The Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) is a proactive and forward-thinking organization dedicated to the management and conservation of the Rice Creek Watershed in Minnesota. RCWD covers approximately 186 square miles of urban and rural lands in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties. The area includes 28 towns, cities, and townships. We are guided by the RCWD 2020 Watershed Management Plan, a comprehensive document that outlines our vision and strategies for effective watershed management. We accomplish these goals through the following activities: Managing lakes, streams, groundwater and wetlands Monitoring water quality Promoting best management practices to improve water quality Maintaining public drainage systems Inventorying natural resources Issuing permits / inspecting construction sites Administering the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Educating residents about the environment and what they can to help Helping municipalities fulfill EPA mandates