Stormwater information for:

Residential       Construction

  

Frequently Asked Questions:

	What is stormwater? Stormwater is rain or snow runoff, or other surface drainage, that tends to accumulate in developed areas. Naturally, this water would filter through the ground, but in areas with lots of impervious* surface, the water collects until it finds open ground to enter. *“Impervious” means impenetrable, or something water cannot filter through, like buildings and parking lots.
Miller Creek

 

 

Why does the City of Hermantown care about stormwater?

Hermantown is one of the fastest developing area in Northeast Minnesota. Lots of people are building new homes and businesses in Hermantown. That means that impervious surfaces are replacing some of the natural landscape, including forests, fields, and wetlands. In any development, stormwater has to find a new place to go, and this can affect the environment and residents of Hermantown.

 

Is stormwater dangerous to people?

Stormwater could be dangerous if not managed properly. Stormwater can cause floods if it builds up and has nowhere to go. It also washes pollution from parking lots and streets into the streams, which could be dangerous to play in or drink from.

 

Is stormwater dangerous to the environment? Stormwater is a natural part of the earth’s hydrologic system. However, humans tend to add things to stormwater that wouldn’t naturally be there.
	Trash in a stormwater ditch after a light rain
Oil from a leaky car in a parking lot gets washed away by stormwater and eventually ends up in wetlands or a creek. Cigarette butts float away in stormwater and accumulate in stormwater drains. De-icing chemicals used on roads during the winter get washed into the stormwater during snowmelt. Animal waste and fertilizers add nutrients to stormwater, cause dissolved oxygen to decline (fish breathe oxygen too!), and promote algae growth. Sediment from construction sites can clog streams. All these pollutants can be dangerous to plants and animals living in our wetlands and streams. If stormwater is very polluted, it may even prevent trout from swimming up designated trout streams

 

 

What does the City of Hermantown do to protect stormwater?

The City has a comprehensive Stormwater Pollution and Prevention Plan, which includes an educational program with public participation, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction and post-construction stormwater protection, and municipal standards for city employees.

The City is part of the Regional Stormwater Protection Team which is committed to stormwater education in the Duluth area

All construction projects require erosion control and are reviewed by the City staff

City employees are educated on stormwater protection and report violations to the Environmental Resources Specialist

 

Do I need a permit to do anything that may change stormwater flow on my property?

YES! In fact, you may need more than one permit, depending on the project:

If your project is less than one acre, it will be usually be regulated by the City of Hermantown

If you want to add or excavate soil, you need a land alteration permit

If you want to build a structure, you will need a building permit

If you want to do something that isn’t allowed in your zoning district, you will need a special use permit

If you want to alter wetlands, you will have to apply for permits from the City and/or MPCA

If your project is more than one acre, it will be regulated by the MPCA/South St. Louis SWCD and usually require a NPDES permit

Because Hermantown has so many wetlands, you will often need to have a professional wetland delineation done before permits will be considered.

Often the permitting process can take several months, depending upon wetland or stormwater impacts. This is to ensure effective evaluations of all projects to help protect Hermantown and it's residents. Please contact City Hall if you may need a permit in the future-- it's best to start early.