Watershed Management Plan Update • Timeline • Survey • Engagement • Meetings
The Brown's Creek Watershed District Management Plan is being updated to guide policies, programs, and projects to be implemented throughout 2026-2035. There will be many opportunities to provide input into this process and provide comment.
What did BCWD accomplish from 2017-2024?
Approximately 25% of the annual budget has been allocated to the District’s Capital Improvement Program to construct projects that have a direct benefit to the Brown’s Creek watershed’s surface water or groundwater resources, allocated to impaired resources:
- 70% to Brown’s Creek
- 15% to Long Lake
- 5% to South School Section Lake
- 10% to all of the other waterbodies
BCWD has been dedicated to getting water resource improvement projects on the ground!
Timeline for updating the Watershed Management Plan
The current watershed management plan runs through the Fall of 2026. District Staff’s goal is to complete the Draft
Plan by April of 2025 so that the Board has the information needed for 2026 budget discussions. This gives the District the remainder of 2025 to complete the formal plan review process.
Survey - Are You Watershed Wise?
Help us understand what the community knows about the water resources in and around Brown's Creek Watershed District! We've put together a survey to gauge your knowledge and opinions. Your input will guide us in engaging the community to protect and improve these vital resources.
Even if you're not sure about all the answers, your participation is key to shaping our efforts for a sustainable future. Let's work together towards a healthier environment for everyone!
Please take this survey (should take no more than 5-10 minutes): "Are you watershed wise?" Survey
Enhanced Engagement
The 2026-2035 BCWD Watershed Management Plan is the guiding document that the Board of Managers will use for future program and project implementation. It should reflect the vision and goals of the Board of Managers as well as the members of the community and local watershed partners.
This Public Consultation Plan was developed with the intention to guide engagement and outreach activities during the Watershed Management Plan Update. It builds on information gathered through the Enhanced Watershed Partners Engagement process to recommend initial approaches geared towards removing barriers to participation and expanding the reach of engagement on watershed planning. Woven throughout and detailed through appendices are deliverables from this enhanced engagement process.
Enhanced Watershed Partners Engagement process documents:
Meetings
See calendar for more details on upcoming events
- June 10, 2024- Citizen Advisory Committee - provided overview of management plan update, input on plan issues and education & outreach
- July 9, 2024 - Plan Update Kick-off Meeting at Stillwater Public Library (224 3rd St N, Stillwater, MN 55082)
2-4pm: Presentation for previous plan accomplishments and issues of emerging concern
4-6pm: Open House with light refreshments and structured for one-on-one conversation and input - August 12, 2024 - Citizen Advisory Committee Meeting - provided input on the issues of Education, Outreach and Stewardship, and Recreation
- August 20, 2024 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting – provided input on the issues of Stormwater Management, and Stream Management
- October 22, 2024 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting (2-4pm at 455 Hayward Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128) -Ahead of the upcoming TAC meeting on October 22nd, 2024, please review the excerpt from our current watershed management plan regarding Lake Management and Wetland Management. As you review these Issues, we would like you to think about the following questions to prepare for the meeting:
- How are people impacted by this issue? What has changed since the last plan?
- How should we consider managing this Issue going forward? What actions help us to address the Issue?
- How should we approach monitoring this Issue?
- How can we make this Issue resonate with people?
- Agenda_TAC_October 2024
- December 17, 2024 - Technical Advisory Committee Meeting (2-4pm at 107 Bridgewater Way, Stillwater, MN 55082) -At this meeting, we will be asking for your input on issue topics of Floodplain Management and Groundwater Management. We would like you to review the Floodplain Management and Groundwater Management sections of the current plan and think about the following questions to prepare for the meeting:
- How are people impacted by this issue? What has changed since the last plan?
- How should we consider managing this Issue going forward? What actions help us to address the Issue?
- How should we approach monitoring this Issue?
- How can we make this Issue resonate with people?