Stream Protection Informational Session

 According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, several local waterways,  Wolf Creek, Heath Creek, Rice Creek (Spring Brook), and the Cannon River, are on the Minnesota list of impaired waters. In view of this, The Bridgewater Township Planning Commission invites the public to a review of stream protection measures at their meeting on Saturday, February 13, from 8:30-11:30 at the Bridgewater Town Hall, 500 Railway Street, Dundas.

 A committee of citizens, including scientists, farmers, residents and local governmental officials, has been meeting weekly since July to discuss stream health and protection.  They have produced a report and recommendations based on data and presentations from the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, St. Olaf College faculty, Department of Natural Resources, the Vermillion Watershed Project, and the River Falls, Wisconsin storm water project.

 Questions the presentation will address are: What do we know from the Spring Brook Committee report? How do we assess the health of a creek? What kind of planning measures have other communities used to protect the quality of waterways?

 The Northfield City Council is undergoing a revision of the land development code, and will likely adopt stream protection regulations as part of this process. The work of the committee and the collaboration of the local jurisdictions to inform the citizens and the public officials can be an important step in the direction of improving the health of our local waterways.

A copy of the report is attached.