Abstract
There has been a coalition of the MS4-permitted cities in Minnesota since 2002, the beginning of the Phase II MS4 program. Since 2006, it has been the Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition (MCSC). Out of about 170 permitted cities in the state, the fee-paying membership of MCSC has always been about 120-130 cities. MCSC is directly affiliated with the League of Minnesota Cities, the state chapter of the National League of Cities. MCSC has significantly shaped the political and regulatory landscape for stormwater management and permitting in our state. The cities have seen great value in membership in and engagement with MCSC.
The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance (NMSA) includes 26 state coalitions of MS4 permittees throughout the United States as members. There are other state-level permittee coalitions that are not NMSA members. The structure and capacities of these organizations vary greatly, but MS4 permittees have found value in and purpose for these coalitions in many states.
The speaker for this seminar, Randy Neprash, is uniquely qualified to present and discuss the importance and value of such state-level permittee coalitions. He was the sole staff for MCSC for more than 20 years, since its formation, and continues to work for MCSC on a part-time, semi-retired basis. He has participated in far more policy and regulatory stakeholder meetings and processes than anyone in their right mind should. Randy was one of the founders of NMSA and served in NMSA’s leadership for several years. He received the 2014 APWA Professional Manager of the Year in Water Resources award and the 2024 Minnesota Water Resources Conference Dave Ford Award for significant long-term achievement, both honors that are rarely awarded to stormwater professionals.