History
SWCD comprehensive plans were included in Minnesota's original district law (1938 Supplement to Mason’s Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 44A Soil Conservation). The purpose of the comprehensive and annual plans is to plan for the management and protection of the resources of the district, see Minnesota Statutes §103C.331, Subd. 11. Additionally, both plans are a statutory requirement for districts requesting funding from the state, see Minnesota Statutes §103C.501, Subd. 2. An alternative to compiling and amending a SWCD comprehensive plan is to adopt the county’s local comprehensive water management plan or a plan authorized under Minnesota Statutes §103B.801.
Plan Requirements
SWCD comprehensive plans:
- include a classification of the soil types within the district as determined by the Minnesota Cooperative Soil Survey.
- identify the areas within the district where erosion, sedimentation, and related water quality problems appear most in need of control methods.
are consistent with the statewide framework water resources plan, the statewide water quality management plan, and the state board's soil and water program plan.
DRAFT SWCD Comp Plan Process and Content Requirement:
SWCD Comp Plan Process and Content Requirement DRAFT (pdf)
SWCD comprehensive plans have a long history in Minnesota dating back to the original district law of the 1930s. Historically, these comprehensive plans, which were staff approved, were a statutory requirement for districts to obtain state funding and serve as a blueprint for local resource protection. In 2024, modifications to Minnesota statue §103C.501 removed this mandatory requirement.
In 2024, a modification to §103C.331 was also made that now requires that if a district chooses to create a SWCD comprehensive plan, the plan must be consistent with the statewide framework provided in Chapter 103B; require a public hearing and a review and comment period prior to being submitted to BWSR for approval.
The draft Soil and Water Conservation District Comprehensive Plan Process and Content Requirements dated October 2026, are being posted through December 4, 2026, for additional stakeholder feedback. Please send any feedback to marcey.westrick@state.mn.us