Comprehensive Water Planning
Comprehensive Local Water Management is the adoption and implementation of local water management plans that are based on local priorities. As a general-purpose unit of government, counties, with their planning and land-use authorities, are uniquely positioned to link many land-use decisions with local goals for surface and groundwater protection and management.
The Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources has oversight responsibilities to ensure that local water plans are prepared and coordinated with existing local, and state efforts and that plans are implemented effectively. All parts of Minnesota have state-approved and locally adopted plans in place.
These local plans focus on priority concerns, defined goals and objectives, and measurable outcomes. The Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources provides grants to assist counties in carrying out priority projects and programs in their plans, the Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources provides financial assistance to them through the Natural Resources Block Grant. Additional funding is available to counties, watershed districts, and watershed management organizations in the form of challenge grants, provided through the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
View the Comprehensive Water Management Plan.
View the Comprehensive Water Management Plan Activity Reports.
Stearns County Environmental Services administers the Comprehensive Local Water Plan.