HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2020-29 - Support for Managing Water Flows in MN River Basin - 02/04/2020CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-29
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR MANAGING WATER FLOWS IN MINNESOTA
RIVER BASIN THROUGH INCREASED WATER STORAGE AND OTHER
STRATEGIES AND PRACTICES
WHEREAS, a fraction the natural water storage that once existed on the landscape in the form
of prairie potholes, wet meadows and shallow lakes in the Minnesota River Basin has been
converted to dry usage; and
WHEREAS, ever-increasing impervious surfaces in municipal areas together with existing and
increased agricultural drainage coupled with significantly increased precipitation patterns is
dramatically increasing water flows in all our streams, lakes and rivers; and
WHEREAS, fast-rising, high water levels in rivers and streams flood adjacent low-lying areas,
erode stream banks, create backups on existing tile and ditch systems, and increase sediment
transfer downstream; and
WHEREAS, many acres of farm fields are flooded each year, sometimes multiple times each
year, by river and stream flooding thereby preventing planting or destroying growing crops; and
WHEREAS, storing water in upstream areas of the landscape will mitigate and slow the amount
of water moving into rivers and streams and reduce flooding and erosion; and
WHEREAS, storing water in upstream areas of the landscape and other strategies such as
improving soil health will mitigate and slow the amount of water moving into rivers and streams
and reduce flooding and erosion; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Congress, a citizen-led group focusing on the natural
resources and economic health of the Minnesota River Basin, is spearheading an initiative to
increase water storage on the landscape using recommendations from the Collaborative for
Sediment Source Reduction (CSSR) study as well as the Management Options Simulation Model
(MOSM) study recommendations in conjunction with the rich datasets available through state
agency monitoring, assessment and conservation targeting (WRAPS, TMDLS, 1 WIP) to support
the case for the need for more water storage as a basis for its initiative; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Congress is planning to introduce legislation at the state and
federal levels to secure significant funding for surface water storage on the landscape in the
Minnesota River Watershed.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Eden Prairie supports the
Minnesota River Congress in its efforts to increase water storage on the landscape and manage
the flow of water in the Minnesota River Basin; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Eden Prairie supports the Minnesota River
Congress in its efforts to secure state and federal funding targeted specifically to increase surface
water storage in the Minnesota River Watershed.
ADOPTED by the Eden Prairie City Council this 4th day of February 2020.
Ronald A. Case, Mayor
ATTEST:
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KathleilPOrta: City Clerk