For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 11, 2012

/ Contact: / Alex Gehrig, Freshwater Society Program Manager
Phone: 651-357-7486
Email:

Citizens Invited to Learn About Stormwater Management at Forum in Hopkins

On March 6, 2013 the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) in partnership with the Freshwater Society will host The Rundown on Runoff, a forum for citizens interested in learning more about the history of rainwater runoff management and what it means for the health of local surface waters.

This free public event will be held at 6:30pm at the Eisenhower Community Center, 1001 Highway 7, Hopkins. Participants will learn how the current infrastructure that manages runoff (e.g. storm sewers and ponds) came to be, how they are managed and the implications for local lakes, streams and wetlands.

“Understanding how the physical structures work is complicated enough, but knowing how they were built, who makes the decisions and what entities are responsible for all of it can be even more complicated” notes Alex Gehrig of the Freshwater Society. “We want to provide an opportunity to talk more about it as more individuals and groups are becoming interested in the issue.”

Leslie Yetka, MCWD Education Manager, will provide the background on the different ways runoff is managed. Before coming to the District in 2011, Leslie worked with the City of Burnsville as a water resources specialist and will share her background in both the technical and public policy sides of protect.

In addition, Liz Weir of the Mooney Lake Association and current member of the Medina City Council will provide her perspective on local government and citizen collaboration.

For more information on The Rundown on Runoff forum contact Alex Gehrig: , 651-357-7486.

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District

Minnehaha Creek Watershed District covers approximately 181 square miles, including Minnehaha Creek, Lake Minnetonka, the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Minnehaha Falls. The District is charged by state law to protect, improve and manage water resources. It does so through scientific research and monitoring, public education, cost-share grant programs, permitting and collaborative efforts with the 27 cities, two townships and two counties (Hennepin and Carver) that are in the District. For more information, visit www.minnehahacreek.org.

Freshwater Society

The Freshwater Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring people to value, conserve and protect all water resources. Located in Excelsior, adjacent to Lake Minnetonka, it has a 44 year long history of protecting Minnesota’s water resources. http://www.freshwater.org

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