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r ester, s s age by Jennifer Olson and Stuart Grubb, P.G. Emmons & Olivier Resources Promotion of good groundwater management is no longer op- tional for watershed districts - it is essential. Watershed man- agement has traditionally focused on surface water related is- sues such as drainage, flooding, and water quality. Many watershed organizations are finding that groundwater is an important part of the hydrologic cycle and plays a critical role in surface water management. Watershed districts have recently taken on a number of ground- water issues, such as: Protect, preserve, and use natural surface and groundwater storage and retention systems Identify and plan for means to effectively protect and improve surface and groundwater quality Promote groundwater recharge. Recent court cases have affirmed that watershed districts can regulate groundwater, even when "groundwatershed" bound- aries do not correspond exactly with the watershed boundaries. • Ditch design to account for high groundwater levels. "Low impact" development rules to promote groundwater recharge. Understanding groundwater's role in flood prevention. Stormwater management using infiltration. Preventing over-pumping from wells that can threaten surface water bodies. Protection of sensitive groundwater-dependent resources such as springs, fens, and trout streams. Many surface water resources depend on annual groundwater recharge. In order to protect these resources, local recharge areas need to be maintained through minimizing impervious surfaces, using low impact development techniques, and pro- moting infiltration of rainfall. Often, decisions that are made on the landscape impact the groundwater resources below. For example, traditional development that focuses on building impervious surfaces and quickly transferring runoff down- stream does not allow for the recharge of groundwater and replenishment of aquifers. Watersheds have the authority and responsibility to regulate groundwater resources. Minnesota Statutes 103D states that watershed districts are "to provide for the protection of ground- water and regulate its use to preserve it for beneficial pur- poses". Minnesota Statutes 103B lists the following purposes of the metropolitan water management program: What should be the role of watershed districts in groundwater management? Many state agencies are already involved to a limited extent with groundwater issues, .however, watershed districts can fill several additional needs. First, they can gather local information on groundwater resources in the watershed. Second, they can implement rules and permitting programs to preserve and protect groundwater-surface water interactions. Third, they can serve as an additional "watchdog" for state agencies and be an advocate for addressing local issues and citizen concerns. An important first step toward including groundwater in watershed management is to include groundwater protection and management in the Watershed Management Plan and Watershed Rules. A groundwater rule does not need to be specific or complex, but it is an important and useful tool when groundwater issues arise. From there the watershed can develop specific policies or take actions to protect groundwater and surface water resources. eaY° Y'e a t t 1S c i e e iss eat e ee Register for the A Annual Meeting today! 11