RCRCA MISSION

The Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) is an eight county non-regulatory joint powers organization which was established in 1983.  RCRCA works to enhance and protect the Redwood and Cottonwood Rivers by making land use changes that improve water quality. 

Its purpose is to develop and implement plans for the Redwood and Cottonwood watersheds to: 

       protect property, streams and lakes from sedimentation and pollution;     

       maintain and improve the quality of water in streams, lakes and ground water;     

       protect property from flood damages;     

       control erosion of land; and    

       improve recreational and wildlife opportunities.  

These points are summarized in our mission statement:  RCRCA, in cooperation with partner groups and landowners, works to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and enhance recreational opportunities by providing education, outreach, monitoring and technical assistance within the watershed boundaries.  

Members include the counties and soil and water conservation districts of Brown, Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine.  It is governed by a sixteen member Board of Director's that meet monthly.  RCRCA is a recognized leader in watershed management, working with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private foundations to distribute information, and to finance and carry out programs of benefit to the two watersheds.

Cottonwood-Middle Minnesota Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan

The Cottonwood-Middle Minnesota Policy Committee, including the counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) of Brown, Cottonwood, Lyon, Redwood, and Murray, the City of Springfield, the Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) and Area II Minnesota River Basin Projects (Area II),  is holding a Public Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Springfield Area Community Center at 33 S Cass Ave, Springfield, MN 56087. The Public Hearing will be in regard to the draft Cottonwood-Middle Minnesota Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.

Information will be presented and discussed regarding the draft watershed plan for the Cottonwood-Middle Minnesota Watershed, which covers portions of Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Murray, Redwood, and Lyon Counties. This Plan was out for 60-day review from July 1 – August 30, 2024. Any interested person(s) is invited to attend the hearing and submit comments, written or verbal, that will become part of the official public hearing record.  These comments will be considered when making final revisions to the Plan. Written comments will also be accepted in writing by September 17, 2024, to Kerry Netzke at 1424 East College Drive, Suite 300, Marshall, MN 56258, or via email to kerry.netzke@rcrca.com.

A copy of the current draft plan is available at https://rcrca.com/cw-mm-1w1p-planning-grant. A hard copy of the draft plan is available upon request at the Lyon Soil and Water Conservation District at 1424 East College Drive, Suite 600, Marshall, MN during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.