ABOUT US
The Brown Nicollet Cottonwood Water Quality Board is a non-regulatory,
multi-county alliance which collaborates with public and private organizations
to protect and improve water quality.
The Water Quality Board has a long history of supporting and protecting
local watersheds, lakes, river corridors, and groundwater protection areas
through education and the implementation of voluntary cost-share assistance
programs. The Board educates watershed residents, farmers, and children
and helps to improve river and watershed management policy. The joint
powers board also cooperates with other federal, state and local agency
officials, researchers, industry and agri-business representatives, and
university personnel. In concert with local SWCD, NRCS, DNR, and related
natural resource agencies, Board staff:
• Monitor water quality concentrations and pollutant loadings on
area lakes, streams, and rivers.
• Target, market, and coordinate Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
and other set conservation program installations.
• Develop soil and water conservation plans for landowners and farmers.
• Conduct topographic surveys, investigations, and research relating
to soil erosion, water quality, sedimentation, feedlot management, flooding,
and management practices needed to conserve water resources.
• Work with cities to develop and implement wellhead protection
plans.
• Demonstrate innovative techniques for water resource protection
and management.
The Water Quality Joint Powers Board was officially initiated and adopted by Brown, Nicollet and Cottonwood counties in January of 1992 by resolution in New Ulm, MN. The board was formed as a response to groundwater concerns by the city of St. Peter and area counties. Two appointed commissioners from each county govern the board and meet biannually. Staff offices are located in St. Peter, Minnesota in conjunction with Brown-Nicollet Environmental Health offices. Currently two full time staff are employed and are actively coordinating six major grant programs. Nearly 90% of the Board’s budget is allocated through private and public grant sources.
To date, active partners include Brown, Nicollet and Cottonwood County: Environmental Services, Water Planning, SWCD, NRCS, Planning and Zoning, Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Board of Water and Soil Resources, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, City of St. Peter, Minnesota State University Water Resources Center, University of Minnesota, Gustavus Adolphus College, Middle Minnesota Major Watershed Group, Blue Earth Consulting, McKnight Foundation, and area agribusinesses.
WHAT WE DO
Monitoring Programs
• Groundwater monitoring
• River and lake monitoring
Technical
Programs
• Drainage research
•
Wetland research
•
Wetland design and
topographic surveys
• Riparian protection
• CRP management plans
• Nutrient management planning
• Private lands management
• GIS development, analysis and management
• Historical air photo archiving and rectification
•
Farm Bill assistance
Educational Programs
• Children’s Water Festival
• College level internship
fall, J-term and spring semester programming
Incentive
Programs
• State revolving low interest loans for individual
sewage treatment systems
• Conservation reserve
program incentives
• Watershed cost-share programs
BOARD MEMBERS
Nicollet County
Judy Hanson
David Haack
Brown
County
Charles Guggisberg
Donald Wellner
Cottonwood
County
John Oeltjenbruns
Norm Holmen
STAFF
Kevin
Kuehner - Project Director/Coordinator
Scott MacLean - Watershed Technician
FUNDING SOURCES
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Clean Water Partnership Grants
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Environmental Partnership Grants
Environmental Protection Agency 319 Grants
Board of Water & Soil Resources Challenge Grants
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Brown Nicollet Cottonwood Water Quality Board
322 South Minnesota Avenue | St. Peter, MN 56082 | Phone: 507-934-4140 | Fax: 507-934-8958