Vermillion River Corridor Plan

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2011

Recognizing that the Vermillion River operates as a complex natural system and as a place where many contrasting interests converge, Dakota County worked with stakeholders to create a shared vision for the River’s future – The Vermillion River Corridor Plan. In a context-sensitive manner, the Corridor Plan integrates multiple benefits: improving water quality, protecting riparian and upland wildlife habitats, and providing outdoor recreation in a way that demonstrates that these goals can be compatible and create a framework for more sustainable economic development. The plan recognizes that much of the corridor will remain in the hands of private landowners, and that change will occur over time. Each of these landowners has a role in what happens to the river and in the corridor. The plan developed information tools to assist landowners with enhancement projects and best management practices. It even operates as a guide for local jurisdictions and agencies, and provides a foundation for cooperation and strategic investments to protect and enhance the corridor. Although tangible results are a difficult to produce due to the fact that the plan was only implemented in October 2010 and was purposely designed with long-term goals in mind, such results are not entirely absent. For example, the pre-planning (which began in 2006) and the ongoing development have already resulted in a new 200-mile multi-purpose water quality, habitat and recreational greenway system as part of the most recent County park system master plan; the creation of the County’s new Riparian Buffer Initiative and the receipt of more than $3.5 million in State funds for use on more strategic and effective land protection and restoration; and the development and enhancement of relations with traditional and non-traditional partners of the County government.