Final Draft of Appendix K: LMRWD Standards

Posted: 05/09/18

The final draft of Appendix K: Lower Minnesota River Watershed District Standards can be found here.

In October 2016, the Board of Managers of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) began preparation of an amendment to its Watershed Management Plan dated 2011 (the Plan).  The decision to amend the plan was based upon recommendations from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and changes to MN Rule 8410.

The Board determined that an amendment would be more appropriate than a complete update to the Plan.  A draft Plan amendment was presented to the TAC at four meetings in Febraury and March 2017.  District staff also met with each city individually, prior to release of the draft Plan amendment for the 60-day comment period in July 2017.

The end of the comment period was September 1, 2017, however several review agencies and municipalities requested the comment be extended.  The Board extended the comment period to September 20, 2017.  The comments and the LMRWD responses were posted to the LMRWD's website on October 8, 2017 and  public hearing was held October 25th.

At the October 25th public hearing, the Board continued the public hearing and directed staff to hold public information meetings to provide an opportunity for the public to learn about proposed changes to the LMRWD standards and comments.  The Board also directed that the TAC meet again before the public hearing be re-convened.  In December 2017, the Board approved a revision to Appendix K - LMRWD Draft Standards.  The revision was made in response to comments received from residents and municipalities at the October public hearing.  The revised Appendix K was presented to the TAC in January 2018.  Comments were requested.

The comment/reponse log was updated in January 2018, to address comments received after the close of the comment period in September 2017 and at the public hearing.  Informational meetings were held in the cities of Bloomington, Eden Prairie (Chanhassen resident were invited to this meeting), Burnsville and Savage.  District staff met with the Carver City Council and city staffs of Bloomington, Burnsville, Savage, and Shakopee.  Staff also met with staff from the MN DNR.

The public hearing was reconvened in April 2018 and the comment/response log was updated and posted to the LMRWD's website 10 days before the public hearing.  The public hearing was closed and the Board directed staff to prepare the final draft of the Plan amendment for review at the May 16, 2018 Board of Manager meeting prior to submittal to BWSR for the 90-day review.  Several cities and review agencies requested to see the final draft language.

The final draft of Appendix K is complete and ready for review.

Questions should be directed to LMRWD Administrator, Linda Loomis, by phone at 763-545-4659 or by e-mail at naiadconsulting@gmail.com