New Council Administrator Announced: Clean Water Council Update

Minnesota Clean Water Council sent this bulletin at 04/10/2025 07:00 AM CDT

New Administrator for the Clean Water Council

Jen Kader will be the Clean Water Council’s new Administrator beginning May 7, 2025.

The selection committee reviewed many outstanding applications, but Kader’s experience at Freshwater, the Metropolitan Council, and as a previous member and Vice Chair of the Council made her an ideal candidate. She also has experience interacting with the Legislature and in facilitating dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including serving as lead facilitator for several comprehensive watershed management plans as part of the One Watershed One Plan process.

Kader played a leadership role in 2018-2019 in bringing together the original supporters of the Clean Water Fund to determine the future trajectory of the Fund, and in assisting the Clean Water Council with the development of its first strategic plan. In her current role at the Metropolitan Council, she has supported current member on-boarding and provided guidance for the Clean Water Council’s development of a public engagement strategy.

Current Administrator Paul Gardner has planned for many months to depart at the end of the legislative session after the Legislature approves the latest biennial recommendations for the Clean Water Fund. He will work alongside Kader for several weeks to ensure an orderly and seamless transition.

“I’m thrilled to be handing the role to Jen Kader,” Gardner said. "She has been instrumental in helping the Council with its strategic thinking for many years and will be a great asset."

Gardner's last day with the Council will be June 3rd.

"It's been a pleasure to work with so many smart, dedicated professionals in our state agencies, the University of Minnesota, local government, and on the Council during the past six and a half years," Gardner continued.

Upcoming Meetings & Project Updates

Upcoming Meetings

Full Council: The next meeting is Monday, April 21st (topics: drinking water outcomes, others TBD). The packet from the March 17th meeting (topics: Adjustments to Clean Water Fund recommendations based on the latest budget forecast; public engagement strategy proposal; outcomes discussion) has been posted at our web site.

Policy Committee: The next meeting is Friday, May 23rd (topics: data center follow-up and update on the private well initiative in southeastern Minnesota). The April 25th meeting is cancelled. The March 28th meeting packet (topics: data center follow-up and update on the private well initiative in southeastern Minnesota) has been posted at our web site.

Budget & Outcomes Committee: The next meeting is May 2nd (topics: TBD). The April 4th meeting packet (topics: outcomes dashboard ideas, project scoring rubric, and Upper Mississippi protection goals) has been posted.

Update on Projects Supported by the Clean Water Fund

BWSR Snapshots: The Board of Water and Soil Resources has issued its latest monthly project Snapshots, which feature projects supported by the Clean Water Fund.

Renville County cooperation brings additional water storage options
Bassett Creek watershed project offers multiple benefits, enhanced Golden Valley park
Cook County SWCD partnership aids water quality, improves road safety

An apple farmer by day, conservation champion for a lifetime | Local News | hometownsource.com: Contributions of Jim Birkholz, including work on Clean Water Fund-supported work in the St. Croix basin, are noted.

Introducing Minnesota’s 24-Hour Nitrate Network | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency: Come explore nitrate levels in surface water through the 24-Hour Nitrate Network on April 25th at 10 a.m. This collaborative effort among state and federal agencies provides free, publicly accessible water quality data from areas in Minnesota with historically high nitrate concentrations.

The state of Minnesota's soil health - Morning Ag Clips: By combining remote sensing, USDA Agricultural Census data, and state-reported cost-share, the article pulled together a county-level dataset that can serve as a baseline for comparison to track changes in Minnesota’s ag practices over the coming years. Here’s a quick peek at the current state of Minnesota’s soil health.

Review of o-toluidine: The Health Risk Assessment Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has started the chemical review of o-toluidine. MDH reviews chemical toxicity information in response to requests from state agencies and individuals to determine if health-based guidance values need to be developed or updated. o-Toluidine is an industrial chemical used in the manufacturing of dyes, pigments, synthetic rubber, and the local anesthetic, prilocaine. o-Toluidine is also a precursor in the manufacturing of pesticides metolachlor and acetochlor. If you have questions or would like to share information about this chemical, please contact health.risk@state.mn.us.

Review of trifluoroacetate: The Health Risk Assessment Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has also started the chemical review of trifluoroacetate (TFA). TFA is an industrial chemical used as a laboratory reagent, as a catalyst, and can also be formed as a byproduct of chemical synthesis. TFA is a known breakdown product of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), which are widely used as refrigerants. It can also be a breakdown product of some per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. TFA concentrations are increasing in the environment and can be spread through the atmosphere. It is persistent in the environment and mobile in water. If you have questions or would like to share information about this chemical, please contact health.risk@state.mn.us.

Protecting groundwater grants for Crow Wing County residents - Brainerd Dispatch | News, weather, sports from Brainerd and Baxter: Crow Wing County was awarded state grants to seal unused wells and upgrade septic systems.

Other Relevant Water News

No Fountain Lake dredging this summer as Watershed District plans an appeal regarding permit for project: The dredging of Fountain Lake in the Shell Rock River Watershed District will not take place this summer because of issues tied to permitting for the project.

Grant-funded watershed project on District 518 land in limbo: The watershed district in Worthington received a grant two years ago from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources to construct a dam on the stream that flows through the property, thereby allowing phosphorus and sediment to settle before the water reaches Lake Okabena.

Public Speaks on Proposed Changes to Lake Ocheda Management Plan: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources proposes up to 2-year drawdown of rural Worthington lake to encourage vegetative growth, reduce roughfish population.

Ag-Urban Partnership Forum, April 15, 2025: The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and the Minnesota Department of Health are sponsoring the Ag-Urban Partnership Forum. The Forum will be held on April 15 in Sauk Rapids and is geared towards municipal employees, farmers/producers, LGUs and environmental professionals.

Success of buffer law depends on where you look: Warren Formo, Clean Water Council member, provides an update. "We’re approaching the 10-year anniversary of the buffer law. According to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), 99.8% of land parcels adjacent to Minnesota waters are in compliance with the law."

Updating Minnesota's Nutrient Reduction Strategy: You can view the webinar recording showing interactive water quality maps from the MPCA on March 21st. If you want to listen to the March 21, webinar on Interactive Water Quality Maps from the Minnesota Nutrient Reduction Strategy, you can view the webinar recording and explore six interactive maps.