Plans created through BWSR's One Watershed, One Plan program are called comprehensive watershed management plans and are described in Minnesota Statutes §103B.801 .
Program Policies - Operating Procedures, Plan Content Requirements, Boundary Framework, Guiding Principles
Program Resources - Guidance and Templates
- Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan Requirements
According to Minnesota Statutes §103B.801, comprehensive watershed management plans must address:
- Surface water and ground water quality protection, restoration, and improvement, including prevention of erosion and soil transport into surface water systems
- Restoration, protection, and preservation of natural surface water and groundwater storage and retention systems
- Promotion of groundwater recharge
- Minimization of public capital expenditures needed to correct flooding and water quality problems
- Wetland enhancement, restoration, and establishment
- Identification of priority areas for riparian zone management and buffers
- Protection and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities
- Program Purpose
The purpose of the One Watershed, One Plan program is to develop comprehensive watershed management plans that:
- align local water planning purposes and procedures under this chapter and chapters 103C and 103D on watershed boundaries to create a systematic, watershed-wide, science-based approach to watershed management;
- acknowledge and build off existing local government structure, water plan services, and local capacity;
- incorporate and make use of data and information, including watershed restoration and protection strategies under section 114D.26;
- solicit input and engage experts from agencies, citizens, and stakeholder groups; focus on implementation of prioritized and targeted actions capable of achieving measurable progress; and
- serve as a substitute for a comprehensive plan, local water management plan, or watershed management plan developed or amended, approved, and adopted, according to chapter 103B, 103C or 103D.
- History - Local Government Water Roundtable
One Watershed, One Plan is rooted in work initiated by the Local Government Water Roundtable (Association of Minnesota Counties, Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts, and Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts). In 2013, the Roundtable recommended (pdf) that the local governments organize to develop focused implementation plans based on watershed boundaries. In 2016, the Roundtable developed policy recommendations (pdf) for funding plan implementation.
- Transition Plan
The transition plan (pdf) outlines expectations and identifies incentives for local governments to participate in development and implementation of comprehensive watershed management plans statewide by 2025.
- 1W1P Mid-Point Grants
Mid-Point Grants
BWSR offers One Watershed, One Plan Mid-Point Grants for evaluating and amending approved comprehensive watershed management plans developed under the One Watershed, One Plan program. Please see the One Watershed, One Plan Mid-Point Grant Request for Interest (pdf) and the One Watershed, One Plan Mid-Point Reporting profile for more information. Contact your BWSR Board Conservationist before applying.
- Program Evaluation Report
The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) contracted with Management Analysis and Development (MAD) to evaluate the administration of BWSR’s One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) program to date. The results of the process and evaluation were provided by MAD to BWSR via an evaluation report in May, 2022.
MAD’s evaluation explored four primary questions:
- How well is the One Watershed, One Plan program achieving the vision of the Local Government Water Roundtable recommendations?
- What value do planning participants derive from the One Watershed, One Plan program?
- What are BWSR’s contributions to the successes of the One Watershed, One Plan program?
- How can BWSR improve its support for the One Watershed, One Plan program?
Data for the evaluation was collected during fall of 2021 via a survey of 1W1P participants; in addition, MAD conducted interviews and focus groups with a wide range of stakeholders including LGU staff and officials, BWSR staff and leadership, state agency staff, LGU association leadership, non-LGU staff who served on Advisory Committees, and consultants who have worked on One Watershed, One Plan planning projects. Overall, the evaluation process collected data and input from more than 350 participants.
Findings included in the evaluation report indicate that participants generally have positive perceptions of the 1W1P program and feel it is achieving the Local Government Water Roundtable’s vision. LGU stakeholders reported that they’ve been able to maintain control over their comprehensive watershed management plans and feel these plans are driving the actions of their organizations. A full summary of findings can be found in the report’s executive summary.
- Integrating Habitat and Water Quality ("RIM 1W1P")
This program targets RIM projects in priority areas that contribute toward goals in Board approved and locally adopted Comprehensive Watershed Management Plans developed through the One Watershed, One Plan program. In the Twin Cities Metro Area, lands identified in a locally adopted watershed management plan, a county groundwater plan, or a soil and water conservation district comprehensive plan are also eligible.
For more information see: Integrating Habitat and Water Quality ("RIM 1W1P") program web page
