Watershed Summit 2014: New Management Strategies & Targets for Water Quality & Quantity

There are momentous land use decisions playing out across Minnesota and the Nation for which a better understanding of surface and subsurface water interaction is essential. The state has identified the need for Groundwater Management to assure sustainable aquifers to meet Minnesota’s water needs and for Nitrogen and Nutrient Reduction Strategies and targets to halt pollutant loads to our rivers and the Gulf.

Groundwater management impacts for potential mining projects, silica sand mining, well intervention and adequate water for business, irrigation and drinking will touch all of us. Moreover, Water Conservation planning will be critical to sustaining adequate aquifer levels. Full-functioning wetlands serve as sponges during major storms and for release during droughts. Is the State factoring the significant functional values of Wetlands into mitigation plans?

With heavier storms and longer, deeper droughts, will new programs, policies and plans provide us with watershed solutions for water conservation, ground/surface water quality, and wildlife habitat? What do we know and how will we get there?

NEW STATE INITIATIVES FOR BETTER WATER MANAGEMENT.pdf

Jill Crafton, Minnesota Division IWLA & Brad Redline, MDA

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WETLAND CONSERVATION ACT IMPLEMENTATION FOR NO-NET LOSS

Speakers' Bios