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Water Availability Focus Group Welcome, Introduction, Goals. John Wells and Princesa VanBuren Environmental Quality Board June 9, 2008. Welcome & Introductions. EQB Water Availability Initiative. MPCA board request RGU in ER for variety of projects
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Water Availability Focus GroupWelcome, Introduction, Goals John Wells and Princesa VanBuren Environmental Quality Board June 9, 2008
EQB Water Availability Initiative • MPCA board request • RGU in ER for variety of projects • Need for information broader than individual projects • EQB charge • Interagency work group convened • Work plan created and approved
The Charge • Find a way to put consideration of proposed water uses into a broader framework • Consider standards to address environmental impacts of water uses • Summarize needs and options for collecting additional data
Assumptions • Complete project in six months • Base work on existing data • Project should give public a better understanding of water availability and sustainability • Today’s decisions would benefit from an understanding of the context of future needs
Questions • What do and don’t we know about Minnesota’s ground water resources? • Can we make any estimates on water availability in a broad sense? • What’s our water resources management strategy? • Do we have a sustainable planning strategy? What is it? • Can we identify the data gaps and develop tools to improve our understanding?
The Team • Agriculture – Bob Patton & Ralph Groschen • BWSR – Eric Mohring • Commerce – Ken Brown • DNR – Matt Langan, Jim Japs, Julie Ekman, Mel Sinn & Jeanette Leete • EQB – Princesa VanBuren, Gregg Downing & John Wells • Health – Sheila Grow • Met Council – Chris Elvrum • Minnesota Geological Survey – Dale Setterholm • PCA – Chai Insook, Ralph Pribble & Jess Richards • University of Minnesota – Research Advisors • US Geological Survey – Jim Stark
Outcomes People will understand … • How today’s water permitting, availability and policy decisions fit with the long term view
EQB Water Availability ProjectWeb Page 1. General http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/project.html?Id=19502 2. Focus group http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/resource.html?Id=19614
Future Water Management • Puts water upfront in land use decisions • Manages aquifers & watersheds as one • Is well informed • Accepts limits to growth • Meets ecosystem, community & business needs
Elements I • History and background (April) • Regulatory approach (April) • Understanding of water availability and sustainability (May) • Land use and water supply planning (May)
Elements II • Connections with other activities and studies (May) • Framework for understanding long-term implications and directions (June) • Standards that quantify and address the water impacts (June) • Information needs and priorities (July)