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Joint WMO Mtg. /Member Cities R ` February 21, 1990 Page 2 foresaw that eventually this Joint Powers Agreement will have to be changed. A recent Report of the Metropolitan Local Water Management Task Force was presented to the Governor and State Legisla- ture describing what they saw happening to the State's water management. As a result, a 23 -page bill, authored by Senator Gregory Dahl, will be sent to the Legislature with specific recommendations affecting this WMO and member cities. Details were outlined. Pearson reported that the Metropol- itan Council wants to operate and control the watershed districts and will be drafting and introducing their bills to the Legislature. Pearson drew attention to packet resolution No. 90 -1 requesting support and cooperation of member cities regarding the management of water resources within the Lower Rum River Watershed. It is the commission's request that the four cities not only understand the WMO's actions, but request assistance in establishing uniform standards to protect the water in the Lower Rum River WMO. Pearson went on to explain that once the Board of Water and Soil Resources approves the Water Management Plan, the law requires each city to adopt its own Water Management Plan. As part of the local plans, it will be the responsibility of each member city to carry out the responsibilities this WMO gives you. It is this board's intention to retain control at the local level. Pearson explained the difference between a watershed district and a water management organization. A watershed district is a separate unit of government with separate powers. A WMO operates under a Joint Powers Agreement with members, at this time, appointed by the member cities. In answer to Orttel's query, Pearson stated according to the Task Force's recommendations, if the WMO's or watershed districts are not managing their resources properly or making capital improvements, their control may be turned over to the county. However, the Lower Rum doesn't have any major capital improvements. Orttel expressed concern with the use of different categories or classifications to describe various wetland areas by the LRRWMO and by the DNR. He feared the confusion would cause problems. Orttel added should the LRRWMO begin reviewing each development project that comes in, this will be a fourth level of government for them to have to go through in order to do a project. Schrantz confirmed that this board is another level of government mandated by the State Legislature with the respon-