2000-09-14_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

BWSR Meeting Minutes May 24, 2000 Page Seven Nevv Business Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) Boundary Change -Jim Haertel reported that the Minnehaha Creek Watershed. District submitted a boundary change petition dated February 9, 2000 for lands in the vicinity of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Subsequent to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District filing, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District filed a petition for the lands in the vicinity of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, including some of the same lands as Minnehaha Creek petitioned for. The area of overlay is termed the "contested" area. The Metro Water Planning Subcommittee held a public hearing on both petitions at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center on April 27, 2000. Jim stated that there were many issues surrounding these two boundary change petitions that involved the international airport, the many different federal lands, state lands, the Minneapolis Park Board and Camp Coldwater and Coldwater Spring. A major issue was the MNDot project for the Highways 55 and 62 interchange. The Metro Water Planning Subcommittee met on May 11, 2000 and recommends approval of the boundary change. The recommendation does not approve Minnehaha Creek Watershed District's requested boundary in the "contested" area. The MCWD subsequently passed a resolution to withdraw their petition on the boundary change, however it was after the record had closed. The boundary determination is based primarily on the existing surface water drainage of the petitioned area, but with consideration given to commonality of land use, groundwater flow, parcel configuration, desires of land occupiers, and future storm water drainage projects. Jim stated that the MCWD voted to withdraw their petition on the boundary change. Dwain Otte stated that generally the watershed district boundaries are based on which way surface water flows within a given area. Surface water in the area claimed by both the MCWD and the LMRWD doesn't flow into either Minnehaha Creek or the Minnesota River, but into the Mississippi River. Chair Roer stated that her principle concern is that the area was not under the jurisdiction of the watershed district. or water management organization, so having these federal lands under either watershed district is positive for water management. The language in the order recognizes the importance of water resources, but that resources may be effected by actions of man outside a particular district is what is being claimed. She stated that the important positive result is that these districts work together to protect both surface and ground water resources, with the hope of accomplishing good water management as a result. Chair Roer informed those present that the BWSR meeting is a public meeting, but is not the place for public testimony since the public hearing was already held. Ron Harnack stated that federal agencies have an obligation to consider and comply with local and state water management