Overall Goal
“The Chippewa River Watershed Project seeks to improve water quality and flooding problems within the Chippewa River watershed while promoting a healthy agricultural, industrial, and recreation-based economy for the region.”

Ten-Year Goals

• To achieve the highest level of water quality attainable for ecoregion streams
• To increase the number of watershed residents taking an active role in enhancing and protecting the Chippewa River
• To continue to have the watershed community of agencies and organizations bonded together as a group working toward the common goal of improved water quality
• To develop the Chippewa River as a major recreational resource within the Minnesota River Basin

Currently there are three full-time staff on board with the project.

Kylene Olson, Executive Director, provides overall coordination for the project and pulls together an inclusive advisory committee of local, state, federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and citizens. She oversees all the financial activity of the project. She is responsible for applying for and administering any grant monies received.

Paul Wymar, Watershed Scientist, heads up all the monitoring activities for the Chippewa River Watershed Project. He’s kept busy collecting water quality and water quantity data, coordinating the large Citizen Monitoring Network and analyzing data. He works hard to collect credible data that can be transformed into usable information for making informed land use decisions.

Jennifer Hoffman, Watershed Specialist, concentrates on education campaigns and special projects throughout the watershed. She convenes the Local Work Group and handles best management practices payments to landowners.  She works hard on creating flyers, pamphlets, presentations and displays that easily convey the watershed message. She targets students and landowners alike.

Advisory
Joe Hauger
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Project Manager

Cooperating Partners
Chippewa County Commissioners, Chippewa County Land and Resource Management/Water Plan, Chippewa Soil & Water Conservation District, Clean Up the River Environment, Douglas County Commissioners, Douglas County Land and Resource Management, Douglas Soil & Water Conservation District/Water Plan, Ducks Unlimited, Grant Soil & Water Conservation District, Kandiyohi County Commissioners, Kandiyohi County Water Plan, Kandiyohi Soil & Water Conservation District, Land Stewardship Project, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Divisions of Forestry, Fisheries, and Water, Minnesota River Watershed Alliance, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Montevideo Wastewater Treatment Plant, Prairie Country RC&D, Pope County Commissioners, Pope County Land and Resource Management/Water Plan, Pope Soil & Water Conservation District, Stevens County Commissioners, Stevens Soil & Water Conservation District, Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, Swift County Commissioners, Swift County Environmental Services/Water Plan, Swift Soil & Water Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service,