BWSR seeks comments on amending metro water rules

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources sent this bulletin at 03/04/2013 09:20 AM CST

News release banner

For release: Mar. 4, 2013          Contact: Jennifer Maleitzke, 651-215-9008 (office); 651-315-5082 (cell)

BWSR seeks comments on amending metro water rules

St. Paul, Minn.—The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is seeking comments on possible amendments to the 20-year old Minnesota Rule, Chapter 8410, which governs local water management in the seven-county metropolitan area.

The goal of the rule revision is to build on BWSR’s experience implementing the Metropolitan Water Management program by moving away from an overly prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach to a more result-oriented framework. If the rule revision is adopted, future watershed plans would consist of periodically updated inventories and goals, and frequently updated implementation and capital improvement plan sections.

“This rule revision will give local water management organizations in the metro area more flexibility to conduct important water restoration and protection activities,” John Jaschke, BWSR Executive Director, said.

An advisory committee made up of interagency partners, representatives from metro counties, watershed districts, soil and water conservation districts and other partner organizations drafted the amendments during several meetings from 2011-2012. The draft rule amendments were also reviewed by various stakeholder groups.

The draft amendments, the current rule, and a summary of proposed changes can be found on the agency’s website: www.bwsr.state.mn.us. The public comment period begins today, Mar. 4, and continues through Apr. 22, 2013 until 4:30 p.m. Please direct all written comments, questions and requests for more information to: Jim Haertel, Metro Region Supervisor, Board of Water and Soil Resources, 520 Lafayette Road North, Saint Paul, MN 55155 or jim.haertel@state.mn.us, 651-297-2906; TTY: 1-800-627-3529.

 

You are subscribed to Media for Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. This information has recently been updated, and is now available.