Dean Spaeth

The board discussed and took action on several permits for culvert installations and subsurface drain tile, with some applications tabled for field reviews or pending additional information. Updates were provided on the Perley Flood Control Levee Improvement Project, including financial coordination and future concrete repairs, as well as property acquisitions and the status of the South Branch Wild Rice River Grade Stabilization project. Additionally, the board reviewed PWI updates, addressed a public inquiry regarding a culvert inventory list, and approved financial reports and manager per diems.

The key discussion topics for this meeting include monthly board approvals (agenda, bills, and financial report), open microphone session, permits and complaints review. Unfinished business items are the Perley Flood Control Levee Improvement Project-Phase 2-Grade Raises, Acquisition Properties, and South Branch Wild Rice River Grade Stabilization. New business features the One Watershed One Plan, Citizen's Advisory Committee matters, a Minnesota Watersheds Legislative Update, Manager Appointments, an LCCMR Application for the Rural Floodplain Modeling/Mapping, and the Fischbach LWRR Request. Financial items include approval of Managers Per Diems/Expenses, and review of previously approved conferences.

The meeting agenda, which was approved with an addition regarding Land Rent, included the approval of billings and the monthly financial report with quarterly transfers between accounts. Permit applications were tabled pending review or further information. Several complaints regarding culvert replacements, restoration work, and ditching projects were also tabled pending review of restoration work. Unfinished business involved updates on the Perley Flood Control Levee Improvement Project, including a directive to staff to send a letter regarding outstanding payment owed by the City of Perley, updates on acquisition properties, and a discussion on the South Branch Wild Rice River Grade Stabilization project, which failed to pass a motion to postpone. New business covered updates on Public Waters Inventory (PWI) items, a failed motion to apply land rent to the general budget, approval of official newspapers, approval of an Envirothon Request Policy, adoption of a Resolution Appointing a Responsible Authority for Data Practices Policy, approval of Personnel Manual changes, approval of Auto Pay Vendors, authorization for internal fund transfers, and approval of Manager per diems. Attendance at future legislative meetings was also approved.

The Board of Managers meeting included approval of the agenda with an addition for a Citizen's Advisory meeting, and approval of billings, including two specified additions. The financial report dated November 30, 2025, was approved. During the Open Mic segment, the South Branch Rock Riffle Project was discussed, and the contract was tentatively awarded to Zavoral Construction pending DNR permit approval. Several permit applications were reviewed, with one tabled due to landowner concerns, one denied based on downstream impact and outlet concerns, one continued to be tabled, and three approved with specified conditions or unconditionally. Updates were provided on existing complaints, resulting in authorization to send letters regarding required restoration work with deadlines set for mid-2026. Unfinished business covered updates on the Perley Flood Control Levee Improvement Project-Phase 2, ongoing acquisition properties appeal, ditch and project maintenance plans, and the White Earth Regional Water Taskforce. New business included the approval of a 5% annual COLA increase and health insurance contribution increase for staff for the next three years, an update on the MN Paid Leave Program, input from the 1W1P Policy Committee meeting, and acceptance of the highest bids for five available agricultural land parcels. Attendance approval was granted for the FDRWG Conference in March 2026.

The Wild Rice - Marsh River Watershed One Watershed, One Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to manage the watershed by embracing its ecological, economic, and cultural diversity. The plan focuses on achieving plentiful crops, fostering soil health, reducing flood damages, and protecting lakes and rivers. Its implementation is voluntary, utilizing modeling tools (PTMApp) to target practices for sediment reduction and aims for stacked benefits including water storage, flood damage reduction, water quality enhancement, and habitat improvement. Key strategic pillars address flood mitigation, soil health, stream and riparian habitat enhancement, ditch maintenance, sediment and phosphorus reduction, increasing water storage, prairie and wetland restoration, and drinking water protection across various planning regions.