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MANKATO — As the Minnesota River floods the Minnecon Park boat/fishing access and erodes Riverside Park, river conservation officials, river advocates and concerned citizens gathered at the Kato Ballroom Thursday to discuss current conservation efforts and futures.
The River Congress, a citizen-led group focused on the natural resources and economic health of the Minnesota River Basin, continues to gain momentum in the Minnesota Legislature.
Minnesota Board of Water and Land Resources (BWSR) Chief Engineer Rita Weaver said last session the state Legislature allocated $19 million to BWSR for water storage projects.
As of 2021, 13 state projects include four climate restoration/additional water storage projects, three for slope stabilization, three for road retention, two storage basins, and one terrace project.
“The application for federal funding is due in July. We hope to obtain more federal matching funds (state funds) to expand our efforts. New projects should improve water quality and reduce peak water flow,” Weaver said.
He urged people to talk to their federal politicians about getting more funding for future drainage projects that address climate change.
Minnesota Environmental Defense Center Water Program Director Carly Griffith spoke about the need to incorporate water quality measures into the design of new ditch systems.
“With the replacement of many aging ditches, we now have a critical opportunity to protect state waters. We will not meet water quality goals until we design new ditches with water quality measurements,” Griffith said.
Minnesota Land and Water Resources Board Executive Director John Jaschke said wetland restoration projects can be improved with more state and federal funding.
“We need to find sites for these projects and persuade people to carry them out on their land. Drainage tiles add profitability to the land, but Minnesota has a public drainage authority that manages the projects. We now have more water storage mechanisms than ever,” Jaschke said.
Dist. 18 Sen. Nick Frentz, D-Mankato, spoke about the value of partnerships in getting things done.
“This is an opportunity to form partnerships and coalitions with landowners, the DNR and the BWSR to pass on clean water to the next generation. Together, there is nothing we can’t do. Bring the truth to the table. We will do a lot more in the same direction,” Frentz said.
Dist. 18A Rep. Jeff Brand, D-St. Peter, said the Minnesota River was the superhighway for Native Americans generations ago.
“We are here to protect the river. We all have an interest in it for many reasons. We need more places to retain water. We need federal partners,” Brand said.
Ted Suss, a volunteer with the Minnesota River Collaborative, said the Minnesota River was measured in 2015 moving eight times faster than it did in 1940, according to Minnesota State University’s Mankato Water Resources Center (WRC).
“Our goal is not to stop agricultural drainage. It is to mitigate (reduce) its harmful effects. The impact of downstream drainage can be addressed if we talk early enough to the drainage authority (a local government entity that oversees drainage systems and water management),” Suss said.
The River Congress is considering establishing a Minnesota River Commission to ensure government accountability and citizen participation in meeting river cleanup goals by advocating and educating people about the river and its cleanliness.
According to the River Congress, at least half of the commission’s members should represent the interests of river basin farmers, business owners, educators and conservationists. Other members would be elected officials or staff from agencies, including MPCA, BWSR, MDA and DNR, already working on the river cleanup. Members must also include representatives from the Shakopee Mdewakanton, Lower and Upper Sioux, and Prairie Island Dakota communities.
The costs of the commissions are estimated at $100,000 a year, including staff, administrative support and travel expenses for the commissioners.
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