Minnesota Agencies

The Minnesota river basin joint powers board was established under section 471.59 for the purpose of coordinating efforts to improve water quality in the Minnesota river and achieving the goal of making the Minnesota river suitable for fishing and swimming by the year 2005.

The Board's duties include: the coordination of comprehensive cleanup goals for the Minnesota river by coordinating the work plans of the 12 major watersheds and the member counties of the joint powers board, state agencies, and the University of Minnesota in cleanup efforts and submission of periodic river cleanup plans for submission to the governor and the legislature.

At the Legislative Conference in March, 1995, with Ken Albright from Nicollet County convening, there was unanimous support from all 38 counties to do something about the Minnesota River. A steering committee was formed and met for several months to come up with the by-laws, joint powers agreement which was signed by all 38 counties, and the mission statement.

Governor Arne Carlson and a delegate from each of the 38 counties signed an official proclamation on July 12, 1995 at the confluence of the Blue Earth River and the Minnesota River in Mankato. The Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board was born.
(paragraphs taken from the Board's website, please see: Minnesota River Board History)

2009 Minn. Laws Chap. 49 changed the Board's name from the Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board to the Minnesota River Board.

The 2009 lanugage included in the Board's duties a biennial report highlighting the results and progress of projects in the 12 major watersheds of the Minnesota River Basin; and periodic basinwide water quality improvement plans.

An article from the West Central Tribune on December 16, 2013, announced that the Minnesota River Board members voted to disband by April 2014. The Board recommended the state look at creating a new entitiy with a stable funding source to replace it.

Upon acceptance of the joint powers agreement, each member county that agrees to join the board shall have one county commissioner as its delegate to the board and one county commissioner as an alternate.