On February 2, 2006, the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) released a report titled “Minnesota Wetlands Protection Report” (“the Report”). While we commend the intent behind putting together a comprehensive review of the status of wetlands in Minnesota along with suggested changes, it is unfortunate that with respect to issue involving the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD), the Report is not as accurate as it could have been.

A number of documents have been added to our website in recent days regarding the outlet of Rice Lake in Hugo.

Map Depicting Maintenance of JD-2 (PDF)

Letter of Approval from DNR (PDF)

Rice Lake Elevations (PDF)

Resolution 05-10 (PDF)

The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) took action at its Board Meeting on July 13th, 2005 to move forward as quickly as possible with the installation of a control structure at the outlet for Rice Lake to ensure that the water levels will come back. Additionally, the RCWD will be remedying any adverse impacts to wetlands downstream of Rice Lake, although none are known at this time. This course of action was taken after consultation and with the approval of the DNR. The RCWD remains, as always, committed to the conservation of our natural resources and has a long and successful record of environmental protection. As demonstrated by the quick action of the RCWD Board last night, we fully intend to do whatever is necessary to ensure a vibrant natural world for everyone within the Rice Creek drainage.

Resolution 05-10 (PDF)

DNR and RCWD Press Release 7/14/05 (PDF)

The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) has been attempting to resolve a conflict over drainage and wetlands within the Judicial Ditch #2 (a.k.a. Hardwood Creek) watershed almost since our inception in 1972. While the history of this conflict and the many issues that were addressed are too numerous to go into in this post, a large component of the compromise struck among the various stakeholders, including DNR, was the completion of a maintenance project in March 2005 to eliminate the high points in the ditch system. We did this after extensive study from our engineering consultants and a variety of drainage experts. We also installed monitoring wells throughout the drainage system that have been in place and monitored since 2003 to ensure that any unplanned wetland impacts that resulted from this maintenance could be tracked and accounted for.

The JD-2 Findings of Fact are now available online. You can download them from the Hardwood Creek Rehabilitation project page.

The Hardwood Creek/JD-2 Engineer's Repair Report is now available online. You can download it from the Hardwood Creek Rehabilitation project page.

Errata for this report can also be found on the Hardwood Creek/JD-2 project page.