Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does a watershed district do?A: The mission statement of the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources states "Improve and protect Minnesota’s water and soil resources by working in partnership with local organizations and private landowners."
According to the Washington County web site, “The purpose of watershed districts are to carry out conservation of natural resources of the state through land utilization, flood control, and other needs based on sound scientific principles.”
As you can see the goals set out for the watershed district is different than those for a City or Township. The district’s goals go far beyond simply providing “clean water”.
Q: How did the Carnelian Marine Saint Croix Watershed District come to exist?A: The Board of Soil and Water Resources established the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District in June of 1981. A motivating factor was damage being done to property caused by fluctuating water levels on Big Marine, Big Carnelian, and Little Carnelian Lakes.
In 2001, the Marine Water Management Organization proposed a merger with the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District. For six years discussions were held with Marine, May, Scandia, and Stillwater Township. They agreed to petition for the expansion of the Carnelian-Marine Watershed District. They also decided to include the northeast portion of Washington County that was not within any water management organization’s jurisdiction.
In 2007, the Board of Soil and Water Resources accepted the petition, expanded the district, and renamed it the Carnelian-Marine Saint Croix Watershed District.
Q: What is the difference between a Watershed District and a Water Management Organization?A: The biggest difference most people notice is that a Watershed District can levy taxes. Water Management Organizations receive funding from the taxes levied by Cities and Townships.
Q: Is the watershed district accountable to anyone?A: According to Minnesota State Statute 103B, the Board of Soil and Water Resources is the agency that oversees all watershed districts and water management organizations.
Q: Can my City or Township manage its water without a watershed district?A: Not really. Cities and Townships work in partnership with Watershed Districts. The boundaries of a watershed district overlap municipal boundaries and are defined to include all of the land that has a direct effect on the lakes and streams within its jurisdiction. City and Township boundaries simply do not provide enough control over all of the land that affects water quantity and quality.
Q: How can I learn more about my watershed district?A: There are many ways. Contact a District Manager; Come to a district meeting; or Volunteer to be a part of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
Q: Are there any other internet resources available to learn more?A: Yes. Here are a couple of internet links you might find particularly useful:
What is a Watershed District?
http://mnwatershed.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={1F1ACEE4-3C71-468E-8830-469FA9E1C8CE} About the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources
http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/aboutbwsr/whatbwsr.html Minnesota Statute 103B.102 Local Water Management Accountability and Oversight
https://webrh12.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/statutes/?id=103B.102&year=2007&keyword_type=all&keyword=103D