WATERSHEDS
WHAT IS ONE WATERSHED ONE PLAN?
Local governments have worked hard over the years to protect and restore our water resources through planning efforts within each county. In recent years, the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources encouraged local governments to partner with neighboring counties to work across jurisdictional boundaries and plan resources on a watershed wide scale. This process is called One Watershed One Plan (1W1P).
WHO IS INVOLVED?
The Rainy River-Rainy Lake 1W1P partners include Koochiching Soil & Water Conservationist District, Koochiching County, the City of International Falls, and the City of Ranier. The effort will be led by the Steering Team made up of staff from these offices. Our Policy Committee, made up of elected officials from the County and SWCD Boards will approve the content of the plan, serve as a liaison to their representative governing entities and act on behalf of their constituents. An Advisory Committee will also be formed, to provide input to the Policy Committee.
ABOUT THE LOWER RAINY AND RAINY RIVER-RAINY LAKE WATERSHEDS
Situated along Minnesota’s northern border, the Rainy River-Rainy Lake/Lower Rainy River (RR-RL) Watershed is a unique watershed compared to its neighbors. The RR-RL is known for its unique shape as well as its wetland and peatland covered landscape. The RR-RL also
contains much of Minnesota’s only National Park, Voyageurs National Park. Although the RR-RL is a sparsely populated watershed outside of International Falls, the rivers, lakes, and forests of the watershed draw residents from across the state to its pristine environment. For the purposes of the One Watershed, One Plan program (1W1P) these two watersheds are joined into one watershed, the RR-RL. These two watersheds have similar land types and deal with similar issues that can be adequately addressed as one watershed.
POLICY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
| Name | Committee Role | Organization/Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pete Kalar | Chair | City of International Falls, City Councilor |
| Destry Hell | Vice-Chair | Koochiching County, Commissioner |
| Jenn Lahmayer | Secretary | City of Ranier, Councilor |
| Eldon Voigt | Member | Koochiching SWCD, Board Supervisor |
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
| Name | Organization/Role |
|---|---|
| To Be Determined |
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
| Name | Organization/Role |
|---|---|
| Pam Tomevi | Koochiching SWCD, District Administrator |
| Matt Gouin | Koochiching County, Environmental Services Director |
| Sherril Gautreaux | City of Ranier, City Administrator |
| Jason Fisher | City of International Falls, Engineer (Bolton & Menk) |
| Chad Severts | Board of Water and Soil Resources, Board Conservationist |
PUBLIC MEETINGS
POLICY COMMITTEE MEETINGS
PAM TOMEVI
District Administrator
218-283-1174
pam.tomevi@co.koochiching.mn.us
MATT GOUIN
Environmental Services Director
218-283-1156
matt.gouin@co.koochiching.mn.us
SHERRIL GAUTREAUX
City Administrator
218-286-3311
cityofranier@frontiernet.net
JASON FISHER
Engineer (Bolton & Menk)
218-729-5939 ext. 3683
Jason.Fisher@bolton-menk.com
CHAD SEVERTS
Board Conservationist
218-770-9620
chad.severts@state.mn.us