Annual Gathering for Citizen Water Groups Looks at Funding and the Legislature

State funding for protecting local lakes and streams is the topic of the Annual Metro Summit for Lake and River Groups on November 6, 2013.  The summit will be held from 5-8 p.m. at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins.

Representatives from the Board of Soil and Water Resources, the Three Rivers Park District, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Coalition for Minnehaha Creek Waters will be on hand to talk about the Legacy Fund - the three-eighths percent sales tax passed as an amendment in 2008 that protects water and habitat. Presenters will discuss and take questions on uses and strategies – including on update on efforts to fund AIS prevention.

Sponsored by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District in partnership with the Freshwater Society, this annual event gathers citizen leaders, local and state government representatives and water resource professionals from around the metro area for an evening of learning and networking.

The MCWD and the Freshwater Society are in the seventh year of delivering the Watershed Association Initiative (WAI), a collaborative effort to bring citizens and volunteers within the watershed district the training, connections and support they need to take action on behalf of their local lakes and streams. As part of the WAI, the metro summit extends an invite to residents of the watershed as well as anyone interested in the greater metro area.

John Tuma, a former Republican Legislator and current lobbyist with Conservation Minnesota, will give an update on their efforts to impact policy making and talk about what it takes to get the ear of government leaders.

The cost for the event is $10 and includes dinner. For more information and to register visit www.freshwater.org, or contact Alex Gehrig: agehrig@freshwater.org,651-357-7486.

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. The District is charged by state law to protect, improve and manage water resources. It does so through scientific research and monitoring, public education, cost-share grant programs, permitting and collaborative efforts with the 27 cities, two townships and two counties (Hennepin and Carver) that are in the District. For more information, visit www.minnehahacreek.org.

Freshwater Society

The Freshwater Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring people to value, conserve and protect all water resources. Located in Excelsior, adjacent to Lake Minnetonka, it has a 44 year long history of protecting Minnesota’s water resources. http://www.freshwater.org