PROJECT TITLE: Lake Minnetonka Comprehensive Management Plan and Civic Governance Model I. PROJECT STATEMENT A unified, long-term, sustainable management strategy is needed for Lake Minnetonka that links together ecology, fisheries, economics, water quality, recreation, and community values. Currently, the lake is managed in silos with little coordination among agencies and whose programs wax and wane with changes in leadership and funding. The existing water management model is simply not working and has cost the public millions of dollars with little measureable benefit to Lake Minnetonka. Very little effort is put into inter agency coordination or understanding the economic impacts of existing programs, or ecological effects from AIS and climate change. The proposed project will develop a holistic Lake Minnetonka Comprehensive Management Plan based on sound science, collaborative governance, and active and ongoing public engagement. Lake Minnetonka is a large, political diverse, and ecologically complex lake. As such, the proposed plan and planning process will provide and excellent model for sustainable, holistic, large-lake management throughout the state and in the nation. The plan will be created using the “Civic Governance” model developed by the Midwest Active Citizenship Initiative and tested in Ramsey and Cass Counties in Minnesota and the St. Croix, Chippewa, and Red Cedar River Basins in Wisconsin. This approach builds on the relationships needed between government and community and develops the citizen leadership capacities needed to address the challenges facing Lake Minnetonka by moving away from an expert-based, government-agency-driven system, to a partnership-based system made up of citizens throughout the area. The greatest challenge to effective management of the lake is not the lack of scientific expertise or the availability of funding, it is the lack the civic mindset and political skills of our communities (government and residents alike) necessary to work cooperatively, navigate the complex regulatory maze, and to leverage the resources needed to restore and effectively manage Lake Minnetonka. Lake Minnetonka is one of heaviest used lakes in Minnesota and estimated to contribute well over $100 million annually to the region’s economy. For well over 100 years, it has been a national known fishing and recreation destination. Today, aquatic invasive species, climate change, development, and boating trends are changing the lake’s ecology and leading to conflicts among lake users and managers. A single, comprehensive, long-term plan, based on active and informed public and local leadership, is needed to maintain the legacy of Lake Minnetonka. II. PROJECT ACTIVITIES AND OUTCOMES Activity 1 Title: Build Civic Governance Awareness, Capacity and Leadership Description: The civic governance approach is the keystone in the development of all aspects of the Lake Minnetonka Comprehensive plan and its implementation. This involves considerable one-on-one meetings and other outreach by the Lake Minnetonka Association (LMA) and Minnesota Lakes and River Advocates (MLRA) to the governing bodies (there are 14 cities, two counties, and several local and state water management agencies; lake residents and users; and other stakeholders (businesses, civic organizations, sportsmen’s groups, lake shore owners, boating groups, etc.). It also will involve working closely with civic groups such as chambers of commerce, Rotaries, League of Women Voters, and other organizations active in the Lake Minnetonka area. A media relations professional will be contracted to assist with this effort. Part of this outreach will result in finding individuals to participate in what is called a “civic organizing agency.” This group will consist of a cross section of individuals in a leadership capacity (within government, community, profit and non-profit organizations) trained and committed to the civic policy making process (including problem definition, strategic planning, leveraging the resources to advance solutions, working with stakeholders, and insisting and contributing to transparent, accountable decision-making). Participants integrate Civic Governance into what they are already doing to improve the management of Lake Minnetonka in their existing organizational roles. Ongoing training and coaching are an integral part of this process. ENTRF BUDGET: Build Civic Governance Awareness, Capacity and Leadership: $54,000 Outcome Completion Date 1. Create an awareness and understanding of Civic Governance. Project leaders will use social media, web-based public engagement programs, local news media, and meet with officials and community leaders to organize civic capacity and build a civic governance infrastructure as a new approach to policy making. It is estimated to take approximately 420 hours and about 72 meetings over a six month period. 10/1/2020 2. Civic Organizing Agency is formed, trained, and coached on civic governance (420 hrs.) 12/31/2021 Activity 2 Title: Development of a Lake Minnetonka Comprehensive Management Plan Description: A unified, long-term, sustainable management strategy will be developed for Lake Minnetonka that links together ecology, fisheries, economics, water quality, recreation, and community values. The development of the plan will be contracted to a planning professional knowledgeable in civic governance. The Organizing Agency will serve as the steering committee to oversee the development of the plan. ENTRF BUDGET: Development of a Lake Minnetonka Comprehensive Management Plan: $141,000 Outcome / Completion Date 1. Assemble a technical committee: A technical committee comprised of city and agency representatives, business community, recreation/tourism, academia, and sporting groups will be formed. The Technical Committee will be trained in Civic Governance. 10/1/2020 2. Educate the steering committee on technical issues: This will be an ongoing activity during the planning process and will involve presentations from the technical committee and industry professionals. 12/31/2020 3. Gather, analyze and summarize information: The plan will use existing information as possible; however, some new studies and updates will be needed. 7/1/21 4. Governance Analysis and recommendations: Existing plans and data will be analyzed to identify what is working well and where increased coordination and prioritization is needed to effectively manage Lake Minnetonka. Planning, economic analysis, and data analysis will be contracted using a quality based selection process. 11/30/2021 5. Identify and set common priorities and develop goals, objectives and actions. All goals, objectives and actions will be based on the civic governance model. 11/30/2021 6. Publish Plan 1/1/2022 7. Acquire implementing agencies commitments and monitor progress: Ongoing. 6/30/2022 III. PROJECT PARTNERS AND COLLABORATORS: This project will be done as partnership between the LMA and Minnesota Lakes and Rivers Advocates. A result of the project will be a collaborative of the 14 Lake Minnetonka cities, Hennepin and Carver Counties, and local and regional water management organizations. IV. LONG-TERM IMPLEMENTATION AND FUNDING: The proposed plan will provide the strategy for long-term management of Lake Minnetonka and the proposed “Civic Governance” approach will build the relationships needed among government and community to support and fund its long term implementation. V. SEE ADDITIONAL PROPOSAL COMPONENTS: Attached