Watershed Management Plan

2020 Update

Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) is updating its Watershed Management Plan (Plan). The Plan outlines how CRWD will pursue its mission to protect, manage, and improve water resources of the District over the next 10 years.

The 2020 Plan will be the third iteration of the Plan, replacing the 2010 Plan. Development of the 2020 Plan will build on previous CRWD experience, meaningful input from stakeholders and partners, and the District’s recent Strategic Planning effort.

The District will be working to update the Plan over the next two years, following the process outlined in Minnesota Statutes 103B and Minnesota Rules 8410. The Plan update is divided into four phases: Public Outreach, Draft Plan Development, Formal Plan Review, and Plan Adoption. Throughout the Plan update process, the District will be seeking input from stakeholders like you.

Throughout the Plan update process, the District will be seeking input from stakeholders like you.

Community members share their views on water resources ,May 2019

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder input is an important part of establishing Plan priorities and fostering the community support and cooperation necessary to successfully carry out CRWD projects and programs.

CRWD has designed a stakeholder engagement process that is meaningful, relevant, accessible, inclusive, and equitable so that CRWD’s communities are represented, engaged, heard and empowered throughout the Plan update process.

Throughout the Plan update, the District will use a range of activities to work with various stakeholder audiences. Plan stakeholders include: residents, neighborhood organizations & community groups, state agencies, property & business owners, citizen advisory committee (CAC), a technical advisory committee (TAC) representing municipalities, State and regional agencies and major institutions, and adjacent watershed organizations.

Community Engagement Summary

As part of the development of the Plan, the District conducted outreach activities from April through June 2019 to gather input from a broad, diverse group of stakeholders in order to gain an understanding of their views related to water in their community. Methods of community input include participation at community events in the district, discussions with District Planning Councils, watershed community conversations, meetings with community leaders, and online surveys. See the Outreach Summary for a map of locations or contact us for a list.

 

Views of Water Resources in the Community

Community members shared their thoughts on valuable community resources, citing recreations benefits and the importance of access to water and natural resources on their lives, and opportunities for resource improvement. Many participants noted the influence of water and natural resources on their physical health and overall well-being, citing recreational benefits of access to high-quality natural areas. Trees, vegetation, and green space were cited as valuable resources and areas for improvement, while many respondents noted concerns of pollution and climate change.

Key Outcomes

  • Strong emphasis on vegetation, green space, and a associated benefits for recreations and quality of life
  • Concerns about the impact of climate change on water resources and vegetation
  • Interest in community participation through rain gardens and other practices
  • Increase public awareness of local water resources and CRWD’s work to improve resource health
View Outreach Summary

Draft Plan Development

Following a thorough stakeholder engagement process, the District has begun writing sections of the draft Plan. Draft Plan tables, text, and figures will be posted on this page for viewing and feedback prior to submittal of the complete draft Plan for formal review. There will be a community meeting to present the draft plan in March/April 2020. Draft Plan sections may include:

  • Executive Summary
  • Land and Water Resources Inventory
  • Issues and Opportunities
  • Goals and Policies
  • Program Implementation
  • Appendices

Formal Plan Review

After the draft Plan is written, CRWD’s Board of Managers must submit the Plan for formal review as described in Minnesota Statutes 103B. The entire formal review process may take up to 9 months and includes several sequential steps. Below is an anticipated schedule, which is subject to change.

  • Submit Draft Plan for 60-day review (March 2020-May 2020)
  • Receive and compile comments (May 2020)
  • Distribute written responses to comments  (June 2020)
  • Hold a public hearing on the Plan (July 2020)
  • Resubmit Plant to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) for final approval (June 2020-September 2020)
  • Adopt the Plan (September 2020)

Provide Comments in Person or Online:

    • Submit a comment to CRWD’s WMP Project Manager, Anna Eleria.
    • Attend a public hearing, details forthcoming.