2002-01-31_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

BWSR Meeting Minutes December 19, 2001 Page Three Chair Coe attended the EQB meeting on November 15. A decision was made to adopt the findings of fact and conclusions that grants the Great River Energy a minor alteration to their previous construction permit. Chair Coe reported that the EQB received information on Notice of Intent by MNDOT to remove land from agricultural preserve status through eminent domain action to improve Highway 14 in Waseca County. EQB also received an update on the power plant sighting. Chair Coe attended the BWSR forestry committee meeting on November 19 in McGregor, to finalize a white paper regarding the SWCDs potential role in forestry. Chair Coe attended a meeting in Thief River Falls on November 26, regarding Con-Con lands disposition. The main issue was trails for recreational vehicles. Each county will appoint a committee that will make a recommendation to their county, who will then make recommendations to the Legislature through DNR. Chair Coe attended the AMC annual- meeting. in St. Paul, December 3-4. He attended various sessions, which included the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee meeting. He also spent a few hours in the BWSR booth. Chair Coe attended a meeting on December 5 with the BWSR senior management team regarding the Governor's requested budget reductions. Chair Coe participated with the BWSR northern water plan subcommittee in reviewing the Benton, Kanabec, and Sherburne Counties' comprehensive local water plans. Chair Coe attended a public meeting on December 10 regarding the animal agriculture GETS sponsored by EQB. Executive Director's Report -Ron Harnack reported that he attended the MAWD, MASWCD, and AMC annual conventions. Ron stated that a common thread at each of these meetings was the budget. The Governor's requested five to ten percent budget reductions will impact local government as BWSR cannot realize a 10% reduction without cutting grants in one way or another. Ron reported that he, Doug Thomas, and Steve Woods have been attending meetings with the EQB/Water Resources Committee. Discussions at the meetings addressed the state water plan and state water resources reorganization effort. Ron stated that agencies and local governments need to build on their established strengths; the successes in the relationships that have been built, and how the delivery systems meet goals and objectives.