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Wi R W RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT March 23, 2018 Mr. Mark Statz,Administrator City of Centerville 1880 Main Street Centerville, MN 55038-9794 Dear Mr.Statz: The Rice Creek Watershed District Board (RCWD) would like to make its city and county partners aware of the RCWD priority legislative issues for this legislative session. RCWD has contacted its legislative delegation requesting support of HF 2687/SF 2419 clarifying public waters and public drainage system laws.This letter provides information on these bills and their importance. FIF 2687 and SF 2419 state that Did R permit requirements do not apply to public drainage ditch maintenance and repairs. Recently,the DNR has begun placing substantial burdens on drainage authorities and property owners leading to significant delay and increased expense in drainage system maintenance and repairs. This threatens our ability to maintain the already limited stormaxater conveyances within your community,The proposed legislation secures existing rights and obligations to maintain public drainage systems to their"as-constructed"efficiencies while still providing protections to public water resources. In apparent response to the proposed legislation,the DRIB has finalized new policy guidance dated February 28,2018.Though we have concerns with the new guidance,we have yet to see whether application of the new guidance will substantially impact the timeliness and cost of repairs. Consequently,we support the bills remaining on hold in committee until we determine how implementation of the guidance will impact drainage system repairs. RCWD asks that you support this legislation if the DPIR's implementation of its new guidance continues to disrupt drainage system maintenance and repairs, As the public drainage authority,the RCWD is required by law to maintain and repair of the public ditch systems.This public ditch maintenance is critical to the economy and environment. We have included background information on this topic. If you have any questions regarding HF 2687/SF 2419 or any RCWD initiatives, please contact District Administrator, Phil Belfiori,at763-398-3071or , c. ............. Sincerely, Rice Creek Watershed District Board of Managers Anoka County Patricia Preiner, President 4325 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE #6111 Blaine, MN 55449 1 T- 763 398 3070 1 F: 763-,398-3088 1 www.ricecreek.org BOARD OF Michael). Bradley Barbara A. Haake Patricia L. Preiner Steven P. Wagannon John J. Waller MANAGERS Ramsey County Rarnsey County 58amoka County Anoka County Washington County