Middle Minnesota Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) - Nicollet County
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is using a watershed approach to protect and restore waters of the state. This approach encompasses all of the 80 major watersheds over a ten year period. The process includes intensive biological and chemical monitoring followed by an assessment report. The assessment results determine which lakes and stream reaches are in need of restoration and which are in need of protection. The MPCA is updating a Hydrologic Simulation Program-FORTRAN (HSPF) model for the Middle Minnesota Watershed to assist with scenarios for restoration activities, identifying stressors, and developing Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) reports. Implementation planning is focusing on identification of priority management zones and development of protection and restoration strategies. Public participation is encouraged throughout the project in conjunction with these biophysical milestones to identify and develop local capacity for engaging in the watershed management process.