoring Program
      • Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement (TCCP) Project
      • Upper Lakes Aeration and Mechanical Fish Removal
      • Watkins Wetland Isolation Project
      • Watkins Wetland Treatment System
      • Replacement Projects for Aerators
    • Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Projects >
      • Alternative Tile Intake Project
      • Clearwater River Channel Stabilization (CCM Riparian) Project
      • Clearwater River Restoration & Protection Phase II Project
      • City of Kimball Stormwater Treatment Phase II
      • Targeted Fertilizer Application Reduction Project
      • Watkins Area Stormwater Treatment Project
      • Willow Creek (Kimball Phase I) Stormwater Retention / Reuse Project
      • Potential Future Implementation Projects
    • Bass Lake AIS Management
    • Clear Lake South Notch Weir
    • Cedar Albion Swartout Henshaw Project #06-1 >
      • CASH Project #06-1 Fish Barriers
      • CASH Project #06-1 Rough Fish Removal
      • CASH Project #06-1 Segner Pond
      • Cedar Lake Watershed Protection & Improvement Project
    • Clear Lake North V-Notch Weir
    • Clearwater Lake Milfoil Treatment
    • CRWD Bog Control Projects
    • Communal Sanitary Sewer Systems >
      • Clearwater Harbor - Hidden River Project #18-1 (Nitrogen Mitigation & Analysis Plan Implementation)
    • Lake Augusta Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • Lakes Louisa & Marie Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • Norton Avenue Basin
    • Ostmark Basin
    • Pleasant Lake Outlet Control Structure
    • Cedar Lake Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Project
    • School Section Lake Outlet Control Structure
    • Wastewater Treatment Task Force
    • Water Quality Monitoring Program
  • Contact