Watershed Management Plan Update

Lower Minnesota River Watershed District, Chaska, MN, 2016-2018

Background
In 2016, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) needed to amend its existing Watershed Management Plan (WMP) in response to technical advisory committee requests and to better align with adjacent cities and watershed organizations that were updating their water governance documents. The amendment focused on actions and plans related to wetlands, groundwater appropriations, floodplain management, construction erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and bluff management regulations.

Strengths & Solutions
Young Environmental led the LMRWD’s WMP amendment process. Using our experience in project management and stakeholder engagement, we designed and facilitated stakeholder workshops, developed a matrix of applicable regulations, facilitated meetings with regulatory agencies to ensure the standards were not duplicative, and ultimately authored the final plan. To further support the LMRWD, we helped develop communication strategies for the public, regulatory review agencies, and city engineering and planning staff. The amended WMP now clearly presents the full picture of the LMRWD’s goals and showcases its vision for the future of watershed management and planning in the areas it manages. 

Project Impact
The plan was approved by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in 2018. It will serve as the District’s active plan until 2027. View the plan here.

Watershed Planning, Resource Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Regulatory Compliance