In FY 12, DNR will continue to partner with federal and state agencies as well as local communities to provide technical assistance to development of clean water restoration and protection strategies. This work includes the following tasks: 1) Gathering, analyzing, and sharing existing information. DNR has a wealth of information on stream flows, water levels, climatology, fisheries, habitats, rare species, watershed boundaries, and more, which is used in planning watershed assessments, identifying pollution types and sources, and developing watershed protection and restoration strategies that provide clean water and other ecological benefits. 2) Conducting technical watershed studies. This is generally field reconnaissance and collecting data about stream features (width, depth, bank erosion) that helps scientists develop computer models to predict pollution sources and amounts, as well as inform findings about the causes of water impairments and the best approaches for watershed restoration. The stream measurements - known as stream geomorphology - are also being used in more detailed studies of sediment movement in watersheds and floodplain mapping and analysis. 3) Developing Major Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies. With agency and local partners, DNR staff will participate in a process that uses model results, data synthesis, local input, and professional knowledge to recommend protection and restoration options that will be implemented locally for a given major watershed. DNR staff will also continue to participate in multi-agency partnerships to continually improve the process of assessing watersheds and recommending watershed restoration and protection strategies. Finally, DNR staff will participate in multi-agency review of state and federal grants for Clean Water work.

In FY11, DNR will work with state and local partners to provide technical assistance for development of clean water restoration and protection strategies. The number of watershed strategies being developed are decreasing as MPCA has moved to larger scale watershed projects. However, the quality and depth of the technical assistance will increase and will result in more detailed and prioritized plans.

In FY10, DNR will work with state and local partners to provide technical assistance for development or implementation of clean water restoration and protection strategies.