Dakota County Manager Wanted

Posted: 11/16/20

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District has an opening on the Board of Managers for a representative from Dakota County.

The appointment will complete a three year term which began on March 1, 2018 and ends on February 28, 2021. Individuals must live within the District. Interested parties can apply directly to Dakota County.  Contact Paula Liepold by telephone at 952-891-7117 or by email at paula.liepold@co.dakota.mn.us. 

If you are interested in:

• Protecting the Minnesota River and its unique natural resources
• Public policy surrounding water resources
• Preserving the environment

Then you may be interested in becoming a Watershed District Manager!

Managing resources on a watershed scale is a challenge: watersheds cover large areas and have many different stakeholders.  Watershed District Managers preside over the business of the District as it relates to the finances of the District, conservation of natural resources, regulation of land disturbing activities, flood control, the protection and improvement  of water resources, the wise use of natural resources through regulation based upon sound scientific principles and protection of the public health, safety, and welfare as outlined in MN Statutes 103B, 103D and 103E.  Additionally the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District works to improve commercial and recreational navigation as the local sponsor for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers maintenance of the Nine Foot Navigation Channel that begins at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and ends at River Mile Post 14.7 in the City of Savage.

The District includes portions of Carver, Dakota, Hennepin and Scott Counties, including areas within the cities of Bloomington, Burnsville, Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Lilydale, Mendota, Mendota Heights, Savage and Shakopee.  Areas of Jacksonville and Louisville townships in Scott County are also in within the District.  Fort Snelling, MSP Airport, Flying Cloud Airport, Blue Lake and Seneca Waste Water Treatment Plants, Black Dog Energy Production Plant and over 80,000 acres of Fort Snelling State Park and U. S. National Wildlife Refuge are also within the boundaries of the District.

The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District is governed by a Board of Managers, which is composed of five managers representing Carver, Dakota, Hennepin and Scott Counties.  Hennepin County is entitled to two managers.  Qualifications to be a manger includes having an interest in preserving the water resources of the District, and improving and maintaining water quality standards. It is helpful to have a background in farming, development, environmental law, engineering, water conservation or public policy, but it is not required.  Watershed District Managers are entrusted by the public to manage resource in an effective and efficient manner and to represent the public fairly and without prejudice.  A manager should be a self-motiviated person who is courteous and tactful in dealing with the public, other board members and representatives from other agencies.  Managers should be service oriented, and fair minded, willing to learn and try new methods in performing tasks, aware of long and short term consequences of decisions and open and truthful in communications.

Board meetings are held at 7:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month, in the County Board Room of the Carver County Government Center, 602 East 4th Street, Chaska, MN 55318.  Special meetings may be held from time to time as well as field trips to view projects, development requests, and other meetings pertinent to the business of the District.  Time commitment varies, but is likely to average 10 to 12 hours per month on Watershed District business.  Managers are compensated $125 per meeting and reimbursed for mileage and other expenses.

Interested persons may apply directly with Dakota County. with the contact listed above.  If you would like more information contact District Administrator Linda Loomis by telephone at 763-545-4659 or by email at naiadconsulting@gmail.com.