Watershed Based Protection Model for Water Planning

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

A first-of-its-kind watershed based protection model was developed that classified each watershed by the amount of protected land (public ownership, lakes, rivers, easements, wetlands on private lands) as well as by risk factor and water plan priority. The development process of this model included an identification of local priority water resources, concerns, objectives, and actions for implementing the plan per MN Statute 103B. The plan also targeted specific surface and ground water resources upon which to focus implementation efforts including the prevention of Aquatic Invasive Species. The county Land Services Department began the process of updating the Local Comprehensive Water Management Plan in May 2012 and received approval from the County Board on July 23, 2013.