A watershed district is governed by appointed local managers who would direct district activities and manage staffing, among other duties. So far, the estimated watershed boundary covers a 427-square-mile area and includes five legal ditches in Otter Tail County.
"Through all this, we're trying to achieve a professional approach to water management," said Commissioner John Blaufuss. "By (getting)...an unbiased, third party opinion, we don't have everybody trying to kill each other over these ditch projects."
 The Wilkin County Courthouse was packed Monday evening with residents who attended a watershed meeting. The county board is considering a watershed board that would help tackle flooding issues and held an informative session for landowners. Wilkin County Commissioner Lyle Hovland, left, talks to John Lindquist, Otter Tail County commissioner, afterward. photo by Jennifer Johnson Advertisement |
Compared to the county board, watershed management could better coordinate these efforts because it can devote itself entirely to the effort, said Commissioner Lyle Hovland, and be more insulated from political interests.
"We're the only area in the Red River Valley in Minnesota that isn't in a watershed," said Blaufuss. "That alone puts pressure on this area to do something."
Residents questioned the cost advantages of a watershed because they can be taxed a maximum $250,000 per year for administration costs. A meeting handout stated annual residential property tax estimates ran $30 for a $100,000 homestead home and $63 for a $200,000 non-homestead ag land property.
Asked if they could raise the levy for more staffers, Pete Waller, a Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources conservationist, said he was uncertain if the law allowed it.
"But in my mind, the trick would be getting the commitment to sustain that over a long period of time," he said.
The discussion also covered the benefits and drawbacks of the boundary itself, jurisdiction control and other alternatives to a watershed.
If a petition is created, a public hearing on the issue is mandatory. Before making the final decision, the state board of water and soil resources must consider if it's intended for public interest and welfare. But whether the county agrees on a watershed, some problems will always persist, officials said.
"I look at (a watershed) as a grassroots government from the ground up," said Bruce Albright, Buffalo-Red River Watershed District administrator. "If you think this is going to be up and running in a year or two, that's going to be one of your biggest pitfalls... drive slow and let this thing play out."
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