Prior Lake, Minnesota - For the first time in Minnesota, two cities, a watershed district and a tribal government have come together to share management responsibility for a major storm water channel. The Cities of Prior Lake and Shakopee, the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District, and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that was effective on October 1, 2007. The four jurisdictions all use the Prior Lake drainage channel to handle storm water.

Seventeen staff members from the four entities gathered at an initial meeting held Tuesday, December 11, 2007, at the Playworks LINK Event Center. The meeting was hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and chaired by Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District Administrator Mike Kinney.

The group discussed details of the implementation of the MOA including a review of work to date, proposed schedules for design and construction, and budgets for 2008 work. Kinney said, "These four entities have all come together and agreed upon a process of managing the water resources in the area. In particular we've agreed upon the funding mechanism and maintenance of the Prior Lake Outlet Channel."

Staff in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Land and Natural Resources Department worked on this project with their colleagues in the three other jurisdictions for three years. Since the Prior Lake drainage channel is utilized by all the entities, it seemed fair that all take responsibility for its upkeep. The channel is in need of clearing and upgrading so that it can continue to function properly.

Stan Ellison, Manager of the SMSC Land and Natural Resources Department, commented on the meeting, "It is wonderful to see these diverse jurisdictions come together for the mutual good of the greater community and the environment. Storm water is often not much of a concern for most people, until it is in their basement or back yard. By then it's too late to fix the problems. "

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