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| Home > Natural Resources |
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| Additional Resources |
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If state or local agencies could manage surface waters themselves the job would already be done. In reality, many of the choices that influence surface water management are made locally through land use policies and decisions, determination of whether an area is well or poorly suited for development, implementation and maintenance of measures designed to reduce the impact of development, and other similar actions. Since local policies and practices should be a reflection of the values and concerns of citizens, this becomes the area where organized community groups can have the most influence.
There are several sources of information and technical assistance that citizen groups can use to find out more about the historical and current conditions affecting their water resource, what the “best management practices” might be for their particular situation, and otherwise learn what can and can’t be effectively controlled through regulation. You may also want to download an example of one of the Initiative Foundation’s template Lake Management Plans, which are intended to help local groups define an appropriate citizen role in managing their resources.
Publications
From Policy to Reality: Model Ordinances for Sustainable Development.
MN Planning and the Environmental Quality Board, September 2000.
Minnesota Planning, 658 Cedar Street, Room 300, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-201-2499
Greater Twin Cities: A Region in Transition
Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, June 2006
113 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
800-526-3873
How to Win Land Development Issues
Community & Environmental Defense Services
811 Crystal Place Court, Owings Mills, MD 21117
800-773-4571
Land Protection Options: A Handbook for Minnesota Landowners.
The Nature Conservancy, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Trust for Public Land , and the Minnesota Land Trust. Revised 2nd Edition, 1999.
MN DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-6157
Natural Areas: Protecting a Vital Community Asset. A Sourcebook for Minnesota Local Governments and Citizens.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, 1997.
MN DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-6157
Under Construction: Tools and Techniques for Local Planning
Minnesota Planning Agency
Room 30, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-3985
Welcome to the Commission! A Guide for New Members
Planning Commission Journal
P.O. Box 4295, Burlington, VT 05406-4295
888-475-3328
Organizations
1000 Friends of Minnesota
651-312-1000 / 218-824-5095
Dedicated to addressing the important connections between our development patterns and the health of our communities and the environment. Promotes development that creates healthy communities while conserving natural areas, family farms, woodlands and water.
Association of Minnesota Counties
651-224-3344
Unless a lake or river abuts federal or tribal lands, virtually all land-use choices are determined by county’s or municipality’s local comprehensive land use plan and associated ordinances. The Association’s website contains a list of county websites; many of which have information on city and/or county planning, zoning and the associated ordinances.
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA)
CURA is an applied research and technology center at the University of Minnesota that connects faculty and students with nonprofit organizations, ethnic and racial minority groups, businesses, rural towns, inner-city neighborhoods, suburban communities, local governments, and public agencies in Minnesota
Ducks Unlimited
952-820-8174
Conserves, restores and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people. Their Living Lakes initiative, works to enhance, restore and protect shallow lakes, creating key stepping stones for migrating waterfowl traveling through Minnesota.
Embrace Open Space
A partnership among local nonprofit organizations to protect open space in the Twin Cities region. Supported, in part, by the McKnight Foundation.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Smart Growth Program
202-566-2878
Helps states and communities realize the economic, community, and environmental benefits of smart growth and conservation design by providing information, model programs, and analytical services. They work to remove federal barriers that may hinder smarter community growth and create new resources and incentives for those pursuing smart growth.
Green Communities, Minnesota
800-277-2258
Supports the production of affordable homes with markedly reduced energy costs, use of materials beneficial to the environment, conservation-minded land use planning, and attention to the creation of healthy environments and lifestyles for individuals, children, families, and communities.
Government Training Services
651-222-7409
Offers training opportunities on the legal, civic, and cultural skills needed to serve in elected offices and on Planning Boards and Boards of Adjustment. Frequently offered sessions include, The Basics of Planning and Zoning, Your Role as a Planning Commission Member and Getting the Most Out of Your Comprehensive Plan.
Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts
651-452-8506
Provides educational opportunities, information and training for watershed district managers and staff through yearly tours, meetings and quarterly newsletters. Websites for each of the state's individual watershed management organizations can be assesed through the MAWD site.
Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
651-296-3767
Works through local governments to protect and enhance the state’s soil and water resources by implementing the state’s conservation policies, comprehensive local water management, and the Wetland Conservation Act. Website provides assistance in identifying local water planners or district conservationists, or for those seeking technical assistance.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
888-646-6367
The primary agency responsible for Minnesota’s fish and wildlife resources. Website allows users to search databases for fishery survey or management plan data, water chemistry data, recreational and topographic maps, and other information relative to a specific body of water. Also has valuable information on non-native, invasive species of plants and animals.
Minnesota Land Trust
651-647-9590
Dedicated to permanently protecting the lands and waters that define our communities and enrich our quality of life. The Land Trust is the only statewide organization that extensively uses conservation easements as a preservation strategy.
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
800-657-3864
Provides statewide monitoring of quality, regulatory controls for pollution as well as technical assistance and education regarding pollution control practices. Website includes information on their Citizen Lake and Stream Monitoring Programs, a variety of brochures, lists of the state’s impaired waters and online tools for charting and interpreting lake data.
Minnesota Rural Water Association
218-685-5197
Provides technical assistance to small municipal and non-municipal systems operators, and rural water and wastewater districts with populations less than 10,000. Also provides training across the state to educate water and wastewater operators, community leaders, and elected officials on the latest regulatory information, management, financial stability, operation, and maintenance of their systems.
Minnesota Waters
800-515-5253
Promotes responsible stewardship of our water resources by engaging citizens, state and local policy makers and other like-minded partners in the protection and restoration of our lakes and rivers. Provide watershed education, conduct citizen monitoring programs, support conservation stewardship, influence public policy and empower citizen groups.
National Environmental Education and Training Foundation
Provides information, resources, and learning opportunities to help companies of all sizes and sectors integrate environmental responsibility into their operations in a manner that supports profitable business practices.
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
800-944-0707
Acts to help establish, develop and enhance Minnesota's parks and trails, and to encourage their protection and enjoyment by working with "friends" groups, the state legislature and local government.
Pheasants Forever
320-354-4377
Focuses on protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife habitat through habitat improvement, management, education and legislation. Has played an active role in Farm Bill policy development and implementation, which includes the Conservation Reserve Program.
Trust for Public Land
651-917-2240
Helps conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve community health and quality of life. Pioneers new ways to finance parks and open space; helps generate conservation funding; and promotes the importance of public lands.
U.S. Green Building Council
202-828-7422
A coalition of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy. Develop a variety of programs and services, and forge alliances with key industry and research organizations and federal, state and local government agencies.
University of Minnesota Extension Service, Water Resources Center
612-624-9282
Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
Offers training on appropriate wastewater treatment technologies, from simple operation and maintenance of a septic system, to helping guide a community.
Shoreland Management information
The Extension service, in partnership with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources provides copies of several helpful guides on the website, including “Developing a Lake Management Plan.”
Shoreland Volunteer Program
Program trains citizens in skills associated with water quality monitoring, aquatic plant identification, lakescaping and a variety of other sciences.
Youth Outdoor Corps
Program trains local students to collect water quality data for analysis by certified laboratories, and assist community organizations in evaluating the data.
University of Minnesota Sea Grant Program
218-726-8106
Provides staff, research, outreach, information, and research funds to expand people's understanding about Minnesota's aquatic resources and economies. The Sea Grant Program has outstanding training materials on exotic species.
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