PATRIOT
Carver County commissioners were afloat in water issues at their Feb. 18 meeting. The county board conducted a public hearing on the Carver County water management plan, heard from Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Metropolitan Mosquito Control District representatives, and made decisions on redetermination of benefits from three county drainage ditches following public hearings earlier in the month.
The Carver County Water Management Organization is charged with managing lakes, rivers and wetlands within its boundaries to protect and preserve surface and groundwater in the midst of rapid growth and intensive agricultural activity. That area covers 320 square miles, includes 35 lakes larger than 10 acres, 365 miles of stream, and several watersheds. With its responsibility the organization has developed a management plan that includes a package of projects and grant programs around water quality factors like stormwater runoff and water reuse, stream bank stabilization, lake restoration, wetland protection, pollution prevention, and more.
Last Tuesday’s hearing was held to review and amend that project list. It is something done on a bi-annual basis to meet state statute, qualify for state grants, and to support project budget requests to the county board. Among the changes are 10 projects completed, 25 new projects, 50 in all.
Regarding the neighboring Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, county representative Bill Olson and District Administrator James Wisker provided an update on MCWD’s work in Carver County. Minnehaha Creek watershed is one of the largest urban watersheds in the state encompassing 178 square miles and 29 communities across Hennepin and a portion of Carver County.
By Al Lohman