Olmsted County SWCD Candidates
As we’ve learned through this process, our local government has a lot of say in local land use decisions. That’s why it’s important for us to learn about the candidates and their positions, and try to see how their positions align with the community they are representing.
Save the Rookery reached out to the current candidates for Olmsted County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Board, Districts 1 and 2, to ask them a set of questions:
1. When deciding how to vote on issues where current residents’ expressed desires conflict with developer's desires, especially in relation to preserving natural areas and wildlife corridors, what will you take into consideration as you make your decision?
2. Would you describe yourself as “pro-development”? Why or why not?
3. What is your motivation for running for this position? What do you intend to accomplish?
Here are the candidates’ responses:
SWCD, District 1:
Malachi McNeilus:
We did not receive a response from Mr. McNeilus.
James Rentz:
1. In my four years on the Board no project that had a conflict between residents and developers has come up for a vote. Indeed, a recent contract passed authorized the conversion of some land into wetlands. I think any potential contract needs to be investigated thoroughly and taking all positions into consideration. While I hesitate to speculate on hypothetical situations, my main emphasis would be to follow the stated mission of the SWCD which is “to promote more sustainable resources utilization and protection of natural resources in the County.”
2. I would not describe myself as either “pro” or “anti” development. I think development should be done in an intelligent, sustainable manner that takes ecological concerns into consideration while allowing for economic viability.
3. Four years ago I ran for this position out of a long standing concern for the environment. I feel we should all walk as softly as possible on this beautiful planet in order to preserve it as long as possible. Hopefully, the SWCD can accomplish this by continuing many of the projects it is currently involved with and bringing the underlying motivations of protecting the water and rejuvenating the soil into the urban areas.
SWCD, District 2:
William B Richardson, PhD:
1. Wetlands are relatively rare in much of southern Minnesota.We have lost and are rapidly losing wetlands throughout the US. Wetlands function as natural cleansers of freshwater and are biodiversity hotspot. Once destroyed, wetlands cannot be replaced. Because of this I do not support destruction of wetlands or stream corridors for the sake of "development ".
2. I am pro-conservation. Be it soil, water, wetlands or riparian zones. We need these unusual landscape features to maintain our quality of life. If we want and need clean drinking water we need to protect wetlands and stream corridors.
3. I am running for the SWCD position to lend my expertise and experience to help conserve our dwindling resources. My background in nutrient biogeochemistry and river and wetland management gives me an unusual perspective on how nutrients move through fields, wetlands, streams, and rivers. This knowledge should inform mitigation and conservation decisions. I am retired and have time to participate in the conservation process.
Paul Uecker:
Thinking about your questions number 1 and 2 are geared , understandably, for township officials or county commissioners. We on the SWCD board do not have any input on development and we have no authority on planning or zoning. The closest the board might come to a development issue is approving a wetland mitigation. Staff does do wetland delineation for road, park, or building projects, etc however wetlands are pretty strictly governed by technical requirements and statute. We oversee grant funding and cost share contracts with property owners along with helping provide guidance for staff when needed. We have never had a resident ask us to not approve cost share for a waterway, small feedlot fix, well sealing project, native prairie, or any other type of project for which cost share is available and I honestly can't envision why someone would be opposed to any of the projects we oversee.
in response to the 3rd question I simply enjoy it. This year I do have someone running against me and I wish him well. However there have been times when, If I had not filed the position would go unfilled ( I am pretty sure the board could appoint someone to fill a vacancy but you would need to find a person to do it) and we do need a functioning SWCD board of supervisors to deliver project funding to Olmsted county residents.
Interested in reading about the Olmsted County Attorney candidates? Click here!
Photo by Lynn Cornell