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Watershed Districts and Water Managements Organizations
Purpose
Watershed Districts are established by petition to the Water Resources Board, pursuant to State Statute Chapter 103D, Watershed Districts. Its purpose is to carry out conservation of the natural resources of the state through land utilization, flood control and other needs based upon sound scientific principles for the protection of the public health and welfare and provident use of natural resources.
Watershed districts may be established for any or all of the following conservation purposes:
- Control or alleviation of damage by flood waters.
- Improvement of stream channels for drainage or navigation.
- Reclaiming or filling wet or overflow lands.
- Water supply for irrigation.
- Regulation of the flow of streams.
- Divert or changing water courses.
- Provide and conserving water supply.
- Provide for the protection of ground water and regulating groundwater use.
- Preserve ground water for beneficial use
- Other purposes as set forth in state statute.
Procedure for appointment
The appointment process as stated in Minnesota Chapter 103D.311 provides that County Commissioners must select district managers from a list of nominees "submitted jointly or severally" by the municipalities that are wholly or partially in the watershed district. Such a list must be submitted to the County at least 60 days prior to the expiration of term of office of a manager. If no list is submitted, the County Board may then appoint a manager through its open appointment process.
No person shall be appointed who is not a voting resident of the watershed district and none shall be a public officer of the county, state or federal government, provided that a soil and water conservation supervisor may be appointed as manager.
A record of all watershed district manager appointments shall be filed with the County Auditor, Secretary of the Watershed District Board of Managers, and Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Watersheds vacancy calendar
Vacancies can occur at any time depending on manager status. The vacancies will always be posted in the official county newspaper. Please call your local watershed for more information, or call the Washington County Office of Administration at 651-430-6001.
| Watershed | Date of vacancy | Application deadline | Municipality letter of support deadline | Next vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown's Creek Watershed District | October 21 | August 12 | August 22 | Vacancies occur annually |
| Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District | June 21 | April 10 | April 22 | Vacancies occur annually |
| Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District | September 23 | July 15 | July 23 | Vacancies occur annually |
| Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed District | February 23 | December 15 | December 23 | 2027, 2030, 2033, etc. |
| Rice Creek Watershed District | January 18 | November 8 | November 19 | 2028, 2031, 2034, etc. |
| South Washington Watershed District | April 30 | February 19 | February 27 | Vacancies occur annually |
| Valley Branch Watershed District | November 13 | September 4 | September 12 | Vacancies occur annually |
Member terms
Watershed terms are for three years. Watershed terms begin on the day of the month on which the district was established.
Location of watersheds in Washington County
Watershed districts located either partially or wholly within Washington County are as follows:
- Brown's Creek Watershed District.
- Carnelian Marine St. Croix Watershed District.
- Comfort Lake - Forest Lake Watershed District.
- Ramsey - Washington Metro Watershed District.
- Rice Creek Watershed District.
- South Washington Watershed District.
- Valley Branch Watershed District.
- Water Management Organizations.