The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approved at its regular meeting held on January 24, 2024 the Sand Hill River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (Plan).
This Plan is effective for a ten-year period until January 24, 2034. Please be advised, the partners must adopt and begin implementing the plan within 120 days of the date of the Order in accordance with Minnesota Statutes §103B.101, Subd. 14 and 103B.801, and the One Watershed, One Plan Operating Procedures.
A public hearing on the draft plan for the Sand Hill River One Watershed, One Plan was held Monday, November 20th 2023, at the Sand Hill River Watershed District located at 219 N Mill
Street, Fertile, MN. Below are the documents presented. The full meeting notice can be found by clicking here.
The Sand Hill River Watershed District applied for a grant in 2021 to move forward with the One Watershed One Plan.
All partners include the Sand Hill River Watershed District, West Polk SWCD, East Polk SWCD, Norman County SWCD, Mahnomen County SWCD, Polk County, Norman County and Mahnomen County. Plans created through BWSR's One Watershed, One Plan program are called comprehensive watershed management plans and are described in Minnesota Statutes §103B.801 .
align local water planning purposes and procedures under this chapter and chapters 103C and 103D on watershed boundaries to create a systematic, watershed-wide, science-based approach to watershed management;
acknowledge and build off existing local government structure, water plan services, and local capacity;
incorporate and make use of data and information, including watershed restoration and protection strategies under section 114D.26;
solicit input and engage experts from agencies, citizens, and stakeholder groups; focus on implementation of prioritized and targeted actions capable of achieving measurable progress; and
serve as a substitute for a comprehensive plan, local water management plan, or watershed management plan developed or amended, approved, and adopted, according to chapter 103B, 103C or 103D.
Resources
What is a One Watershed One Plan?
{5:18} A high level look at the One Watershed, One Plan program (including what it is not), comprehensive watershed management plans, and a preview of the Three Big Ideas behind One Watershed, One Plan.
Three Big Ideas
{7:15} The Thee Big Ideas in the One Watershed, One Plan program: working together on local issues, “going with the flow” (planning along watershed boundaries), and making choices to show results (prioritize, target, measure)
Roles, Committees, and Commitments
{9:13} An explanation of how plans are developed in the One Watershed, One Plan program. Including an overview of committees, the steps in the planning process, and funding available to support planning and implementation.
A Brief History of Water Management In Minnesota
{6:06} One Watershed, One Plan is built on a foundation of water planning in Minnesota and the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. Learn about the important milestones in Minnesota’s shift to watershed-based data, monitoring, planning, and implementation.
Making Choices to Show Results
{7:45} Accountability is a key element of Minnesota’s approach to water management. Learn how plans incorporate the concepts of prioritizing, targeting, and measuring to “move the needle” on important water issues and demonstrate that partners are making good investments with public dollars.
