Purpose
The Drainage Management Team (DMT) is an interagency team comprised of staff members from state and federal agencies as well as academic institutions that meet regularly to coordinate and network regarding agricultural drainage topics.
History
The DMT was formed in 2008. BWSR provides coordination and facilitation, based on 2008 appropriation language and Section 103B.101, Subd. 13. It meets bimonthly to inform and coordinate between members regarding primarily agricultural drainage, related topics, and associated science. The DMT works to develop and share common understandings about pertinent science from research to conservation practice implementation, and how to best apply those understandings in the work of its members and their clientele. This includes correlation to applicable state and federal programs, university research, and outreach.
Team Membership
- Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)
- Minnesota State University - Mankato, Water Resource Center (MSU – M, WRC)
- United States Corp of Engineers (USCOE)
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
- United States Geological Service (USGS)
- University of Minnesota (UMN)
- USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- USDA – Agricultural Research Service (USDA – ARS)
Charter and Scope
- Foster interagency communication, coordination and collaboration regarding drainage topics and issues related to agriculture, natural resources, economics and associated aspects of Minnesota’s resource sustainability. This includes promoting consistent interpretation of technical information regarding drainage and compatibility of associated programs and policies.
- Coordinate with technical experts of other drainage stakeholders, as applicable.
- Provide coordinated drainage and associated BMP information, education, outreach, and other assistance to Minnesota drainage authorities, other agency staff, LGUs, landowners and their technical advisors, and other stakeholders.
- Promote the development and implementation of Multipurpose Drainage Management in Minnesota in conjunction with Conservation Drainage (CD) and Drainage Water Management (DWM) techniques and practices.
- Provide technical information to the Drainage Work Group and other entities for the purposes of informing technically sound decisions.
- Help to update and maintain the Minnesota Public Drainage Manual.
- The DMT will work to understand various perspectives while working toward consensus.
Outcomes/Deliverables
- Team members, Minnesota drainage authorities, agency staff, LGUs, landowners and their technical advisors, and other stakeholders are well informed about drainage issues, drainage research, including multipurpose drainage management, conservation drainage, and drainage water management BMPs.
- Current and consistent information and education/outreach is made available and/or provided to drainage stakeholders for multipurpose drainage management, conservation drainage and drainage water management practices and programs
- Drainage management moves in the direction to better address multiple goals, including agricultural production and sustainability, erosion reduction, flood damage reduction, water quality, wildlife habitat improvement, and targeting of investments where drainage management has the greatest impact.
- Drainage System BMP chapter development for the Minnesota Public Drainage Manual.