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- s i s ' The Ramsey-Washington Metro Water- shed District was named Watershed District of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and recognized by the Minnesota Association of Watershed District (MAWD) for the outstanding Program of the Year. Both awards were presented to the District at MAWD's Annual Meeting in December at Alex- andria, MN. According to Kent Lokkesmoe, Director of the DNR's Division on Waters, "The DNR gave special recog- nition to the Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District because of their very proactive and innovative approach to protect and improve water related resources. Recently the District was nationally recognized by the United States Environmental Protec- tion Agency with a Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century Award." The District's Public Involvement and Education Program was cited by the watershed districts' statewide organiza- tion for its comprehensive approach in- volving many segments of the popula- tion from schools to developers to residents and developing a core of leaders to be watershed ambassadors. The watershed district is primarily an urban watershed located in the eastern portion of Ramsey County and the western edge of Washington County, incorporating 10 cities and covering 52 square miles that ultimately drain into the Mississippi River. There are 5 major creeks, 11 lakes and thousands of wetlands within the District. District of the Year award from the Department of Natural Resources at the MAWD Annual Meeting. From left, Jack Frost and Robert Johnson, district managers, Kent Lokkesmoe, DNR, Paul Ellefson and Roger Lake, district managers and CliffAichinger, district administrator. "Our programs are multi-faceted with the aim of achieving the healthy envi- ronment and clean water our citizens expect," said CliffAichinger the Watershed District's Administrator. "Through our education program, we strive to help all who live and work in the watershed understand the role we each play in keeping our water clean" The District takes an innovative approach to watershed management and education. It is working on a 5- year project to stabilize Phalen Lake's shoreline, constructed the states' only alum treatment facility to remove phosphorus (the natural nutrient that promotes algae growth in water bod- ies) from stormwater before entering into Tanners Lake and sponsors an annual WaterFest to celebrate clean water, among other projects. For more information about the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, contact District Administrator CliffAichinger at 651-704-2089. -10-