Redwood County approves submission of Redwood River watershed plan to state agency
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Summary
The Redwood County Board voted unanimously to submit the Redwood River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan to the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the resolution makes county adoption contingent on BWSR approval and sets timelines for local plan alignment and appeals.
The Redwood County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to approve submission of the Redwood River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan to the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The board’s resolution states that county adoption of the plan is contingent on BWSR approval and that the approved plan will replace local water management plans for the geographic area covered by the watershed plan.
Commissioner Corey Theis moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Dennis Groebner seconded and a roll-call vote recorded Commissioners Jim Salfer, Corey Theis, Bob Van Hee, Rick Wakefield and Dennis Groebner voting aye. Environmental Director Nick Brozek presented plan background and the committee’s response to public comments received during the 60-day formal review and the Nov. 10 public hearing.
The resolution cites Minnesota Statutes §103B.101, subd. 14 and §103B.801 and requires the county to notify local units of government within the plan area after adoption. Local units will have 90 days to submit existing water and related land resources plans and official controls to the county for review; the county must review submitted plans within 180 days and identify inconsistencies and measures needed to conform to the watershed plan. If a local unit disagrees with recommended changes, it has 60 days to appeal the county’s recommendations to BWSR.
The board’s action also directs the county to amend existing water and related land resources plans and official controls as necessary to conform to the approved watershed plan once BWSR approval is received. The resolution instructs county staff to follow the statutory timelines spelled out in the adopted resolution and to coordinate required notifications to local jurisdictions.
The vote advances a multijurisdiction watershed planning process intended to align local water management with the One Watershed, One Plan framework and begins the county’s formal implementation process contingent on state approval. No public comment or dissenting votes were recorded on the adoption.