The District works toward a number of goals identified in the Watershed Management Plan. A summary of goals is listed below; learn more about each goal within the Plan.

Goal 1: Organizational Management

• Cooperate with other governmental agencies on issues affecting the District's resources.
• Provide public information services.
• Perform periodic assessments and program reviews.

Goal 2: Surface Water Management

• Provide strategic resource evaluation and management.
• Develop a High Value Resources Area overlay district.
• Create watershed management standards.
• Promote disconnected stormwater management and low-impact development.
• Develop a cost-share incentive program.
• Lead water quality restoration programs.
• Modify and continue the monitoring program.
• Complete detailed data assessments.
• Coordinate with other agencies and water quality programs.
• Develop steep slopes standard.
• Develop a vegetation management standard/plan.

Goal 3: Groundwater Management

• Provide strategic resource evaluation and management.
• Modify and continue the monitoring program.
• Support wellhead protection efforts.
• Develop infiltration standard.
• Promote conservation and wise use of groundwater.
• Monitor groundwater.
• Perform regional modeling.

Goal 4: Unique Natural Resources Management

• Provide strategic resource evaluation and management.
• Modify and continue the monitoring program.
• Acquire and manage data.
• Provide technical assistance.
• Provide educational opportunities.
• Develop a mechanism for identifying and acquiring high value conservation easements.
• Encourage wildlife connectivity projects that achieve multiple goals, such as water quality improvements and fen and steep slopes protection.
• Develop a vegetation management standard/plan.

Goal 5: Wetland Management

• Provide strategic resource evaluation/management.
• Develop a mechanism for identifying and acquiring high value conservation easements.
• Delegate Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) to LGUs.
• Require LGUs to conduct wetland inventories and complete wetland management plans.
• Review WCA notices as received.
• Develop a wetland standard.
• Develop a vegetation management standard/plan.

Goal 6: Floodplain and Flood Management

• Develop floodplain and drainage alteration standard.
• Develop infiltration and peak flow standards.
• Manage localized flooding.
• Adopt infiltration and peak flow standards.

Goal 7: Erosion and Sediment Control

• Develop watershed management standards.
• Develop steep slopes standard.
• Support the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit.
• Develop erosion and sediment control standard.
• Develop a vegetation management standard/plan.
• Provide streambank and mainstem erosion assessment.
• Continue gully erosion repair.
• Promote and encourage shoreland protection.
• Develop a shoreline and streambank standard.

Goal 8: Commercial and Recreational Navigation

• Promote safety education.
• Manage existing Cargill East River (MN – 14.2 RMP) dredge material site.
• Create a beneficial use plan for dredge materials.
• Develop a funding structure to ensure proper maintenance and improvement along the river.

Goal 9: Public Education and Outreach

• Provide public information services.
• Provide educational opportunities.
• Promote safety education.
• Maintain Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC).
• Develop an outreach program.
• Engage volunteers.
• Provide opportunity for public input.
• Produce scientific studies and work products.
• Promote a variety of education programs.
• Use multiple outlets to distribute information.

Each year, the District reports progress on goals in the Annual Report.