Agenda - Council - 06/25/1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNTY OF ANOKA COMMUNITY HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOURTH FLOOR COURTHOUSE ANOKA, MINNESOTA 55303 612-421-4760 Ext. 1390 City o[ Ram~ey 15153 Nowthen Blvd. NW i As you are aware, the 1982 Legislature enacted the Metropolitan Watershed Management Act (Chapter 509 of the 1982 Session Laws). This Act requires that watershed p/arming and management be undertaken in the metropolitan area. One o! the critical dates set forth in the Act is the formation of a watershed m management organization by 3uty l, ( MO) 1995. The formation of a WMO by the elected city and township officials in the m affected area prior to 3uly 1, 1985, can be accomplished by: 1) joint powers agreement between the affected communities with {he submission of the required map to the Water Resources Board; 2) Ch.apter 112 Watershed Districq or 3) city/township consent to the County acting on behalf of the community in forming a joint powers WMO. If city and township officials do not organize a WMO by one o! the foregoing methods by 3uly 1, 1985, the County becomes a WMO for the area not organized and must prepare and implement the required watershed plan. The County has several options for providing WMO services when local communities do not exercise their authority to form a WMO. These planning and implementing options include: I) contracting with an organized WMO; 2) contracting with the Soil and Water Conservation District; 3) contracting with an adjacent watershed district; ~) contracting with a consultant firm; 5) contracting with a city; or 6) hiring additional County staff. In any event, all costs incurred by the County for these services, including contract administration, would be paid for by a tax on all property within the area to which the services apply. City and township officials are afforded a greater opportunity for directing the watershed planning and implementing efforts when they agree to form a local WMO. As such, from a property owner's view, the formation of a local WMO is the most desirable option for the following reasons: Local officials are best informed regarding the unique watershed needs within their community and can assure that the plan adequately addresses their concerns.