DNR Update for the N&E Metro GWMA Project

DNR Designates Groundwater Management Area for the North & East Metro

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this week designated the State's first groundwater management area.   The designated area includes all of Washington and Ramsey counties, along with portions of Anoka and Hennepin counties.  The DNR also approved a management plan for the area designed to ensure adequate supplies of groundwater.

The North and East Metro Groundwater Management Area (GWMA) Plan lays out five broad objectives and describes specific actions the DNR will take to ensure adequate groundwater supplies to meet human needs while protecting lakes, streams and wetlands. The plan was developed over two years by DNR staff and an advisory team of nearly two dozen representatives of local government, industry, and other agencies. 

“Here in the land of 10,000 lakes and hundreds of streams and rivers, it’s easy to take water for granted,” said Commissioner Tom Landwehr. “But in some parts of Minnesota, such as the north and east metro area, growing demands on groundwater could place our aquifers and other resources at risk if we’re not careful. This plan explains how the DNR will work to make sure our use of groundwater remains sustainable.”

The plan provides a framework within which the DNR will work with major water users including municipalities. This cooperative effort will promote conservation, protect surface waters and water quality, improve the groundwater appropriations permitting process, and resolve any conflicts that might arise among users.

The North and East Metro Groundwater Management Area is one of three groundwater management areas being established around the State. The other two are in central Minnesota’s Bonanza Valley just west of St. Cloud, and around the Straight River near Park Rapids in north-central Minnesota.

More information, including plans and maps for the North & East Metro Groundwater Management Area, can be found on the project webpage.

Meeting Announcement

The next meeting of the Project Advisory Team is scheduled for November 20, 2015.  Details are as follows:

What:              N&E Metro GWMA Project Advisory Team meeting

Date:               November 20, 2015

Time:               8:30 – 11:30 AM

Where:            DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155

The meeting agenda includes:

• Introduction of new Advisory Team members
• Designation of the Groundwater Management Area
• Updates from the GWMA
• Implementation plans

More information about the planned meeting and the agenda will be posted on the project webpage.

Individuals do not need to be on the Advisory Team to attend. The Advisory Team meetings are open for interested parties to observe and time is available to provide comments and ideas.

For directions and parking information for the DNR Central Office, visit the parking webpage.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this project, please contact Paul Putzier, DNR project manager at 651-259-5692; paul.putzier@state.mn.us or visit the DNR’s GWMA webpage.