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DIRECTORY OF CONTACTS

 

There are many local units of government and organizations that you can contact for more information on water resource management, monitoring, regulation, and education. In this section you will find contact information for many of those units within the Twin Cities Metro Region.  For contacts in Greater Minnesota, visit the Board of Water and Soil Resources or call 651-296-3767) 

Looking for information on the condition of a river, lake, or wetland? Seeking grant funding or technical assistance on a water management project? Want collaborators to join in on a joint project? Try contacting the following units of government with water management responsibilities.

Since all levels of government — local, state, and federal — are involved in managing water resources, knowing who to contact can be confusing. If you are uncertain, a good first call is your Soil and Water Conservation District (sometimes simply called "Conservation District"). They will be able to tell you what watershed you live in and what level of government is responsible for your issue of concern.

Water Managers

City Water Managers (stormwater pollution prevention programs) City departments involved in water management vary from city to city. Try Public Works, Planning and Zoning or Environmental Services. Some cities have taken on watershed management responsibilities through joint-power agreements with neighboring cities.

County Local Water Managers (local water management) Every county has a Local Water Manager, who coordinates water management on the county level and oversees sources of state water program funding. Local Water Managers in three metro counties, Carver, Dakota and Scott, also manage watersheds.

Anoka County

763-434-2030

Anoka Conservation Department

Carver County

952-361-1820

Carver County Planning Department

Dakota County

952-891-7018

Dakota County Planning Department

Hennepin County

612-348-6157

Hennepin County Environmental Services

Ramsey County

651-488-1476

Ramsey Soil and Water Conservation District

Scott County

952-496-8054

Scott County Natural Resources Department

Washington County

651-430-6011

Washington County Department of Administration

Conservation Districts

(MN Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts) These local units of government are based on county lines, but are separate from county government. They assist landowners, townships, cities and counties in carrying out projects to reduce soil erosion, stabilize stream banks, establish natural habitats, protect wetlands, monitor water, and reduce runoff pollution.

Anoka Conservation District

763-434-2030

Carver Soil and Water Conservation District

952-442-5101

Dakota Soil and Water Conservation District

651-480-7777

Ramsey Soil and Water Conservation District

651-488-1476

Scott Soil and Water Conservation District

952-492-2636

Washington Conservation District

651-275-1136

Watershed Districts

(MN Association of Watershed Districts) Watershed districts are local units of government based on watershed lines. They often involve more than one county and several cities. Watershed districts are responsible for comprehensive water management and are able to create rules, levy taxes, purchase property and carry out projects to get their work done.

Browns Creek Watershed District

651-275-1136

Capitol Region Watershed District

651-644-8888

Carnelian-Marine Watershed District

651-770-8448

Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District

612-333-7400

Coon Creek Watershed District

651-755-0975

Lower Minnesota River Watershed District

952-496-8842

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

952-471-0590

Nine Mile Creek Watershed District

952-832-2600

Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District

952-447-4166

Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District

651-704-2089

Rice Creek Watershed District

763-398-3070

Riley Purgatory Bluff Watershed District

952-832-2600

South Washington Watershed District

651-714-3729

Valley Branch Watershed District

651-770-1730

Watershed districts exist in Minnesota outside of the metro area. Visit the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Web site for information or call 651-296-3767.

Joint Powers Watershed Management Organizations

(Metro Surface Water Management) These organizations are similar to watershed districts, but are governed differently. They do not have their own government, but rather are cooperative organizations of cities located in a watershed. The best way to contact a Joint Power Watershed Management Organization is through the public works department of a member city (see City Water Management section above).

State Agencies: Four state agencies are involved in water management. Phone numbers given below are for metro area offices:

Minnesota Health Department
(for concerns on drinking-water safety and drinking-water wells)

651-215-0770

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
(for concerns on altering water bodies and water use)

651-772-7900

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
(for concerns on pollution control)

651-296-6300

Minnesota State Duty Officer – Minnesota Department of Public Safety
(to report emergency pollution problems)

651-649-5451
800-422-0798

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