Public Listening Session Announced - Invitation to Testify Now Open
Posted: 10/24/24
View the Nov. 12 Question and Answer Session for more information.
If you have remaining questions, contact us at: lowerminnriverwd@gmail.com.
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is planning a critical Public Listening Session that addresses the recurring flooding issues within the District. The session will welcome insights and expertise on several key topics that will help identify actionable solutions to implement to mitigate flooding and its impacts. Topics include: scientific causes of flooding, climate change, water storage along the Minnesota River, natural mitigation strategies, financial costs of flooding, and the costs and benefits of proposed solutions.
The LMRWD is focused on gathering testimony that provides clear recommendations for actions that we, as a governing body, can take. This includes, but is not limited to, policy changes, legislative initiatives we should advocate for, projects we should fundraise to support, and programs we should develop. Your participation is crucial as we work together to protect the health and resilience of the Minnesota River and the surrounding communities!
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, January 8, 2025
- Time: 1pm-4pm
- Location: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Education and Visitor Center
3815 American Blvd East, Bloomington, MN 55425
Session Purpose:
The session will focus on collecting diverse testimonies from community leaders, subject-matter experts, and residents regarding the flooding in the LMRWD. We are particularly interested in hearing your feedback on themes such as the scientific causes of flooding, climate change impacts, natural mitigation strategies, and the financial costs of flooding. Your testimony will be instrumental in shaping the LMRWD’s legislative agenda for 2025. By offering your perspective, you will help direct resources and partnerships toward sustainable, long-term solutions for our watershed.
How You Can Contribute:
We are accepting both written and oral testimonies. Written testimonies will be part of the official record and select individuals will be invited to present their oral testimonies publicly during the session. Oral testimony will be limited to five minutes and should focus on actionable solutions that the LMRWD board can implement.
Guidelines for Testimony Submission:
To ensure your testimony is impactful, we have prepared Testimony Guidelines (linked below). These guidelines outline the preferred structure for written testimonies, key focus themes, and specific expectations for oral testimonies. Please review these guidelines carefully to prepare your submission.
Next Steps
- Prepare Your Testimony: Thoughtfully plan your testimony, building on the attached guidelines and emphasizing solutions.
- Submit Written Testimony: Please submit your written testimony by November 27, 2024, 4pm to lowerminnriverwd@gmail.com.
- RSVP: Accepted presenters will be notified in late November. You will be asked to confirm your participation.
Hybrid Participation
While we encourage in-person attendance for those delivering oral testimony, we welcome virtual attendees to observe the session. If you plan to join remotely, a virtual registration will be provided in advance.. Please note that we will not be accepting oral testimony from virtual participants, but written testimony will be welcomed. We do request that attendees commit to attending the entire listening session from 1-4pm to hear from all participants. Your involvement is critical to shaping the future of the Lower Minnesota River Watershed. Together, we can implement solutions that will protect our communities and our environment from the impacts of flooding. We look forward to hearing your recommendations and working collaboratively toward a more resilient future.
If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out via email at lowerminnriverwd@gmail.com.
