Rainy River Headwaters-Vermilion River One Watershed, One Plan

Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan

The Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan was approved by the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources on April 24, 2024, after a 20-month planning process that involved multiple agencies, community groups and members of the public. There is now funding available to address priority items identified in the Plan, with the intent to maintain and improve water quality of this pristine area beginning in mid-June 2024.

Final Version Documents

60 Day Review Draft

Public Hearing Draft

Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed Plan Overview

Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed Stakeholder Meeting

Oct 24th Stakeholder Meeting recording:

Local partners kicked off the start of a comprehensive watershed management planning effort last year and have been working to incorporate stakeholder ideas along the way. You are invited to learn more, share your knowledge and learn what’s next!

Questions addressed:

What are the resource concerns in the area?
How will work be completed towards addressing protection and restoration in the area?
How might your stakeholder group be involved in plan implementation?

What is a 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 in the RRHW/VR One Watershed One Plan?

The Rainy River Headwaters-Vermilion River 1W1P partners include North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservationist District, St. Louis County, Cook County and Soil & Water Conservation District, and Lake County and Soil & Water Conservation District. 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.

Words used to describe the Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed from kickoff events and surveys

Want to know more about the planning process?
For more information on local water planning or the One Watershed One Plan program, please contact Becca Reiss at becca@nslswcd.org or any members of the Planning Committee.

Want to know more about the watersheds?
Check out these story maps with some detail information about water quality in the watersheds

Next Policy Committee Meeting is scheduled for: Friday, July 12th from 10am – 12pm with location TBD

2024 RH-V Watershed Policy Committee Meeting Dates (April-June cancelled)

RHV Policy Committee 2023 Meeting Calendar (No December Meeting during 60-day review)