Ron Harnack, executive director of the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources, came to the meeting to explain the board's decision to reject MCWD's petition to annex Camp Coldwater. The room was rigid with anger. Harnack has been at BWSR 10 years, before that at DNR. A career state administrator, he apparently expected a we-all-have-to-get-along attitude. Harnack said BWSR's decision was based on the hearing, especially land ownership (the suits and military uniforms). His message was let's-all-work-together.

Malcolm Reid: "You made the wrong decision."
-Harnack hinted at inter-agency jealousy.

Eric Evenson: "This doesn't smell right." BWSR-MCWD are in a "strained relationship."

RH: have to rebuild faith & trust--MCWD "you are our shinning star"--let's all move forward cooperatively--"there's going to be 20 more years of construction in this area" around the airport

Other points Harnack made:
-Lower Minnesota River Watershed District has no "rules."
-The DNR is going to monitor Coldwater Spring and Creek and if the flow subsides, MnDOT will stop construction.
-Of course the DNR is enforcement-capable.

Pam Blixt: "The DNR told us they had no such authority."

Jim Calkins:"Once a problem shows up, it's too late. You are assuming you can fix the spring."

RH: "As things come up, things can be adjusted." (no kidding, he really said that)
-MnDOT wants to stop monitoring wells on part of the project (I think some wells in M'haha Park).
-The various watershed districts "have full authority to regulate groundwater" by writing rules "Surface water relates to groundwater."
-Harnack questioned Kelton Barr's research where the flow to the spring looks like its coming from the west, southwest (the direction from which the Native Americans say the groundwater to the Coldwater Springs comes from.)

WHAT TO DO? I suggest checking in with your favorite MCWD person, or with Kelton Barr-- give 'em a call. They are really raw and went into executive session to talk about it.
Blessed Be. Susu