Agenda - Council - 02/13/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Metro Loca/ Water Management Task Force Report Dec~mber 15, '/989 IV. Summary of Testimony The following is a brief overview of the formal testimony and written input con- sidered by the Task Force: Vadnais Lakes Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO) A presentation was given by Mr. James Johnson, VLAWMO president. The VLAWMO involves six cities and was founded in 1983. Four meetings were re- quired to draft a joint powers agreement. Mr. Johnson emphasized that the VLAW- MO board was actively involved with the planning process tn order to maintain control over the plan. He further stated that the involvement of local and state agen- cies in the planning process was essential. The administrative budget for the VLAW- MO was $5,000.00 last year and was provided by the member mumcipalities according to the formula: 20% by population, 40% by valuation, and 40% by area. Projects are paid for by the cities that they serve. All members of the VLAWMO serve without compensation. M. Johnson reported that the member municipalities are now completing their local water plans. He also stated that "509" has worked in the VLAWMO, and that interlocal communication between the cities has improved a great deal. Credit River Watershed Management Organization (CRWMO) A presentation was given by James Robinette, CRWMO president. It is a primari- ly rural WMO consisting of four cities and three townships. They have completed their plan, but have not yet received state approval. Robinette stated that the Metropolitan Water Management Act is great because it causes people and municipalities to get together to discuss their joint problems. He said that the primary problems in starting the WMO were local animosities and the question of funding the planning process. The limited statutory authorities of townships limited their ability to obtain funds. The cities provided the money to get the planning process started. Robinette reported that the lack of early direction on WMO plan content was one of the biggest battles in the planning process. Another problem was dealing with farmers in the CRWMO who won?, accept conservation regulations. He also stated that there were flaws with the "509 law: it doesn't mandate a deadline for the com- pletion of the local plans; townships need a better way to get money; better guidance on the plan requirements is needed; and staff is needed for the state agencies to allow the review of plans in a time]), manner. Robinette also felt that there still ex- ists a "vast area of disagreement" among different people about how far a WMO plan must go. Page