Governance Overview

What is a Watershed District?

A watershed district is a local, special-purpose unit of government established to solve and prevent water-related issues. There are 42 watershed districts in Minnesota. Watershed districts are:

Authorized by the Minnesota State Legislature through the Watershed Act (MN Statutes Chapter 103D)
Governed by a Board of Managers appointed by the county board of commissioners within the watershed district (MN Statutes Chapter 103D)
Required by state law (MR 8410.0150) to submit an annual report to the Board of Water and Soil Resources, the commissioner, and director

Our District

The Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District (RPBCWD) has boundaries based on the watersheds of Riley, Purgatory, and Bluff creeks. The District was established on July 31, 1969, by the Minnesota Water Resources Board acting under authority of the Watershed Law. Learn more about the history of the RPBCWD.

Five Board of Managers govern the District with policies, procedures and bylaws established by the Governance Manual. General operations of the district are performed by professional staff led by an administrator. Managers are advised by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

View the Governance Manual (adopted December 2024)View Resolution 24-072 to adopt the revised Governance Manual

The RPBCWD Board of Managers maintains three subcommitees, each made up of two board managers who in turn provide recommendations to the full board. The Governance Committee oversees additions and changes to RPBCWD's governance manual and currently meets on a monthly basis. The Personnel Committee meets as needed to discuss personnel matters such as staffing needs and benefits. The Audit and Finance Committee meets as needed to discuss financial policies or the annual audit process.