Notice Date: 05/26/2026
Comment Period Closes: 07/24/2026
The Root River Watershed Partnership has initiated a plan renewal amendment of the Root River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for the next 10-year planning cycle and invites all interested stakeholders to participate in this process.
About the Root River Watershed Planning Area
The Root River Watershed (RRW) is located in southeastern Minnesota and spans portions of Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, and Winona Counties. The watershed encompasses a diverse landscape of agricultural lands, forests, karst features, cold water streams, and thriving communities. The planning area for the RRW Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (CWMP) includes portions of the Upper Iowa and Mississippi-Reno watersheds for a total drainage area of over 1.3 million acres (see map below).
Purpose of the Plan Renewal Amendment
The original RRW CWMP was approved by the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in December 2016, with an expiration date of December 2026. The watershed partnership is amending the plan to reflect updated science and data, local needs, and evolving state and federal policies by clarifying priorities, goals, and actions. This process provides an opportunity to:
- Evaluate progress toward achieving previous water quality and conservation goals;
- Incorporate new local plans, projects, and ordinances;
- Validate and streamline priority issues and focus areas based on stakeholder feedback and scientific assessment;
- Enhance inter-agency coordination and implementation efforts.
The amended plan will be submitted to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for approval in Fall 2026 and will be valid for 10 years from the approval date.
Invitation for Public Input on Formal Review
As part of this plan amendment process, all stakeholders – local government units, state agencies, landowners, nonprofit organizations, and members of the public – are invited to submit comments on the draft amended CWMP.
Comments and input should be submitted within the 60-day formal review period ending July 24th, 2026.
How to Submit Comments
Please send your input in writing to:
Nikki Wheeler, C/O Fillmore SWCD
PO Box 45, Preston, MN 55965
nikki.wheeler@fillmoreswcd.org
Electronic submissions via email are encouraged. All feedback received will be considered in the plan amendment process.
We appreciate your engagement in ensuring that the next 10-year Root River Watershed Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan continues to support a resilient and sustainable watershed for all its communities and residents.
