The 10-year program is described in a report, Minnesota Watermarks: Gauging the Flow of Progress 2000-2010. It was mandated by the Legislature and is a major component of Governor Jesse Ventura's Water Management Unification Initiative. It will be used by the administration to evaluate programs and guide strategies.
Highlights of the report include:
- A statewide section that provides a framework of goals, objectives and measurable indicators;
- Locally developed basin sections that provide an overview of unique environmental conditions and pressures and suggestions for measurable indicators; and
- Maps and graphics to illustrate the state of our water resources.
The plan accomplishes three directives of the Governor's executive order:
- To focus on major water basins, such as the Mississippi, Minnesota and Red River Basins, to recognize the differences in water resources and management choices throughout the state;
- To unify water management through interagency teams in each basin that will work with local entities and the public; and
- To measure results by developing and tracking progress toward a statewide framework of goals and objectives adapted to each basin.
Statewide goals are to improve water quality, conserve the diverse characteristics of state waters, restore and maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems, and provide diverse recreational opportunities. Indicators will measure results at both state and basin levels.
Watermarks contains major differences from the previous 10-year water plan. It includes indicators to measure progress; the old plan did not. The new plan is organized by water basins; the old plan was statewide. The new plan was developed with broad local and public involvement; the old plan was led by staff in St. Paul.
The Environmental Quality Board, staffed by Minnesota Planning, develops policy, creates long-range plans and reviews proposed projects that would significantly influence Minnesota's environment. Minnesota Planning is a state agency that develops long-range plans for the state, stimulates public participation in Minnesota's future and coordinates activities among all levels of government.