Thank you, Manager Hartmann!

Posted: 01/12/24

In December 2023, the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) said goodbye to a familiar face on the Board of Managers. Manager Jesse Hartmann of Scott County ended his service after nearly eight years of contributions, having successfully held many roles, including Vice President (2016-2018), President (2018-2023), and Manager (2023).  At the December Board meeting, fellow managers and watershed district staff shared their appreciation for Hartmann’s many contributions during a critical time for the LMRWD. Throughout his tenure, the watershed district executed a variety of capital improvement projects, created key infrastructure, and developed strategic plans. Hartmann’s peers noted their appreciation for not only his volunteer time but also his professional expertise, vision, integrity, and respectful nature of his collaboration.

Hartmann first joined the Board in May 2016, inspired by his personal connection to the Minnesota River and his love of fishing and recreation in the area. He recognized the LMRWD’s significance in protecting fragile parts of the ecosystem and the wide range of priceless resources right in the Twin Cities’ backyard. The Minnesota River, at the center of the watershed district, has always been an important part of Hartmann’s life: “All of my life I’ve been on this river,” he stated. From calcareous fens and trout streams to barge navigation and culturally significant resources, Hartmann understood the call to balance modern development with a respect for the natural environment. In addition to his work on the Board, Hartmann made time for fun, celebrating recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, canoeing, and mountain biking. His dedication demonstrates the lasting impact that private citizens can make on their local community.

After his first term, Hartmann became the Board President, a role he held from 2018 to 2023. He continued to provide thoughtful leadership through decision-making for projects, programs, and budgets critical to implementing the LMRWD’s vision to protect priceless resources. “It’s been a great opportunity,” Hartmann recalls. “The people we work with are great people and it’s a lot of fun.”

The LMRWD is charged with managing stormwater, protecting its communities and properties from flooding, and protecting and preserving water quality of its many waterways. A unique component of the Twin Cities watershed district is the maintenance of a nine-foot navigation channel, a critical passage for Minnesota commerce, on the Lower Minnesota River that provides essential services to keep the river navigable by barges. Under Hartmann’s leadership, the LMRWD established a dredge management site, which ensures sediment is removed from the river to keep the channel passable. He oversaw the development of key strategic documents, including the updates to the Watershed Management Plan in 2016, 2018, and 2022 as well as the adoption of the LMRWD’s first rules in 2020, which ensure development in the area will not disrupt natural systems. Hartmann regularly provided guidance on large-scale capital improvement projects, such as the river bluff stabilization of Area 3 in Eden Prairie, MN, and ongoing programs for education and outreach. He was also instrumental during the LMRWD’s 60th anniversary celebration, held in 2020.

As the LMRWD extends its appreciation and best wishes to Hartmann for sharing his talents on the Board of Managers, it remains steadfast in the continued work to protect, improve, and maintain the priceless water and natural resources it is charged with protecting. In January 2024, the LMRWD will welcome a new manager representing Scott County. The Board of Managers will oversee a seamless transition, integrating a new manager to continue Hartmann’s legacy of conservation, collaboration, and transparent leadership.