Third Generation Plan
The Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions is undertaking development of their joint Third Generation Watershed Management Plan. The watershed planning process is governed by state statute and rule. The state agency responsible for planning oversight is the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). BWSR and state regulations require that this planning process be completed in an open manner, with robust opportunities for public input. As joint powers organizations, it is essential that city technical and management staff and City Councils participate in the planning process as well. This will result in a plan to meet both regulatory and member city needs in a cost-effective manner.
To that end, the Commissions have developed a public input process.
1. Instead of establishing a separate watershed-wide Citizens Advisory Committee specifically for this plan, the member citeis have been asked to charge one of their existing citizen advisory commissions to provide review and input at key steps along the way. City staff and/or watershed commissioners will facilitate discussion, and the Commissions will provide presentation and handout materials for city use. This input is being requested at least three times: early in the plan development; midway as the implementation and education and outreach plans are being developed; and prior to approving the final draft of the plan. To date, two presentations have been developed for review and input by the various CACs. CAC Presentation 1 - CAC Presentation 2
2. In addition, on May 9, 2012 the Shingle Creek Commission hosted a Lake Association Summit to obtain review and input from lakeshore property owners.
3. City managers and their staff also participated in a forum on August 17, 2011, to discuss goals, policies, and financing. Additional meetings may be scheduled as the group desires.
4. As the third generation planning process moves forward, presentations and handouts will be posted on this website and the public will be encouraged to submit comments. In addition, periodic short news updates will be submitted to cities for their use on websites and in city newsletters and to the local press.
5. Survey Monkey will be used to periodically obtain public input at the beginning, middle, and end of the planning process. Questions will focus on identifying issues, evaluating and providing input on management goals, and prioritizing potential actions.
6. As part of a larger, ongoing effort to increase awareness of the watershed commissions and the projects the cities are undertaking, the commissions will be working with local cable TV and the cities to prepare short videos highlighting construction projects, monitoring, and other topics of interest. These will be available on YouTube, with links posted on this website.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Judie Anderson, the Commissions’ administrator, at judie@jass.biz or 763-553-1144.