Tim Ruzek

Outreach Coordinator Mower County SWCD

Citizens, including representatives of local groups, are being sought for service on a revamped advisory committee for the Cedar River Watershed District that will continue the efforts of Vision 2020 Waterways.

The CRWD is accepting applications through Jan. 10 for its Citizens Advisory Committee, which the state requires for each watershed district. The CAC will provide input on watershed projects as well as assist the district with its work in the watershed.

“Serving on this group will be a great way for individuals and specific groups to help our staff protect and improve the Cedar River State Water Trail and its tributaries,” said Tim Ruzek, CRWD’s outreach coordinator who will work with the committee. “We hope this new arrangement will strengthen partnerships and create new ones that support our local natural resources.”

The CRWD expects at least six CAC meetings per year, with a chair and recorder chosen by CAC members at their first meeting.

About 20 committee members — including five from the general public — will be appointed to one-year terms by CRWD’s Board of Managers, most likely at its Jan. 17 meeting. Once formed, the committee will set its meeting schedule.

In relation to the Austin Vision 2020 initiative, part of the advisory committee’s main responsibilities will include oversight and continuing the goals and projects of Vision 2020 Waterways group started in 2012. Those include the waterways committee’s four priority areas: water quality, water recreation, waterways enhancements and water education.

Ruzek, also co-chair of Vision 2020 Waterways, said the Vision 2020 group reached a point where it made sense to transition it into a permanent home.

Vision 2020 and CRWD have done a lot of work together in recent years, said Greg Siems, director of Vision 2020. CRWD’s capital improvement project — a nearly $8.4 million initiative for water quality and flood reduction — has a $3.2 million grant from The Hormel Foundation, thanks to Vision 2020 Waterways.

The CRWD also has helped further Vision 2020 projects, such as, enhancing plans at Austin’s three dams and adding canoe-kayak access along the Cedar River.

“This made a lot of sense to officially join forces now with CRWD,” Siems said. “Vision 2020 volunteers already have built a strong relationship with CRWD, and we want this work of protecting our waterways and enhancing our natural assets to be sustainable well into the future.”

CAC members will have numerous responsibilities, from raising issues of concern to the public, to overseeing and continuing the work of Vision 2020 Waterways’ goals and projects.

Interested candidates should apply by Jan. 10. Applications are online at www.cedarriverwd.org and the CRWD office, 1408 21st Ave. NW in Austin. Applications and questions should be directed to Tim Ruzek at tim.ruzek@mowerswcd.org or 507-434-2603.

Formed in 2007, CRWD was created by local and state officials in response to the Cedar River Watershed’s worst-known flooding in 2000 and 2004. CRWD’s priorities are reducing flooding and improving water quality.