Watershed Summit 2014: New Management Strategies & Targets for Water Quality & Quantity

There are momentous land use decisions playing out across Minnesota and the Nation for which a better understanding of surface and subsurface water interaction is essential.  The state has identified the need for Groundwater Management to assure sustainabile aquifers to meet Minnesota's water needs and for Nitrogen and Nutrient Reduction Strategies and targets to halt pollutant loads to our rivers and the Gulf.

Groundwater management impacts for potential mining projects, silica sand mining, well intervention and adequate water for business, irrigation and drinking will touch all of us.  Moreover, Water Conservation Planning will be critical to sustainaing adequate aquifer levels.  Full-functioning wetlands serve as sponges during major storms and for release during droughts.  Is the State factoring the significant functional values of Wetlands into mitigation plans?

Please join us February 22nd for the 2014 Watershed Summit at Normandale Community College.  This 9th Summit sponsored by the Izaak Walton League begins with Perry Jones, USGS, on groundwater; Jason Moeckel, DNR, DNR's Groundwater Management Plan and Water Conservation Program; Wayne Anderson, MPCA, on Nitrogen and Nutrient Reduction Strategies and LGU perspectives from involved stakeholders. 

The afternoon will focus on Wetland monitoring for water quality and quantity by MPCA & DNR followed by the NE Wetland Mitigation Strategy from Doug Norris, Mark Gernes and a NGO perspective from Jill Bathke, MCEA.  Your questions and perspectives are welcome to guide Minnesota toward robust strategies and targets.

Tickets are $15 for students and $30 for general admission if you purchase your tickets before 2/17/2014.  On or after 2/17/2014 tickets are $20 for students and $35 for general admission.  Ticket price includes lunch.

For the draft agenda, view info and order tickets, go here: http://minnesotaikes.org/Izaak/Watershed-Summit-2014.html

Volunteer help is needed at the registration desk in the early part of the morning.  Please email if you can volunteer 2-3 hours on Saturday morning - bushlakeikes@gmail.com