Agenda - Council - 08/24/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-1"ISSISS101 i River Corn a ur tica reawz_uIFM it U11.0 d tM'a + Report: MRCC4 Work Group Meeting April 30, 2010 March 31, 2010 — Neighborhood House at We//stone Center DEPAATNEHTQF VAX AtSWAGES In the first of a series of planned work group meetings, individuals representing a variety of interests from throughout the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Attendees (MRCCA) gathered to discuss the rulemaking process. A total of 63 participants from identified a throughout the 72 mile stretch were welcomed by Kent Lokkesmoe, Director of the broad array DNR's Division of Waters, who extended his thanks to the participants for their time of issues, and the expertise they will be sharing. DNR project staff Jeff Berg and Jenny Shillcox ideas, and began by briefing the group on the history of regulation in the corridor and on the perspectives rulemaking process. Project staff described the role of DNR as responsible for writing rules and overseeing the rulemaking process. The DNR has contracted with the National Park Service (NPS) to propose and describe draft districts and to inventory resources and features. Steve Johnson, NPS, described initial ideas for draft districts, which will be distributed prior to and reviewed at the next round of work group meetings in June. Work Group Roles Defined Project staff explained that stakeholder One of the four workgroups discussing MRCCA issues. work groups are part of an outreach strategy that included meetings with 28 local units of government during January and February, ongoing meetings with DNR regional division staff, and coordination with other local, regional, state and federal agencies to obtain input and expertise throughout the rulemaking process. The work groups, whose members represent diverse interests and perspectives, are valued to help make the rules relevant, workable, and effective. Project staff described the work group role as providing feedback and expertise to rulemaking, and work group members as being empowered to influence and inform their fellow members, respective communities, and constituencies. Minnesota statutes place responsibility for the content of the proposed rules on the DNR Commissioner, and as such, the role of the work groups is advisory only. Work Group Break Out Sessions The participants then broke into their geographic work groups where they introduced themselves and provided comments in an open forum facilitated by DNR and NPS staff. Work group participants wrote down their three top issues and ideas for the MRCCAand then shared them with the group. Facilitators recorded the comments on flip charts, while notetakers captured the discussion. The purpose of the work group exercise was not to come to consensus on issues and ideas, but to identify and understand the full array of issues and ideas in each geographic area as well as corridor wide. At the MRCCA Rulemaking Project - March 31, 2010 Work Group Meeting Report