Principles
Watershed approach: The state of Minnesota has adopted a watershed-based management strategy, fostering heightened collaboration and a shared perspective for planning and executing water improvement activities. This method transcends county or city boundaries, and follows topographic and hydrologic boundaries. This emphasizes partnerships among state agencies, Tribal Nations, local governments, and various stakeholders that share a connection with a common water body.
“One Water”, integrated water management: The metro region is perceived to be water-rich, and that water holds immense value. Integrated water management, also known as "One Water" addresses water as it moves from water supply, through wastewater systems and into surface waters. The ultimate goal of integrated water management is sustainable, high-quality water in the region.
Use existing systems: The metro region has a robust water planning and wastewater operations system with many actors – community water and wastewater utilities, watershed management organizations, and regional, county, state, Tribal Nations, and federal agencies. Coordination and collaboration between these groups is necessary to protect our water.
Metric-based policies: It is hard to quantify policy success without accountability. We will provide policy options with associated metrics and measurable outcomes where possible, to demonstrate the effectiveness of our water policies and actions.
Objectives
Climate: The region’s waters and water services are protected from and made resilient to the ongoing and future effects of climate change.
Investments: Water protection, planning, management, and infrastructure investments are optimized to ensure public and ecosystem health are fully protected now and for future generations.
Health: Natural waters, source waters, water services, and infrastructure are managed, restored, and enhanced to protect public and ecosystem health that ensures a high quality of life in the region.
Equity: The benefits of clean and abundant water and water services are defined by local needs and environmental context, accessible, and justly shared by all residents and communities.