The Commissions

 

What are the Shingle Creek Watershed Management Commission (SCWMC) and the West Mississippi Watershed Management Commission (WMWMC)?

 

The Shingle Creek and West Mississippi watersheds extend over 67 square miles in east-central Hennepin County.  The ten cities in these watersheds jointly manage the water resources in this area through the Shingle Creek and West Mississippi Watershed Management Commissions.  Shingle Creek member cities are Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale. West Mississippi member cities include Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Champlin, Maple Grove, and Osseo.

 

What do the Commissions do?

 

The goal of the Commissions is to enhance the water quality of the water resources within the watersheds. The Commissions seek to carry out this goal through public information and education, analysis of the causes of harmful impacts on the water resources, regulation of the use of water bodies and their beds, regulation of land use, and capital improvement projects.

 

The water management objectives developed by the Commissions are:

 

·          Protect, preserve, and use natural surface and groundwater storage and retention systems.

·          Minimize public capital expenditures to correct flooding and water quality problems.

·          Protect and improve surface water and groundwater quality.

·          Prevent erosion of soil into surface water systems.

·          Establish uniform local policies and official controls for water management.

·          Promote groundwater recharge. 

·          Protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitat and water recreational facilities.

·          Promote and encourage cooperation among member cities.