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The Watershed Planning Area

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One Watershed, One Plan

The Lower MN River East Watershed planning area consists of partnerships between local elected leaders and conservation professionals. The partnership is in the process of developing a comprehensive watershed management plan that encompasses the entire planning area.

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According to Minnesota Statutes §103B.801, comprehensive watershed management plans must address: 

  • Surface water and ground water quality protection, restoration, and improvement, including prevention of erosion and soil transport into surface water systems

  • Restoration, protection, and preservation of natural surface water and groundwater storage and retention systems

  • Promotion of groundwater recharge

  • Minimization of public capital expenditures needed to correct flooding and water quality problems

  • Wetland enhancement, restoration, and establishment

  • Identification of priority areas for riparian zone management and buffers

  • Protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities

 

The Lower MN River East partnership was awarded a planning grant from the Board of Water & Soil Resources through the One Watershed, One Plan Program to develop this plan.  

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The Watershed Partners

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Funding for this plan was provided thanks to Minnesota’s Clean Water Fund, which works to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams.

To learn more, visit legacy.mn.gov.

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Committees

Policy Committee members

  • Daniel O'Keefe - Le Sueur County 

  • Greg Entinger - Le Sueur Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Richard Cook - Rice Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Jeff Docken - Rice County

  • Doug Schoenecker - Scott Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Rita Weaver - Scott County

  • Virgil Pint - Scott Watershed Management Organization

  • Laura Amundson - Lower Minnesota River Watershed District

Steering Committee members

  • Holly Kalbus - Le Sueur County

  • Mike Schultz - Le Sueur Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Brad Behrens - Rice County

  • Steve Pahs - Rice Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Linda Loomis - Lower MN River Watershed District

  • Vanessa Strong - Scott Watershed Management Organization

  • Melissa Bokman - Scott Watershed Management Organization

  • Troy Kuphal - Scott Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Meghan Darley - Scott Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Barb Peichel - Board of Water & Soil Resources

  • Anne Sawyer - Board of Water & Soil Resources

Technical Advisory Committee members

  • Holly Kalbus - Le Sueur County

  • Mike Schultz - Le Sueur Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Brad Behrens - Rice County

  • Steve Pahs - Rice Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Linda Loomis - Lower MN River Watershed District

  • Melissa Bokman - Scott Watershed Management Organization

  • Meghan Darley - Scott Soil & Water Conservation District

  • Barb Peichel - Board of Water & Soil Resources

  • Anne Sawyer - Board of Water & Soil Resources

  • Joni Giese - Prior Lake Spring Lake Watershed District

  • Brittany Faust - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

  • David DePaz - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

  • Joe Mulcahy - Metropolitan Council

  • John Freitag - Minnesota Department of Health

  • Travis Hirman - Minnesota Department of Agriculture

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