2001-08-23_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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BWSR IVleeting 1Vlinutes July 25, 2001 Page Three Minnesota Planning for this study. Minnesota Planning will hire asix-month position to assist them .with this project. The Water Resources Committee, which. is a subcommittee of the Environmental Quality Board, will play a principal role working with the study. The next Water Resources Committee meeting will be July 31St The first legislative reports are due in late August and final report to the legislature in February. Doug reported that the City of Lakeville had some well interference issues recently, due to dry weather, wells went dry. DNR is engaged in that issue. Representative Dennis Ozment has concerns about groundwater and groundwater protection in the Metropolitan area. Dispute Resolution Committee -Chair Coe reported that there are presently three appeals pending. All three involve WCA. One appeal is an exemption determination in McLeod County. The appeal has been remanded to the county to develop a better record including more technical analysis. Another pending appeal is in LaCrescent along the .Mississippi River in Houston County.. The replacement plan denial arose from a cease and desist order and a restoration order. The appeal has been accepted and a pre-hearing conference will be scheduled once the record has been received. Another pending appeal regards an exemption approval by the Lac Qui Parle -Yellow Bank Watershed. District involving the federal exemption. The appeal has been accepted, a pre-hearing conference has not been scheduled because a resolution is being pursued. Wetlands Committee -Darrell Bruggman reported that John Jaschke is going to give a wetlands report and presentation later in the meeting. Cost-Share/Soil Conservation Committee -Dwain Otte reported that the committee did not meet this month. Education and Public Relations Committee -Paul Krabbenhoft reported that the committee met this morning, and reviewed the work they've done over the last year. The work plan was accepted last month and is being forwarded to the BWSR Executive Team. Paul also reported that the State Envirothon has been a very successful program and has been run through BWSR and the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. On a statewide basis, there were 1,200 students involved, 261 teams representing different areas of the state, 27 teams participated in the state Envirothon. The winner of the State Envirothon (for third year in a row) was Rushford/Peterson High School from Fillmore County. The Education Committee has a concern regarding the relationship between BWSR and the MASWCD on staffing and funding for this program. They would like to start seeking corporate sponsorships. On a national basis, the Envirothon is sponsored by Cannon, Inc. The national competition will be held in Mississippi. Another concern is staff time. Priorities need to be defined.