The Rice Creek Rules!
Every so often, watershed districts revise and update the rules that govern water protection practices and policies. This allows watersheds to keep up-to-date with current best practices and helps ensure healthy and safe water resources for future generations.
In an effort to implement more effective approaches to water resource management, the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) board met on February 13th, 2008 to review new watershed rules. The board approved these new rules, and in doing so have helped usher in a new era of water resource management in the area.
FMR staff worked closely with RCWD staff to shape these new and very strong standards. These new rules essentially govern water quality management practices that will improve lake, stream and wetland health throughout the watershed which drains directly into our Mississippi River. The RCWD staff and board have created new rules that:
- Minimize harmful runoff to lakes and streams
- Encourage low-impact building and road design
- Protect water quality across the watershed (and help keep our beloved Mississippi River clean!)
New technology and innovative construction techniques mean that treating stormwater runoff from rooftops, parking lots and roads will be more effective than ever. The RCWDs adoption of these new rules means that new developments and significant redevelopments will be required to use innovative and effective stormwater pollution prevention measures to help keep our lakes and rivers clean and healthy for generations to come.
For more information on the new rules, visit www.ricecreek.org.
For more information about FMRs work with the RCWD and our efforts to improve local water quality, contact Trevor Russell, FMRs Watershed Program Director, at 651-222-2193 x18 or through our contact form.