Government Shutdown Should Not Impact Watershed District

A potential state government shutdown will likely not have a significant impact on day-to-day operations for the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.

"We will stay open and conduct business as usual," MCWD Spokeswoman Telly Mamayek said.

Mamayek said a prolonged shutdown could slow projects that require state approval, but said that impact will be minimal in the short-term as most of the district's current projects are in the design phase.

As the watershed district's work is funded primarily through its own tax levy "with a very small amount coming from state funding," it would not be forced to halt regular operations .

For the most part, a DNR shutdown would not have a rollover impact on the district.

"Some grant-related activities also could be affected, but the District doesn’t have any major programs that depend on state grants in 2010 and 11," Mamayek said. "In addition, regulatory action would be delayed if there is a wetland violation that needs state involvement, but that is not foreseen at this time."

Mamayek said the watershed district is keeping appraised of the latest developments regarding the potential shutdown and is "concerned about the effect of a shutdown on the district's residents," though any sort of direct impact on the organization is not anticipated.

Patch Editor Katelynn Metz contributed to this report.