If you missed our recent meeting, here are the highlights of what was discussed:

October 18, 2022 ‌

FUNDING COMMITMENTS  Information was presented regarding current funding commitments of the Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB) for Flood Damage Reduction (FDR) and water quality projects that are in various phases along with annually funded programs and one-time allocations. Current commitments include the following: FDR Projects:.......................................................................$27,664,093.06 Water Quality Program: Base Funding...........................................................$    494,143.85 Competitive Funding.............................................. $ .3,311,043.60 Annually Funded Programs/One-time Allocations:........$  2,578,073.88 TOTAL Remaining Funding Commitments:....................$34,347,354.39   Below is an illustration of current RRWMB funding commitments as of October 2022. Annual operating expenses are not included in funding commitments.

DRAINAGE ISSUES UPDATE Louis Smith, RRWMB legal counsel connected into the meeting electronically to provide an update on an Amicus Curia brief that was filed with the Minnesota Court of Appeals regarding Polk County Ditch 39 in support of the Red Lake Watershed District.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Lisa Frenette and Ian Marsh, RRWMB Legislative Liaison’s, connected into the meeting electronically to discuss legislative updates. Information was shared about the upcoming elections, RRWMB 2023 legislative priorities, and related legislative matters.

NORTH DAKOTA AGRICULTURAL WEATHER NETWORK (NDAWN) Daryl Ritchison from North Dakota State University was in attendance, and he provided information about NDAWN and how it can be used relative to flood forecasting. It was indicated that the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has requested Clean Water Funds to further expand NDAWN into the Red River Basin of Minnesota and other portions of the State of Minnesota.

EXTENSION REQUEST – KLONDIKE CLEAN WATER RETENTION PROJECT A three-year extension was approved for the Two Rivers Watershed District (TRWD) to continue development of the Project. Several issues were discussed by the TRWD with a primary delay being wetland permitting and the approval of wetland mitigation plans by state and federal agencies.

TECHNICAL PAPER NO. 1 – DEVELOPING WETLAND PROJECTS TO MANAGE FLOOD WATER IN THE RED RIVER BASIN OF MINNESOTA The RRWMB Managers held extensive discussion about the draft Paper that was developed by the Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee of the Flood Damage Reduction Work Group. The Managers determined that additional review should be conducted, and the Paper was referred to the RRWMB’s Technical Advisory Committee.

DRAFT 2021 RRWMB ANNUAL REPORT The draft report was approved for electronic distribution through Constant Contact. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION – CONTRACT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT The RRWMB Managers approved the start of the hiring process for contract administrative assistance, with the start date being January 1, 2023. The RRWMB’s 2023 Operating Budget includes $36,000 for contract administrative support.

Meeting Highlights

Next RRWMB Meeting Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. in Ada, MN at the RRWMB Office.

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