Watershed Planning - Who's Who in Water Resource Management

Many federal, state, and local agencies have a role in managing the rich and varied water resources of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. A list of these agencies is provided below along with a description of the agencies' responsibilities. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all of responsibilities of these agencies, rather a brief description of the agencies' role in water resource management.

Federal Level

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - The USEPA is the agency of the U.S. government that develops federal water quality criteria as well as sets and enforces national pollution-control standards. The USEPA also provides an oversight role for state pollution control agencies.

U.S. Geological Survey - The USGS is a U.S. government agency that is primarily responsible for collecting data on natural resources and the physical environment. This includes information on geological and biological resources, maps and mapping, water resources, and earthquakes and other natural disasters.

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers - In addition to their role in designing and managing construction projects for the U.S. Armed Forces, the USACE also has a role in designing, building, and operating water resource and other civil works projects for the purposes of maintaining navigable waterways and flood protection. The USACE is also the main authority for permitting dredge and fill projects that affect wetlands.

State Level

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - The MPCA is responsible for statewide water quality planning, development of state water quality standards, monitoring environmental quality, and enforcing environmental regulations.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - In addition to their role in managing Minnesota's fisheries, forests, and parklands, the DNR also have a significant role in managing the State's water resources. They issue permits for appropriations of public waters, they issue permits for projects that affect public waters, they also administer floodplain and shoreland management programs.

Minnesota Department of Health - The MDH provides oversight for public water supply systems, develops and enforces state drinking water standards, and administers the well-head protection program. The MDH is also responsible for collecting information regarding the concentration of bioaccumulative chemicals in fish and publishing fish consumption advisories.

Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources - BWSR administers wetland and land conservation programs such as Re-Invest in Minnesota (RIM) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and it provides oversight for local watershed planning.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture - The MDA is primarily responsible for regulating agricultural activities that affect water resources.

Regional Level

Metropolitan Council - With its focus on regional issues, the Metropolitan Council offers a unique perspective on water resource management issues. The Council looks across municipal and county lines, providing a focus on how regional issues of land use, growth patterns, and regional services affect Twin Cities water resources.

Local Level

Watershed Management Organizations - Watershed management organizations and watershed districts are special purpose units of local government whose boundaries generally follow those of a natural watershed. Watershed districts are local units of government that work to solve and prevent water-related problems. The functions of a watershed district may include development and implementation of a watershed management plan, review and approval of local water management plans, regulation of the use and development of land, and construction, repair, improvement, and management of drainage systems.

Cities and Townships - Local TCMA governments (cities and townships) are required to prepare plans to address water quality issues within their borders. These plans are prepared in support of the watershed management plans for the WMOs within which the city or township lies.