The Rice Creek Watershed is both a marvelous and a troubled natural resource. Home to high-quality lakes, streams and scenic beauty, it’s also feeling the effects of human development. Habitat loss, stormwater runoff and agricultural pesticides and fertilizers are contributing to its impairment.

With the population of the watershed expected to grow by 100,000 in the next 30 years, the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) voted unanimously in February 2008 to enact strong protections to ensure that this vital natural resource remains a valuable source of clean water, wildlife habitat and community recreation.

New rules

On February 13, 2008, the RCWD Board approved revised watershed rules that will govern new development in the watershed for years to come. These rules play an enormous role in protecting lakes and streams from pollution. Explore this section and the links to other resources below to learn more about the rules and how they might be further improved.

In this section:

• About the Rice Creek Watershed
• The new RCWD rules
• Room for improvement

Where can I find out more?

Rice Creek Watershed District links

• RCWD home page
• Draft RCWD Rules

Organizational links

• Minnesota Waters
• Metro Watershed Partners

Stormwater education links

• Cleanwater Minnesota web site
• Sprink Stormwater Education
• University of Minnesota Stormwater Education Center
• U.S. EPA Stormwater Management page
• Minnesota Cities Stormwater Coalition